This semester, I am learning ASL. A "basic" ASL sentence can have a sentence structure of time-subject-predicate, but it can also have a sentence structure of subject-verb-object. Like some other languages, the sentence structure changes depending on the type of sentence. When rhetorical questions are asked or imperative and emphasis words are used, these words are signed at the end of a sentence. A noun is signed before an adjective. For example, to ask “Where do you live?” I would sign, “You live, where?”. I am still a bit confused on when it is appropriate to use S-V-O structure and it not count as Signed Exact English, I am hoping to speak with my instructor for clarification. The structure that makes the most sense to me is “topic + comment”. If I wanted to talk about a party being on Saturday, I would sign the topic “Party” and comment “Saturday”.
That being said, based on what I know now, I do not think there is one disciplinary approach that is preferenced over another in ASL. I can see how all of the branches of linguistics can play an important role in teaching and communicating in ASL. In particular, computational linguistics reminds me of the newer devices that can translate signed words into written text and vice versa. However, I have particularly been interested in learning the anthropological linguistics of American Sign Language. My knowledge that there is usage of sentence structure that is different than it would be in English has been causing me to really think about sentence structure formation as I continue to expand my vocabulary. I appreciate how Reba instantly corrects me when I sign a sentence in the incorrect format. In becoming more informed on the ASL sentence structure rules, I think it will help lessen the amount of hesitancy I have when I try to formulate sentences that I haven’t already learned the phrase from elsewhere.
Comments
Wow, that's so interesting, Faith! Thanks for sharing! I had never imagined that sign language would have a different structure than English, I had assumed it would be like a direct translation of English or any language in question into sign format. I wonder how this would preposition stranding - an interesting phenomenon in English that was discouraged (ie don't end the sentence with prepositions as in "where's he at?") when many natural English phrases like "Who did you go with?" would have to be "with whom did you go"?
Faith, it is really awesome you are learning ASL this semester! I am so glad to hear that things are going well and you are learning from Reba. She is great! As for your content, I totally agree. The sentence order can be a bit tricky and I still have trouble with it, especially in original sentences.