Binary nodes involve two points of utterance in American Sign Language (ASL).
The ASL noun phrase generally consists of the binary nodes involving a sign and a classifier.
For example, the sign for the apple is the handshape 1 with the semi-flexed finger (as in X) and the palm out going down twice (HMHMH) on the cheek. This sign is arbitrary; it has no specific meaning or reason for signing as such.
This sign becomes modified by its classifier which is the handshape C at the shoulder proximal. This classifier is descriptive; it describes the apple.
The sign and the classifier can be used at the same time.
What exactly is the classifier saying here? That it's a good sized round apple? Might one use red as a classifier? Or big? Or sweet? Or red, round and sweet?
ReplyDeleteYay, descriptions! :D
ReplyDeleteI like how the classifier and noun can be combined so you dont have to do two different signs but can describe the apple and say its an apple all in one.
ReplyDeleteI think that the sign and classifier mean the samething.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely helps with the learning of the two and their differences
ReplyDeletethis helped alot i did not get this when we went though it in class
ReplyDeleteI like how its shows more clearly what your signing.
ReplyDeleteGoing over this in class and on here where I can watch the videos over and over really helps. I get it now.
ReplyDelete