help listener have a clear
understanding, how sentences and
comments relate, & know when a topic
has ended and a new one begins
Issues to consider: how
the current point/topic
relates to the previous
one?, how the information
is being presented?, what
transition word(s) would
clarify this relationship?
English: pauses and
words (OK, fine,
now, so, and, well,
likewise, however,
although, for
example, therefore,
consequently,
because, since,
first, next,
subsequently)
Transition
Markers in
ASL
Problem: marker not
recognized so info
remains connected
to previous
ASL (topic
ending): pause,
slight head nod,
clasp hands,
drop hands
SIGNS: anyway,
push-aside,
next,
enumerating &
moving to a
new finger
NOW & KNOW-THAT
introduce new topic
ANYWAY EXAMPLE
INFORM-YOU w/ signer leaning
body to side indicates aside
in narrative: "by the way" w/
drop in pitch
English: pauses
or words
(now, ok, next,
then, so)
"and" DOES NOT,
implies more
information is to
come
Conjunctions
WRONG (w/ twisting
movement on chin):
"without warning",
"suddenly",
"unexpectedly", "all of
a sudden", "abruptly"
HAPPEN: "just so
happened that",
"when", show
relationship between
sentences/clauses,
"and then" connects
2 thoughts
HIT: means something
happened unexpectedly
(cause before conveys
expected while cause after
conveys what not
expected), :turned out that",
"ran into" implies event
unplanned, "it turned out",
"suddenly", "by surprise",
"unforeseen", "unanticipated"
FRUSTRATE: used
after statement of
something that
signer had hoped
to be/do/get but
was prevented
from,
"disappointed",
"annoyed",
"saddened"
The Word
Ok
English
relies
heavily
1. in dialogue as a response before talking own turn of talk,
ASL do not usually sign OK but would nod head vigorously
2. to show understanding, ASL might use FINE
3. as an affirmative answer to
question, ASL use SURE/YES/OK
4. to show confirmation &
agreement, ASL use GOOD
5. in pre-closings & closing of
conversation
6. as an attempt to gain the floor or keep floor,
ASL users raise hand, palm out, body moves
forward, or nod more
7. by a group leader in
order to close proceedings
or to finish one topic
before moving on to a new
one. ASL users sign
ANYWAY/NOW/NEXT, use
slight head nod, or use
"push away to side" sign
linguistic
features
used to help
determine the
shift from old
information to
new
information or
when a
speaker is
moving on