SASL Newsletter - Fall 2018 Issue Issue 11 - Fall 2018 | Page 9

when I am signing and making efforts to effectively and clearly use my signing space, I tend to set
locations within my signing space that are close to my body (core) because I fear that I will lose my
sitting balance and fall over. Because of my difficulties with manual dexterity and palm orientation in
my nondominant hand, sometimes I have difficulties with number-sign formation and numerical
incorporation. To compensate for my challenges in the formation of certain signs, I do try to
incorporate fingerspelling into my signing because I can use only my right hand, which moves better,
to fingerspell. I have also been challenged by the need to clearly express myself when using signs that
differ by only the single ASL parameter of movement. My signs for FIRE and WAIT can be easily
confused without context to help determine meaning. I compensate for my difficulties by explaining
and describing with more detail and using depiction.
My syntax is also mildly affected by my CP. I tend to use shorter sentences, and I rely heavily
on using the topic-comment structure and the implied subject feature that is acceptable in ASL. I use
shorter sentences when I am signing to conserve my hand and arm strength, which gives me the
opportunity to participate in signed conversations that are longer in duration overall. My tendency to
use shorter sentences can impact the complexity of the syntactical elements of my ASL. I like working
with Deaf interpreters, but I prefer to know and trust the interpreters with whom I work because the
interpreters I like best are those who ask me if I’m signing about a particular topic, recognize that I am
getting tired, and ask me questions to help me expand upon my thoughts. Conversely, these skilled
interpreters can also recognize when I am feeling physically strong enough to carry a conversation
independently and refrain from engaging in the behavior as mentioned earlier.
Depiction is my favorite feature of ASL because I now know that I see the world regarding visual
concepts. Like any signer, regardless of hearing status, I see the world as visual concepts that can be
represented using depiction frequently more easily and efficiently than when communicating in a
language that is not visually-based. However, my use of depiction is also impacted by my CP. Role-
shifting does not come naturally to me, and I don’t often use constructed dialogue in my ASL. My
smaller signing space, positioned closer to the body, requires that I consciously think about producing
signs that are further from my body with clarity so that I accurately represent signs that reflect
distance, size gradations, and locations that are positioned further from my body. My use of buoys and
tokens to effectively use referential and locational space are also positioned closer to my body. Deaf
signers have told me that I should take care to ensure that my use of tokens when comparing and
contrasting are positioned within my signing space as distinctly separate entities to avoid confusion.
Despite my difficulties, I appreciate and enjoy that ASL allows me to “depict” the world around me as I
see it.
I believe that the feature of ASL that is
least affected by my CP is semantics. The idea of
being able to communicate underlying feelings
about particular concepts and ideas simply
through the use of word choice by considering
connotative and denotative meanings is
fascinating! Sometimes, I have chosen certain
signs based on ease of production given my
movement constraints. I understand that
connotative and denotative meanings can
influence how my signing is understood, so I must
work harder to choose signs that accurately
convey what I want to say with the feelings and
intentions that I want to convey, rather than
Lauren Signing YES
working toward ease of production and clarity
(Continue on the next page)
relative to the physical characteristics involved in
the
The Power of ASL
9
Fall 2018 – Issue 11