ASL Grammar: Listing Methods

Listing in ASL (Ranking)

• ASL uses a variety of methods to convey the concept of "listing." These methods are distinct from spoken language ordering and are often more visually descriptive.
• Instead of strictly sequential ordering, ASL often prioritizes the visual representation of the relationship between items in the list.

ASL Grammar Rules for Listing

• There are no fixed grammatical rules specific to listing. Instead, ASL relies on visual cues, body language, and classifiers to show the relationship between items. The placement, movement, and the use of classifiers often describe the sequence rather than being strictly numerical.
• The visual and spatial relationships show the list's order and/or emphasis.
• The speaker's body position and facial expressions can clarify the meaning and provide non-verbal context for the sequence, e.g., the speaker might lean in on important details. Eye gaze can imply connections between items, emphasizing particular relationships.

Fingerspelling Techniques

• Fingerspelling is not inherently tied to creating a list, however it can represent single items to be included in a list.
• Fingerspelled words are usually signed in a relatively straight-forward, linear manner. There's no special fingerspelling to denote a list item in a formal way.
• The placement of the hand for fingerspelled words should reflect the context of the surrounding signs.

Classifier Constructions

• Classifiers significantly impact the organization and presentation of lists. Different classifiers signal different types of items and their spatial relations.
• Example: If describing a list of items placed on a table or shelf, classifiers used to represent objects.
• In particular, classifiers help show the order, relative positions, or other relationships between list items.

Numerical Signs in ASL

• While ASL has numerical signs, the use of numbers to express a ranked list differs from spoken language practices.
• Numerical signs are not inherently a primary means to indicate list position.
• Sometimes, to indicate a specific rank or position on the list, the number is explicitly signed. This is less common than relying on other visual and spatial methods.

Contextual Usage of Listing / Organizing Information

• The specific method used for expressing a list in ASL depends heavily on the context of the conversation.
• The nature of the items being listed, e.g. people, places, or objects, will influence the method used for representing the list.
• The speaker should use spatial relationships, gestures, and facial expressions to highlight the relative importance of items on the list or show connections across items. The setting can also affect how the list is constructed.
• For instance, describing items on a shelf will differ from narrating an event sequence.
• The speaker must be mindful of how they use space, body language, and classifiers to effectively communicate the ordering and emphasize the essential features of the listing.