Posted on Mar 07, 2026 by paul
American Sign Language is a visual language that uses handshapes, movement, facial expressions, and space to communicate ideas. One important feature of ASL is the use of classifiers. Classifiers help signers visually represent objects, people, and movement. A classifier is a specific handshape that represents a group or category of objects. Instead of signing many […]
Read MorePosted on Mar 01, 2026 by paul
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. Part 1: […]
Read MorePosted on Mar 01, 2026 by paul
Classifiers are one of the most visually powerful grammatical features of ASL. They represent categories of objects, people, movement, and spatial relationships. Below are 10 core classifiers every ASL student should understand, along with grammar notes, gloss examples, and common errors. CL:1 (Upright Person) Represents:Person standing, thin upright object, animal upright Grammar Notes: Gloss Examples: […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 28, 2026 by paul
Various ways “GO” is used in English. Check out our Multiple Meaning Words on ASLdeafined.com Physical Movement • I go to school every morning. • We go home after work. • She goes to the gym on Fridays. • They went downtown last night. • He is going to the store. • The bus goes […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 20, 2026 by paul
One of the biggest “lightbulb moments” for ASL learners happens when they realize this truth: In American Sign Language, grammar doesn’t live on paper—it lives on the body. Unlike English, which relies on word order and written symbols, ASL uses space, direction, and movement to show who did what to whom, when it happened, and how ideas […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 19, 2026 by paul
One of the first things new ASL learners notice is that something feels… missing. Where are the words is, am, and are? If you’re used to English, this can feel strange at first. But here’s the important truth: ASL doesn’t need “is, am, are” to be clear, grammatical, or complete. Let’s break down why. ASL Is Not English […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 18, 2026 by paul
If you’ve been learning American Sign Language for a while, you’ve probably heard the phrase “conceptually accurate signing.”It gets used a lot—but it’s not always clearly explained. So what does it actually mean?And why does it matter so much when learning ASL? Let’s break it down in a way that finally makes sense. Conceptually Accurate ≠ Word-for-Word One […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 17, 2026 by paul
If you’re new to American Sign Language, you’ve probably thought this at least once: “Why does ASL feel backward?” You’re not imagining it — ASL word order is different from English. But here’s the good news: it isn’t backward at all. It’s just organized around meaning, not English sentence structure. Once you understand why ASL is structured the way […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 16, 2026 by paul
If you’ve ever been told, “That’s English on the hands,” you’ve encountered English interference. English interference is one of the most common—and most frustrating—challenges for people learning American Sign Language (ASL). The good news? It’s completely normal. Even better news? Once you understand it, you can start fixing it. Let’s break it down. What Is English Interference? English […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 13, 2026 by paul
When people first start learning American Sign Language (ASL), they often focus on handshapes, movement, and vocabulary. That makes sense — it’s where most learners begin. But there’s something just as important (and often misunderstood): Facial expressions in ASL are not “extra.” They are grammar. If you remove facial expressions from ASL, you don’t just lose […]
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