Describing People Lessons Based on Master ASL J

Describing People: Goals • To describe people’s physical appearances • To describe personality traits and characteristics • To improve ASL narrative skills • To learn about Deaf-Blind communication • To discuss health issues • To describe the natural world and environment Unit 8 Based on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza

Describing Physical Characteristics, p. 294 In general, Follow this sequence: 1. Gender 2. Ethnicity / background (optional) But remember; a strongly identifying trait will often be enough for a brief description. 3. Height 4. Body type 5. Eyes, hair and other details such as clothing Unit 8

Describing Physical Characteristics, p. 294 There are cultural (and personal) differences in what Deaf people and hearing people view as polite. Deaf: Hearing: “He’s a big African-American guy. ” This sentence is not considered rude unless you exaggerate or pair it with a negative or disgusted look on your face. “He’s fluffy. ” Unit 8

To be chubby, fat, p. 295 Unit 8

To be thin, p. 295 Unit 8

Body Unit 8

To be in good shape (average, medium), p. 295 Unit 8

Hair, p. 295 Unit 8

To be well built, muscular, p. 295 Unit 8

To be bald, p. 295 Unit 8

Look like p. 295 strongly resemble Unit 8

Face, p. 295 Unit 8

Freckles, acne (add red for acne), p. 295 Unit 8

Gut, belly, p. 295 Unit 8

To lose weight, slim down, p. 295 Unit 8

Pregnant, p. 295 Showing pregnancy Concieve, not showing pregnancy Unit 8

When describing people: • Point toward these body parts – eyes, ears, nose • Short and tall share the same signs as child and adult • Fingerspell DA for disabled and HC for handicapped • First sign hair, then add the color Unit 8

Signing about Ethnicity or Skin Color Deaf (often feel): Be respectful! Don’t exaggerate or use unflattering facial expressions Detailed description of race or body type is matter of fact; a description of what the eyes see. Remember: One sign may carry several concepts – Hearing (often feel): Detailed description of race or body type may be considered impolite. Hispanic/Latino/Mexican Black/African American White/Caucasian Indian/Native American Unit 8

Skin, Ethnicity, p. 297 Unit 8

Asian Unit 8

Black, African-American, p. 297 Unit 8

From India, East Indian, p. 297 Unit 8

American Indian, Native-American, p. 297 Unit 8

Latino/a, Hispanic, Mexican, p. 297 LSM sign for “Mexico” Unit 8

Arab (Middle Eastern), p. 297 Saudi sign for “Arab” Unit 8

White, Caucasian, p. 297 Unit 8

Half, p. 297 Unit 8

To Mix, mixed race, p. 297 Unit 8

Regions of the World Unit 8

Touch Finish? Have you been? What areas of the world have you been to? Unit 8

Asking about background I was wondering (curious) where you’re from? What race or ethnicity are your parents (or family)? Unit 8

List 1, pg. 1 Unit 8

List 1, pg. 2 Unit 8

Describe each person to a partner following correct the ASL sequence. Unit 8

Describe each illustration using the correct sequence. Unit 8

Match the English words or phrases to the best signed concept. 1. Drop a few pounds 2. Skinny 3. Pot belly 4. Muffin top 5. Acne 6. Obese 7. Balding 8. Get in shape 9. Plump 10. Buff 11. Spare tire Unit 8

Resemblances – Using the signs look like and look strong, describe each pair below. Use complete sentences to describe similarities and differences. Unit 8

Each picture gives information about a person’s background and ethnicity. Explain using a complete sentence. YOU? Unit 8

Describe the people below using a complete sentence Unit 8

Translate each sentence into an ASL sentence. Use alternative signs for ethnicity. Use the sign bank on the right. 1. I am African American. 2. They are from Asia. 3. We are Asian Americans. 4. She is Mexican American. 5. I am Native American and Black. 6. He is half White, half Middle Eastern. Unit 8

Describing Ethnicity & Places Describe the ethnicity of your family or friends. Create a dialogue with a partner comparing and contrasting backgrounds and ethnicities of yourself or your friends. How do you identify yourself? Where is your family from? Where have you been in the world? Your dialogue should include the following: 1. Greetings 2. Discussion of ethnicity/background & places described above. (3 sentences each) 3. A farewell Unit 8

Rubric for Ethnicity Dialogue: rate your dialogue: 4=great, 1=poor 1. Length – 1. 4 sentences each 2. Target Vocabulary – 2. “curious” or “ethnicity” 3. NMS 3. Questions, negation, other 4. Fluency 4. Signed smoothly or with hesitancy/mistakes

Handicapped or Disabled? Consider the following: • Disability = not-able • Handicap = anything that makes success more difficult • If being “normal” means succeeding in a career or school, starting and raising a family, and actively participating in one’s community, then what does it mean when a Deaf person achieves those goals? What about somone who does not have a disability and doesn’t achieve certain life goals? • The word “handicapped” describes a person who is unable to function owing to some property of the environment. Therefore, someone requiring a wheelchair may or may not be handicapped, depending on whether ramps are available. Using this criteria, who else could be considered handicapped? • Do you find the labels Handicapped and Disabled accurate or useful when describing Deaf people? Why Unit 8 or why not?

