ASL: What are the Five Parameters of Sign?

American Sign Language (ASL), a complete, complex language, employs visual-manual modalities to convey meaning. Linguists studying ASL have identified five crucial components that differentiate one sign from another; these components are analogous to phonemes in spoken languages. Sign parameters represent the foundational elements influencing the meaning of each sign. Gallaudet University, a distinguished institution for deaf and hard-of-hearing education, emphasizes the importance of mastering these parameters for fluency in ASL. Comprehending what are the five parameters of ASL, which include handshape, palm orientation, location, movement, and non-manual markers, is essential for both accurate expression and effective interpretation in signed communication.

Unveiling the Structure of ASL: A Linguistic Exploration

American Sign Language (ASL) is far more than a series of gestures. It is a fully developed, natural language with its own unique grammar, syntax, and cultural context.

Like spoken languages, ASL possesses a complex and structured system, making it capable of expressing abstract ideas, nuanced emotions, and complex narratives.

The Importance of Linguistic Analysis

Understanding ASL requires a deep appreciation for its linguistic components. These components work together to create meaning and allow for effective communication.

Linguistic research plays a crucial role in unveiling the intricate structure of ASL. It is through rigorous analysis that we can move beyond the surface level of individual signs and appreciate the underlying rules and principles that govern the language.

The Five Parameters: Cornerstones of ASL

The foundation of ASL's structure rests upon five key parameters. These parameters are not merely decorative elements. They are the fundamental building blocks that differentiate signs and convey meaning.

These parameters are:

• Handshape
• Location
• Movement
• Palm Orientation
• Non-Manual Markers

Each parameter contributes to the overall meaning of a sign. A subtle change in any one of these parameters can drastically alter the meaning being conveyed.

Thesis: The Significance of the Parameters

The five parameters of ASL are fundamental components that distinguish signs and reflect the language’s complex structure.

These parameters have been meticulously studied and refined by pioneers like William Stokoe, Carol Padden, Ted Supalla, and Ronnie Wilbur. Their contributions have been instrumental in establishing ASL as a legitimate field of linguistic study.

By exploring these parameters, we can gain a deeper understanding of ASL's richness, complexity, and expressive power.

Pioneers of ASL Linguistics: Building the Foundation

Understanding ASL as a legitimate language with its own intrinsic structure and grammar is a relatively recent development. This understanding owes a great debt to the dedicated researchers who challenged prevailing assumptions and meticulously documented the complexities of ASL. Their work not only legitimized ASL but also paved the way for a deeper appreciation of its linguistic richness.

William Stokoe: The Revolution Begins

William Stokoe is widely regarded as the father of ASL linguistics. His groundbreaking work in the 1960s at Gallaudet University fundamentally altered perceptions of sign languages. Prior to Stokoe, sign languages were often dismissed as mere pantomime or simplified versions of spoken languages.

Stokoe's most significant contribution was his demonstration that ASL possessed its own systematic structure and grammar, distinct from English. He meticulously analyzed thousands of signs, identifying three key parameters, which are now five: location (tab), handshape (dez), and movement (sig).

This analysis, published in his seminal work "Sign Language Structure," provided a framework for understanding the underlying structure of ASL signs. It showed that signs were not arbitrary gestures but rather combinations of these distinct parameters, analogous to phonemes in spoken languages.

Stokoe's work was initially met with skepticism from the academic community. However, his rigorous research and compelling arguments gradually gained acceptance. His impact on shifting perceptions of sign language from gestures to a legitimate linguistic system cannot be overstated. He effectively legitimized ASL as a field of serious linguistic inquiry.

Contemporary Influences: Padden, Supalla, and Wilbur

Building upon Stokoe's foundation, a new generation of linguists further refined and expanded our understanding of ASL. Carol Padden, Ted Supalla, and Ronnie Wilbur are among the most influential contemporary scholars who have made significant contributions to the field.

Carol Padden: Culture and Language Intertwined

Carol Padden is renowned for her work on Deaf culture and its inextricable link with ASL. Her research explores the cultural values, social norms, and historical experiences of the Deaf community, demonstrating how these factors shape and are reflected in the language itself.

Padden's work emphasizes the importance of understanding ASL not just as a linguistic system but also as a cultural artifact. She has explored how ASL serves as a vehicle for transmitting cultural knowledge, identity, and values within the Deaf community.

