ASL Unit 2: Let's Introduce Ourselves

You are taking a public speaking class and have just received feedback on your midterm speech presentation. Your teacher suggested that in order to make your speech more impactful, you may want to modulate your speech more. What is she asking you to do?

• learn to translate spoken communication into signed communication

• slow down when you are making a point, and speed up when what you are saying isn't as important to the main point of your speech

• vary the tone, strength, and pitch of your vocal sounds

• pause more in between sentences

Which of the following does "handshape" refer to?

• the specific position of your hand and fingers used in producing a sign in a signed language

• when a person is communicating with sign language and uses either their left or right hand to produce a sign

• the size of the motions (big and small) that one uses while producing a sign that has movement

• whether the palm is facing inwards or outwards while producing a sign

How are the numbers 16, 17, 18, and 19 different from 6, 7, 8, and 9?

• The hand is placed in a downward position.

• You use your left hand to sign 6, 7, 8, and 9, and use your right hand to sign 16, 17, 18, and 19.

• To create 16, 17, 18, and 19, you sign a 1 with your left hand while signing 6, 7, 8, or 9 with your right hand.

• You twist your wrist back and forth while signing 6, 7, 8, or 9.

Sign the numbers 16, 17, 18 and 19

2 min video

Why do signs that refer to males involve touching the forehead?

• This practice is based on how men used to wear caps

• This practice is based on the belief that men were "the heads" of the family

• This was coincidental at first and then later organized for all male references

• Touching the forehead referred to the opinion that men were "headstrong"

Why do signs that refer to females involve touching the chin?

• When this practice developed, women were considered to be outspoken, so all female references used the chin

• It was coincidental at first and then later organized for all female references

• This practice is based on the fact that women used to wear bonnets

• Chins represented a smaller portion of the face and women generally had a smaller frame than men

Sign the word.... son

2 min video

Which of the following items would a Deaf person most likely need to modify in their home?

• toilet

• doorbell

• dishwasher

• mailbox

Which of the following is NOT considered rude in Deaf culture?

• touching another person's hands to stop them

• walking through an ASL conversation

• tapping on the shoulder of a person when trying to get their attention

• watching other people's conversations

Sign the word for cousin of either gender

2 min video