Deaf Native Americans, p. 299 For hundreds of years Native Americans, particularly the Plains Indians, have used sign language to communicate. It is certain that American Sign Language borrowed signs from this sign language, similar to the way English speakers borrow words from other languages. The Deaf native American community is proud of their rich legacy of sign languages. The Intertribal Deaf council works hard on behalf of Deaf Native Americans to preserve their unique heritage and promote awareness of their valuable contributions to the Deaf World. To learn more visit – http: //www. deafnative. com/home. htm http: //www. youtube. com/profile_videos? user=tommyfoley&p=r http: //www. lifeprint. com/asl 101/topics/native_american_sign_language. htm Unit 8

Hair Unit 8

Hairstyles Unit 8 p. 301

To brush one’s hair Unit 8 7 p. 259

To comb one’s hair, p. 259 Unit 8 7

To blow dry one’s hair Unit 8 7 p. 259

To Braid Unit 8

To shave (2 variations) Unit 8 7 p. 259

Hairstyles Practice Page Unit 8

Using Classifiers to Describe What CL handshape would you use to sign the concepts below? • • A Line of people Rope A crew/buzz cut Cornrows Pigtails A little bit of water A stray hair A soul patch Classifier Handshapes Unit 8

A Good Hair Day, MASL p. 303 Watch the DVD and answer the following questions. 1. What do you think these 3 signs mean? Why? 2. Why does Kelly think working there could be fun? 3. What does Kelly think she can do while working? 4. What are some reasons you think would change Kelly’s mind? 5. What do you think about Kelly’s idea? Unit 8

What I Look Like, MASL p. 303 Watch the DVD and answer the following questions. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What is Kelly’s ethnicity? Is Kelly tall or short? Is she wearing sandals? How does Kelly wear her hair? What 3 words does Kelly fingerspell? Unit 8

Personality & Character Unit 8

Afraid Unit 8

Broken-hearted, grieving (grief) Unit 8

Embarrassed Unit 8

Emotional Unit 8

Frustrated Once: “I’m frustrated!” Ongoing: “I have been frustrated for awhile (over and over)!” Unit 8

Motormouth, talkative Unit 8

Nervous, anxious, jumpy Unit 8

Nosy, In other people’s business Unit 8

Personality Unit 8

Polite, formal Unit 8

Rude, disrespectful Unit 8

Strong, (confident, courageous, ) Unit 8

Weak, puny Unit 8

Worry Unit 8

to Tend to (do something) Unit 8

“Deaf tend their…” Culturally Deaf people tend to do these things… Something Deaf people do… Unit 8

Unit 8 List 2

Signing Traits Complete the following sentences using the suggested vocabulary. Don’t forget to close your sentence. Suggested Vocabulary I don’t mind… I always… Sometimes I… afraid nervous frustrated talkative heartbroken polite nosy embarrassed rude In the past, I… I never… I don’t like… Unit 8

S/he tends to… Complete the above sentence with each concept below. Include the correct facial expression. Close your sentence. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Shy Emotional Nosy Worry Embarrassed Frustrated Nervous Broken-hearted Motor-mouth Unit 8

Which community exhibits the following traits and beliefs? 1. Breaking eye contact is rude 2. It takes a long time to say goodbye 3. Don’t like facial expressions 4. Love to get together and chat 5. Love music 6. Stop to chat when someone says “How are you? ” 7. Often hug and shake hands when saying hello or good-bye 8. Believe nosiness is bad 9. Believe nosiness is good Deaf people tend to… 10. Always stop to say “Hello” and “How are you? ” Unit 8 Hearing people tend to…

Personality Quiz – MASL red book, p. 309 Unit 8

Good & Bad Traits Make a list with a partner outlining personality traits you like and dislike in a friend. Then describe your ideal friend in complete ASL sentences. • Positive Traits • Negative Traits Unit 8

Match the signs to their opposites 1 5 2 6 3 4 9 10 7 a e i b f j c 8 d Unit 8 g h