Ted Supalla: Morphology and the Parameter System

Ted Supalla has made significant contributions to the study of ASL morphology, which examines how signs are formed and combined to create meaning. His research has shed light on the intricate processes of sign formation, including the use of derivational and inflectional morphology.

Supalla's work has had a direct impact on the refined parameter system. His detailed analysis of signs has demonstrated how changes in parameters can alter the meaning and grammatical function of a sign.

Ronnie Wilbur: Unraveling ASL Phonology

Ronnie Wilbur has contributed significantly to research on ASL phonology and syllable structure. Her work explores the underlying sound system of ASL, identifying the basic units of sign articulation and how these units combine to form meaningful signs.

Wilbur's research has helped to clarify the complex rules governing sign formation and pronunciation, providing a deeper understanding of the phonological structure of ASL. This includes research on handshape and its impact on various signs.

The Five Pillars: Understanding ASL's Core Parameters

Understanding ASL as a legitimate language with its own intrinsic structure and grammar is a relatively recent development. This understanding owes a great debt to the dedicated researchers who challenged prevailing assumptions and meticulously documented the complexities of ASL. Their work not only validated ASL as a distinct linguistic system but also laid bare the core components that govern its meaning: the five parameters.

These parameters—Handshape, Location, Movement, Palm Orientation, and Non-Manual Markers—serve as the foundation upon which every sign is constructed. To truly grasp the nuances and sophistication of ASL, it is essential to delve into each of these parameters, understanding how they function independently and in concert to convey meaning.

Handshape: The Foundation of Form

Handshape refers to the specific configuration of the hand(s) used to form a sign. This parameter is crucial because even subtle changes in handshape can drastically alter the meaning of a sign.

Think of handshape as the equivalent of a phoneme in spoken language; it is a fundamental building block.

For instance, the signs for "name" and "chair" share similar locations and movements, but the distinct handshapes differentiate them. The sign for "name" uses the "H" handshape, while the sign for "chair" uses a "flat B" handshape.

Location: The Place of Articulation

Location, also known as the place of articulation, designates where the sign is executed in relation to the body. This can be on the head, torso, or in neutral space in front of the body.

The location of a sign is just as crucial as the handshape.

Changing the location of a sign, while maintaining other parameters, will invariably result in a different meaning.

Consider the signs for "summer" and "ugly." Both signs utilize the "1" handshape and a similar movement, but "summer" is signed on the forehead, while "ugly" is signed in front of the nose.

Movement: The Dynamic Element

Movement refers to the motion of the hand(s) during a sign. This parameter encompasses not only the direction of movement but also the path, speed, and repetition of the motion.

Movement can be linear, circular, or involve specific actions like wiggling or tapping.

The movement parameter is often the most visually striking aspect of a sign.

The signs for "teach" and "learn" illustrate the significance of movement. Both signs utilize similar handshapes and locations near the forehead, but the direction of movement differs. "Teach" moves outwards from the head, while "learn" moves towards the head.

Palm Orientation: The Directional Cue

Palm Orientation specifies the direction the palm of the hand is facing. This parameter can significantly impact the meaning of a sign, even when other parameters remain constant.

Palm orientation can be facing inward, outward, upward, downward, or to the side.

The correct palm orientation is key for accuracy and clarity.

For example, the signs for "mine" and "yours" utilize the same handshape, location, and movement, but the palm orientation distinguishes them. "Mine" is signed with the palm facing towards the signer, while "yours" is signed with the palm facing towards the person being addressed.

Non-Manual Markers (NMMs): The Emotional and Grammatical Layer

Non-Manual Markers (NMMs) encompass facial expressions, head movements, and body language that accompany a sign. These markers are not merely decorative; they play a critical role in conveying grammatical information and emotional tone.

NMMs can indicate question types, sentence structure, and the intensity of an emotion.

They are an indispensable part of ASL communication.

For instance, raising the eyebrows typically accompanies a yes/no question, while furrowing the eyebrows often indicates a wh-question (who, what, where, when, why, how). Similarly, pursed lips can modify a sign to indicate something is done carefully or precisely.

By understanding and utilizing Non-Manual Markers effectively, signers can elevate their expressive ability and convey more nuanced and complete messages.

ASL Phonology and Morphology: The Interplay of Parameters

Understanding ASL as a legitimate language with its own intrinsic structure and grammar is a relatively recent development. This understanding owes a great debt to the dedicated researchers who challenged prevailing assumptions and meticulously documented the complexities of ASL. Their work not only validated ASL as a language but also revealed the intricate ways in which its fundamental parameters interact to create meaning, a concept central to both phonology and morphology.

