Abstract

Contrary to popular assumptions, American Sign Language is not simply a manual language, and the signer's face does much more than show emotions. A review of the major findings of linguistic research on the nonmanual components of ASL shows that the signer's face, head, torso, and eyegaze have important linguistic roles. The author's study illustrates how different combinations of facial and head movements signal different kinds of questions: yes-no, wh-, and rhetorical. Awareness of these nonmanual signals may help teachers communicate their questions more effectively to students and understand their students' questions better. Learning how to distinguish linguistic facial behaviors from affective facial behaviors may also help teachers avoid misunderstandings.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.