Studyfin
✨ Sign up free
Hi! I am Studyfin, your ASL tutor. Today we will explore how your face actually does the talking in sign language!
In American Sign Language (ASL), facial expressions are not just for showing emotion. They are actually a key part of the grammar, just like punctuation marks in written English.
When you ask a question that can be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no', you must raise your eyebrows. This is called a Yes/No question face, and it tells the other person you are waiting for their agreement.
For questions that start with words like Who, What, Where, or Why, you do the opposite. You furrow your eyebrows downward to show you are gathering information.
Imagine you want to sign two different sentences to a friend: 1. 'Are you hungry?' 2. 'What is your favorite food?' How do you use your face to make the grammar correct for each sentence?
- Analyze the first sentence: 'Are you hungry?' This can be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no'.
- Apply the rule for Yes/No questions. You must raise your eyebrows and tilt your head slightly forward as you sign.
- Analyze the second sentence: 'What is your favorite food?' This is a Wh-question because it asks for specific information.
- Apply the rule for Wh-questions. You must furrow your eyebrows downward and tilt your head slightly forward as you sign.