The Phonological Structure of ASL: Building Blocks of Meaning

In spoken languages, phonology deals with the systematic organization of sounds (phonemes) to create meaningful units. Similarly, ASL possesses its own phonological system, although it operates visually and spatially. Instead of phonemes, ASL utilizes cheremes, the smallest contrastive units in a sign, based on the five parameters: handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and non-manual markers.

These parameters are not merely isolated features; they function as the building blocks of ASL phonology. The precise execution of each parameter contributes to the overall identity and meaning of a sign. A change in any one parameter can drastically alter the sign’s meaning, underscoring their crucial role in differentiating signs and conveying intended messages.

For example, the sign for "APPLE" uses a specific handshape (an "A" handshape), a specific location (on the cheek), and a twisting movement. Altering the handshape to a "B" handshape, while maintaining the location and movement, does not result in a recognizable, or understandable sign.

This demonstrates how each parameter contributes to the overall phonological structure.

Morphological Processes in ASL: Combining Signs to Create Complexity

Beyond phonology, ASL exhibits a rich morphological system, which governs how signs are combined and modified to create new meanings, similar to how prefixes and suffixes function in spoken languages. The five parameters play a critical role in these morphological processes.

Compounding

One common morphological process in ASL is compounding, where two or more signs are combined to create a new sign with a distinct meaning. The parameters of the constituent signs often interact in interesting ways during compounding.

For instance, the sign "THINK" and the sign "SAME" combine to form "BELIEVE". This is achieved by maintaining the handshape and location of "THINK" but modifying the movement to match the double motion of "SAME". This seamless transition and blending is possible because the individual parameters from each sign are integrated to form the new compound.

Inflection and Derivation

ASL also employs inflectional and derivational morphology, using movement and non-manual markers to modify signs.

Changing the speed or repetition of a movement can indicate tense or aspect. For instance, repeating the sign "STUDY" rapidly can convey the meaning "studying intensely," while a slow, deliberate movement might suggest "studying over a long period".

Similarly, non-manual markers, such as specific facial expressions and head movements, can function morphologically to indicate questions, negation, or adjectival qualities.

Lexicalization: Blurring the Lines Between Phonology and Morphology

Lexicalization is a process where a fingerspelled word, or a borrowed sign from another sign language, becomes integrated into the ASL lexicon and takes on characteristics of native ASL signs. This process often involves modifications to the handshape, movement, or location to conform to ASL phonological rules.

For example, a fingerspelled word might undergo a reduction in the number of letters signed or a blending of movements to create a more fluid and efficient sign. This process showcases how the parameters of ASL exert their influence, shaping borrowed forms to align with the language’s unique phonological and morphological patterns.

By deeply understanding the interplay between phonology and morphology in ASL, with a focus on how the five parameters function, we gain a more comprehensive appreciation of its linguistic sophistication. This is a testament to the language's structured and rule-governed nature.

Decoding Meaning: The Power of Minimal Pairs in ASL

Understanding ASL as a legitimate language with its own intrinsic structure and grammar is a relatively recent development. This understanding owes a great debt to the dedicated researchers who challenged prevailing assumptions and meticulously documented the complexities of ASL. Their work provided the solid foundation upon which the concept of minimal pairs in ASL could be recognized as a crucial tool for understanding its underlying structure. By examining these sign pairs, where only a single parameter differentiates the meaning, we gain profound insights into the critical role each parameter plays in the language.

Defining Minimal Pairs in ASL

In linguistics, the concept of minimal pairs refers to two words that differ by only one phonological element, or in the case of ASL, one parameter. The difference in meaning between the two signs demonstrates that this single distinguishing feature is phonemically relevant in the language.

Think of it this way: A slight change results in an entirely different word.

These pairs underscore that the individual components of a sign (handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and non-manual markers) are not arbitrary, but rather crucial elements contributing to meaning.

Illustrating the Significance

The significance of minimal pairs in ASL lies in their ability to isolate and highlight the phonemic status of each parameter. Consider, for example, the signs for "APPLE" and "ONION." These signs share the same location and movement but differ in handshape. "APPLE" is signed with an 'X' handshape twisting on the cheek, while "ONION" is signed with an '5' handshape twisting on the cheek.

The contrasting meanings conveyed by these two signs, differing only by handshape, highlight that handshape is an independent and meaningful element in ASL.