1 5 2 6 3 4 9 10 7 a e i b f j c 8 d g h Answers: 1 c, 2 d, 3 b, 4 j, 5 i, 6 f, 7 h, 8 g, 9 e, 10 a Unit 8

My Friend Tara - MASL p. 310 Respond to the following in complete sentences: 1. List 3 of Tara’s personality traits: a. _______ b. _______ c. _______ 2. 3. 4. 5. Big-head, know-it-all, arrogant What is one of Tara’s pet peeves? What does Tara enjoy doing? Which sports does Tara play? Sean & Tara are good friends despite what? Unit 8

Health Unit 8

Alright, okay Unit 8

Allergies, to be Allergic Unit 8

to be Better Unit 8

Chicken pox Unit 8

have a Cold, Sniffles Unit 8

to Cough Unit 8

Doctor Unit 8

Feel Unit 8

Fever Variation 2 Unit 8

Heal, Get better Unit 8

Medicine Unit 8

Nauseated, sick to one’s stomach Unit 8

Sneeze Variation 2 Unit 8

Sore throat Unit 8

to Sprain Unit 8

Remove tonsils Unit 8

to Vomit Unit 8

To catch or have (an illness), get (sick) Version 1 POW! Version 2 Unit 8

Response to a sneeze Variation 2 Unit 8

to Hurt, pain: this sign moves location depending on where the pain is headache Variation 2 Stomach ache Unit 8

Blood, to Bleed this sign moves location depending on where the blood is Bloody nose Bloody arm Unit 8

Unit 8 List 3

“POW!” Use the “POW!” sign to sign each phrase in ASL. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I got sick. Out of the blue I didn’t feel so good. My allergies started acting up yesterday. He has the chicken pox. I just started coughing. Unit 8

How do they feel? Tell a partner using a full sentence in ASL. 1 2 4 3 5 Unit 8

What should they do? Use the pictures and tell a partner what’s wrong, and if the person(? ) needs to see a doctor, stay home and rest, or take medicine. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Unit 8

Description Dialogue Rubric Names: 2 3 4 5 -3 Physical descriptions & ethnicity -Correct order of descriptions -3 Regions of the world 3 or more elements missing 2 elements missing 1 element missing All elements present Non Manual Signals Few or no NMS Some correct NMS Many correct NMS present throughout with correct timing Sign Production (HOLM) 3 or more incorrect signs 2 incorrect signs 1 incorrect sign All signs produced correctly Fluency / Smoothness of signing Very halting, many unnatural pauses Somewhat halting, several unnatural pauses Mostly smooth, little hesitancy No hesitancy, very smooth Unit 8

The Natural World Unit 8

Earth, geography Unit 8

Dirt, sand, soil Unit 8

Grass Unit 8

Desert Unit 8

Flower Unit 8

Hill Unit 8

Island Unit 8

Lake Unit 8

Moon Unit 8

Mountain Unit 8

Plant Unit 8

River Unit 8

Stars Unit 8

Sun Variation 2 Unit 8

Tree Unit 8

Cactus Classifier for saguaro: When describing a tall, many-branched saguaro cactus, use the handshape below, after signing cactus. Unit 8

Unit 8 List 4

Describe the scene below in as much detail as you can. Unit 8

Describe the scene below in as much detail as you can. Unit 8 Jason Zinza, 2007

Respond to the following questions based on the sentence below 1. What is the relationship between hill and valley? What kind of a sign is this? 2. How does an additional movement change tree into forest or many trees? 3. Why do gold and California share the same sign? Unit 8 Recently, when hiking in the mountains, I saw a beautiful valley with a lake and forest of red and gold leaves.

Unit 8, Describing People - Goals Review • Can you: – Describe people’s physical appearances? – Describe personality traits and characteristics? – Use descriptions in 5 -sentence long narratives? – Explain how the Deaf-Blind communicate? – Discuss health issues? – Describe the natural world and environment? Unit 8 Based on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza

Unit 8, Describing People - Review • Watch MASL DVD U 8: “My Grandfather” and answer these questions 1. What tribe does Sean’s grandfather belong to? 2. What is Sean’s ethnic background? 3. What does Sean’s grandfather look like? 4. How did he lose weight? 5. What are three characteristics of Sean’s grandfather’s personality? 6. What is his grandfather always doing? Unit 8 Based on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza

Unit 8, Describing People - Review • Using the MASL red book, do the Unit 8 review activities: – p. 320 -321, B-F – p. 322 -323, A & B Unit 8 Based on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza