ASL Classifiers Flashcards

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Study Notes

Classifiers in ASL

Classifiers are specialized pronouns that represent size, shape, orientation, and quantity of objects or people.
Example: CL:G indicates an amount of liquid, while CL:3 represents a vehicle.
Classifiers enhance clarity and detail in communication by using specific handshapes linked to categories of objects.

Types of ASL Classifiers

Descriptive Classifiers: Describe physical attributes (e.g., CL:B representing a box).
Semantic Classifiers: Convey meanings beyond physical attributes.
Locative Classifiers: Indicate the position or location of objects (e.g., CL:A for a house).
Body Classifiers: Show actions performed by body parts (e.g., CL:V for looking around).
Instrument Classifiers: Represent tools held during actions (e.g., CL:S for a hammer).
Body-part Classifiers: Specify actions linked to particular body parts (e.g., tapping with CL:B).
Element Classifiers: Represent natural elements and their motions (e.g., water movement).
Plural Classifiers: Indicate multiple entities and their arrangements.

Location Classifiers

Location Classifiers utilize handshape placement to denote specific locations of objects.
Examples include CL:5-claw for a city and CL:A for a house.

Classifier Verbs

Classifier verbs illustrate how objects perform actions, using particular classifiers in context.

Size and Surface Classifiers

Size Classifiers indicate dimension and depth (e.g., CL:G for layers).
Surface Classifiers showcase textures and surfaces (e.g., CL:B for walls).

Classifier Handshapes

Whole Entity Morphemes: Represent entire objects like vehicles or people.
Surface Morphemes: Show flat or surface qualities, such as walls or tables.
Instrumental Morphemes: Demonstrate object handling or manipulation.
Depth and Width Morphemes: Represent thickness or dimensions of objects.

Classifier Predicates

Classifier predicates combine movement and handshape to convey actions or states of objects (e.g., "car drives by" with CL:3).
Classifier predicates may include movement roots that describe stative states, processes, or contact elements.

Agreement and Structure in Classifiers

Clarity often necessitates first identifying the object before employing a classifier.
Classifier usage requires agreement between verbs and the objects they reference.

Kinds of Movement Roots

Stative Descriptive: Movement without physical change (e.g., depicting a flat surface).
Process: Movement indicating action or dynamism in the subject (e.g., depicting walking).
Contact Root: Indicates location without movement, like "the cat is sitting."

Gesture Classifiers

Gesture Classifiers involve physical actions that convey meanings (e.g., stomping a foot or giving a hug).

Understanding Classifier Types

The classifier system in ASL is rich with handshapes that indicate various actions, properties, and relationships between objects and their contexts.

Description

Explore the world of American Sign Language through our flashcards on classifiers. These special pronouns help describe size, shape, and orientation, making communication more effective. Learn how to use different handshapes to represent objects and their interactions.