Another compelling example is the pair of signs "NAME" and "TRAIN." Both share the same handshape and movement, but differ in location. "NAME" is signed with two "H" handshapes contacting each other, while "TRAIN" is signed with two "H" handshapes moving horizontally.

This stark change in meaning based on the location parameter clearly illustrates the phonemic importance of location in distinguishing different signs.

These subtle contrasts, clearly illustrated via minimal pairs, provide tangible evidence for the structural integrity of ASL.

The Role of Parameters

Minimal pairs underscore that the parameters of ASL are not merely incidental aspects of signing. They are, in fact, the core components that differentiate meaning. A change in handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, or non-manual markers can dramatically alter the meaning of a sign.

This sensitivity to parametric variation emphasizes the importance of precision in sign production.

Accuracy in conveying each parameter is crucial for avoiding miscommunication and maintaining the integrity of ASL.

Applications in ASL Learning and Linguistics

Understanding the concept of minimal pairs is important for language learners and linguists alike.

For learners, it provides a framework for paying careful attention to the distinct features of each sign, improving comprehension and fluency.

For linguists, it offers a powerful tool for analyzing the phonological structure of ASL, identifying the building blocks of the language, and furthering our understanding of its systematic organization. By continuing the tradition of meticulous observations, the nature of ASL phonology and ASL linguistics will continue to evolve.

Resources for Exploration: Tools to Study ASL Parameters

Understanding ASL as a legitimate language with its own intrinsic structure and grammar is a relatively recent development. This understanding owes a great debt to the dedicated researchers who challenged prevailing assumptions and meticulously documented the complexities of ASL. Their work provided the foundation for the rich array of resources available today for anyone seeking to delve deeper into the intricacies of this visual language, particularly its five core parameters. This section offers a guide to those resources, highlighting how each tool assists in understanding and mastering the fundamental elements of ASL.

ASL Dictionaries: Documenting Vocabulary

ASL dictionaries are invaluable tools for learners and linguists alike. These resources go beyond simple translations, offering detailed descriptions of individual signs that explicitly highlight their defining parameters.

Parameter-Specific Illustrations

A quality ASL dictionary illustrates the handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and non-manual markers of each sign.

Visual representations, often supplemented with written descriptions, provide a comprehensive understanding of how each parameter contributes to the sign's unique identity.

Notation Systems: A Deeper Dive

Many advanced dictionaries employ notation systems, such as the Stokoe notation or more modern adaptations, to represent the parameters in a standardized, symbolic form.

These notations allow for a precise and detailed analysis of each sign's structure, enabling users to compare and contrast signs based on their parametric components.

By decoding these notations, learners can gain a deeper appreciation for the subtle nuances that differentiate signs with similar overall shapes or movements.

ASL Grammar Books: Explaining ASL Structure

While dictionaries focus on individual signs, grammar books provide a broader perspective on how these signs combine to form meaningful sentences and conversations. They explain the rules and conventions that govern ASL syntax and morphology, emphasizing the crucial role of the five parameters in shaping the language's overall structure.

The Interplay of Parameters

Grammar books often dedicate chapters to each of the five parameters, exploring how they interact with one another to create grammatical distinctions.

For example, they might explain how changes in non-manual markers, such as eyebrow raises or head tilts, can alter the meaning of a sentence or clause.

They also delve into how the parameters influence verb agreement, spatial referencing, and other key aspects of ASL grammar.

ASL Teaching Materials: Emphasizing the Parameters

A wide range of materials are designed to teach ASL, from textbooks and workbooks to online courses and interactive software. The most effective of these resources place a strong emphasis on the five parameters, recognizing their importance in developing fluency and accuracy.

Structured Learning Approaches

Many ASL curricula are structured around the parameters, introducing them one by one and providing ample opportunities for practice and application.

Students learn to consciously identify and manipulate the parameters as they produce and interpret signs.

Interactive Practice

Interactive exercises, such as signing drills and video analysis, help learners develop a strong kinesthetic awareness of the parameters and their impact on sign meaning.

By actively engaging with the parameters in a structured learning environment, students can build a solid foundation for continued ASL development.

So, there you have it! Hopefully, this breakdown of the five parameters of ASL—handshape, palm orientation, location, movement, and non-manual markers—has shed some light on the fascinating complexity and beauty of American Sign Language. Keep exploring and learning; there's a whole visual world waiting to be discovered!