My language learning parnter regularly incorporates videos into our lessons to not only expose me to a variety of signers, but also to visually illustrate the specific grammar or vocabulary we are currently working and how it appears in "everyday" signing. These first videos hihglight the function of non-manual markers in ASL, the facial expressions, head movements, and body postures that are crucuial to coveying strict meaning and tone in a conversation.
Yes/No Questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yajXAiwMRt0&t=8s
When asking questions where the answer is either "yes" or no"no," a signers' eyebrows should be raised, their head should be tilted slightly forward, and it is customary to hold the final sign for a second or two. All of these non-manual markers help signers distinguish these types of questions from open-ended questions since individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing can't make use of the upward vocal inflections that often mark theend of a question in English.
WH questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3dWaPwAWbw
WH, or who, what, when, where, why, questions require a signers' eyebrows to be furrowed, their head must be slightly tilted forward, and it is customary for them to hold the final sign for a second or two. These manual markers help signers distinguish WH questions from "yes" or "no" questions and, again, serve a purpose similar to the vocal inflections in English that distinguish question types and showcase tonal intensity.
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