Master ASL Wh-Word Questions with Free Tutorial – #1 Concise Guide

Hannah Cheloha · May 20, 2022

ASL Wh-word questions grammar tutorial

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language that is used by many Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States and Canada. Like any language, ASL has its own set of rules and grammar structures that must be understood in order to communicate effectively. One of the most important structures in ASL is the wh-word question, which is used to ask questions that begin with words like “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” and “why.” In this tutorial, we will review the grammar structure of ASL wh-word questions and provide examples to help you understand how to use them.

This tutorial is designed for newbie ASL learners or those who need a grammar refresher. It is also great for teachers who are looking for online materials to supplement their lesson plans. Students can complete the tutorial during class or as homework.

The structure of ASL wh-word questions has a few key differences from English. In ASL, the wh-word is placed at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject and then the verb. For example, the ASL question “What is your name?” would be signed as “YOUR NAME WHAT?” The question “Where are you going?” would be signed as “YOU GOING WHERE?”

It is important to note that ASL is a visual language, and so non-manual markers (NMMs) such as facial expressions and body language are also used to convey meaning. When asking a wh-word question in ASL, it is common to lower your eyebrows and lean your head forward slightly. This helps to indicate that you are asking a question.

Let’s take a look at some examples of ASL wh-word questions:

  • “Who is your favorite singer?” (YOUR FAVORITE SINGER WHO?)
  • “What did you eat for breakfast?” (BREAKFAST YOU EAT WHAT?)
  • “Where do you live?” (YOU LIVE WHERE?)
  • “When is your birthday?” (YOUR BIRTHDAY WHEN?)
  • “Why are you learning ASL?” (ASL LEARN WHY?)

As you can see, the structure of ASL wh-word questions is fairly simple once you get the hang of it. However, it is important to practice using these structures in order to become more comfortable with them. You can practice by asking and answering wh-word questions with a friend, or by watching ASL videos and trying to identify the wh-word questions being used.

In conclusion, this tutorial is a great resource for anyone who is learning ASL or looking to refresh their grammar skills. By understanding the structure of ASL wh-word questions, you will be able to communicate more effectively and confidently in ASL. So go ahead and give it a try – you’ll be signing like a pro in no time!

Directions:

  1. Watch the entire mini-lecture video carefully, paying close attention to the instructor’s explanation of ASL wh-word questions. Take notes if necessary to help you remember important information.
  2. After you finish watching the video, locate the short quiz below the video.
  3. Answer each question in the quiz to the best of your ability. If you’re unsure about a particular question, you may want to review the description above and the corresponding section of the mini-lecture video again to refresh your memory.
  4. Once you’ve completed the quiz, submit your answers and review your score. If you didn’t do as well as you’d hoped, you may want to review the mini-lecture video again or seek additional resources to help you better understand ASL wh-word questions.

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ASL wh-word questions grammar

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  • 1 Lesson
  • 1 Quiz
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