Comparison of SEE and ASL
Language Structure
SEE (Signing Exact English): Follows English grammar exactly and uses Subject-Verb-Object word order. Includes all English function words like ‘the’, ‘is’, ‘are’.
ASL (American Sign Language): Has its own unique grammar and topic-comment structure. Omits unnecessary words and uses facial expressions and classifiers for meaning.
Vocabulary & Signs
SEE: Signs every English word, including auxiliary verbs and suffixes. Heavily relies on fingerspelling and creates signs for English-specific words.
ASL: Uses conceptual signs and avoids signing every single English word. Fingerspelling is used selectively for names or uncommon terms.
Purpose & Audience
SEE: Primarily used in educational contexts to support English literacy. Often used by teachers, interpreters, or hearing parents of Deaf children.
ASL: A natural language deeply tied to Deaf culture and used for everyday communication within the Deaf
community.
Visual and Spatial Use
SEE: More linear in presentation, mimicking spoken English structure.
ASL: Highly visual and spatial, utilizing body space and facial expressions to convey grammatical information.
| Feature | SEE | ASL |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | Mirrors English exactly | Unique ASL grammar |
| Word-for-Word? | Yes – even small function words like “is”, “am”, “with” | No – omits unnecessary English words |
| Facial Expressions | Used sparingly | Integral part of the grammar |
| Visual Flow | Linear, word-by-word | Spatial, visual, and conceptual |
Summary
SEE is a manually coded version of English designed to teach English through signs. ASL is a complete,
natural language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural heritage used by the Deaf community.