Complete Guide to ASL Grammar Rules & Gloss Symbols

American Sign Language (ASL) has its own grammar system that is visually structured and spatially organized. When we write ASL using English letters (called gloss), we use special formatting and symbols to represent ASL grammar.

Important:
Gloss is NOT English.
It is a structured tool used to represent ASL grammar, classifiers, movement, agreement, and non-manual signals.

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Part 1: Core ASL Grammar Rules

1. Topic–Comment Structure

ASL often introduces the topic first, followed by information about it.

Example:
BOOK, I READ FINISH.

The comma indicates topicalization (often accompanied by raised eyebrows).

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2. Time–Topic–Comment Structure

Time is often established first in ASL.

Example:
YESTERDAY I GO STORE.

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3. Spatial Referencing

ASL assigns referents to locations in space.

Example:
PERSON IX-left.
CAR IX-right.

Space becomes grammatical.

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4. Classifier Predicates (Depicting Verbs)

Classifiers represent categories and movement.

Example:
CAR CL:3-drive-uphill.

Movement encodes meaning.

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5. Directional Verbs

Some verbs move between subject and object to show agreement.

Examples:
GIVE-me
TELL-you

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6. Non-Manual Signals (NMS)

Facial expressions and body shifts are grammatical.

Examples:

• Raised eyebrows → Yes/No question
• Furrowed brows → WH-question
• Headshake → Negation

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7. Role Shift

The signer shifts body position to represent another person’s perspective.

Example:
ROLE-SHIFT DRIVER CL:handling-3-steer.

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8. Negation

Negation may include:

• Headshake
• NOT
• NONE
• NEVER

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9. Conditional Sentences

Often marked with raised eyebrows.

Example:
IF RAIN, GAME CANCEL.

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Part 2: Common Gloss Symbols & What They Mean

CAPITAL LETTERS

Represent ASL lexical signs.

Example:
STORE GO

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CL:

Indicates a classifier handshape.

Example:
CL:3-drive-forward

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IX

Index/pointing for spatial reference.

Example:
IX-left

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ESTABLISH

Indicates assigning a referent to space before classifier use.

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ROLE-SHIFT

Perspective change.

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Hyphen (-)

Shows one continuous movement.

Example:
drive-uphill-slow

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++ / +++

Repeated movement or intensity.

Example:
KNOCK++

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( )

Parentheses represent non-manual signals.

Example:
CL:B-thick-wide (mm mouth)

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Directional Verbs

Movement between subject and object.

Example:
GIVE-me

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Comma

Topic marker.

Example:
BOOK, I READ.

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Part 3: Advanced Grammar Features

Incorporation

Time and number may be incorporated into a sign.

Examples:

• 3-WEEK
• EVERY-DAY

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Aspect

Movement changes to show repeated, habitual, or intense action.

Example:
STUDY+++

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Spatial Agreement

Verbs move between indexed referents.

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Constructed Action (CA)

Using body and facial expression to act out a role.

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Important Reminder

Gloss represents ASL structure — not English grammar.
It is a teaching tool used to show:

• Spatial mapping
• Classifiers
• Movement
• Agreement
• Perspective
• Non-manual signals