Based on Master ASL, J. Zinza

1
Describing People Lessons

• Based on Master ASL, J. Zinza

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Describing People Goals

• To describe peoples 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

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Based on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza
3
Describing Physical Characteristics, p. 294
In general, Follow this sequence

1. Gender
2. Ethnicity / background (optional)
3. Height
4. Body type
5. Eyes, hair and other details such as clothing

But remember a strongly identifying trait will
often be enough for a brief description.
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Describing Physical Characteristics, p. 294
There are cultural (and personal) differences in
what Deaf people and hearing people view as
polite.
Deaf
Hearing
Hes a big African-American guy. Hes fluffy.
This sentence is not considered rude unless you
exaggerate or pair it with a negative or
disgusted look on your face.
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Body
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To be bald, p. 295
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To be chubby, fat, p. 295
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Face, p. 295
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Freckles, acne (add red for acne), p. 295
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Gut, belly, p. 295
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Hair, p. 295
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To be in good shape (average,medium), p. 295
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To look like, strongly resemble, p. 295
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To lose weight, slim down, p. 295
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To be pregnant, p. 295
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To be thin, p. 295
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To be well built, muscular, p. 295
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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

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Signing about Ethnicity or Skin Color
Deaf (often feel) Detailed description of race
or body type is matter of fact a description of
what the eyes see.
Be respectful! Dont exaggerate or use
unflattering facial expressions
Remember One sign may carry several concepts
Hispanic/Latino/Mexican Black/African
American White/Caucasian Indian/Native American
Hearing (often feel) Detailed description of
race or body type may be considered impolite.
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Skin, Ethnicity, p. 297
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Asian
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Black, African, African-American, p. 297
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From India, East Indian, p.297
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American Indian, Native-American, p. 297
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Latino/a, Hispanic, Spanish, p. 297
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Arab (Middle Eastern), p. 297
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White, Caucasian, p. 297
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Half, p. 297
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To Mix, mixed race, p. 297
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Regions of the World
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Asking about background
I was wondering (curious) where youre from?
What race or ethnicity are your parents (or
family)?
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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?usertommyfo
  leypr
• http//www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/native_amer
  ican_sign_language.htm

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Describe each person to a partner following
correct the ASL sequence.
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Describe each illustration using the correct
sequence.
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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

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Resemblances Using the signs look like and look
strong, describe each pair below. Use a complete
sentence to tell if they are similar or not.
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Each picture gives information about a persons
background and ethnicity. Explain using a
complete sentence.
YOU?
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Describe the people below using a complete
sentence
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Translate each sentence into an ASL sentence.
Use alternative signs for ethnicity.

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.

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Describing Ethnicity

• 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? Your
  dialogue should include the following
• Greetings
• Discussion of ethnicity/background
• Plans to meet again
• A farewell

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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 ones community, then
  what does it mean when a Deaf person achieves
  those goals? What about somone who does not have
  a disability and doesnt achieve certain life
  goals?
• The word handicapped describes a person who is
  unable to function in relation 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? Why or why not?

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Hair
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Hairstyles
p. 301
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Hairstyles
p. 301
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To brush ones hair
p. 259
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To comb ones hair, p.259
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To blow dry ones hair
p. 259
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To Braid
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To shave (2 variations)
p. 259
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Hairstyles Practice Page
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Using Classifiers to DescribeWhat 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
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A Good Hair Day, MASL p. 303Watch 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
   Kellys mind?
5. What do you think about Kellys idea?

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What I Look Like, MASL p. 303Watch the DVD and
answer the following questions.

1. What is Kellys ethnicity?
2. Is Kelly tall or short?
3. Is she wearing sandals?
4. How does Kelly wear her hair?
5. What 3 words does Kelly fingerspell?

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Personality Character
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Afraid
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Broken-hearted, grieving (grief)
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Embarrassed
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Emotional
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Frustrated
Once Im frustrated!
Ongoing I have been frustrated for awhile (over
and over)!
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Motormouth, talkative
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Nervous, anxious, jumpy
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Nosy, In other peoples business
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Personality
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Polite, formal
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Rude, disrespectful
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Strong, (confident, courageous,)
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Weak, puny
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Worry
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to Tend to (do something)
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Deaf tend theirCulturally Deaf people tend to
do these thingsSomething Deaf people do
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Signing TraitsComplete the following sentences
using the suggested vocabulary.
Suggested Vocabulary
I dont mind
I always
Sometimes I
afraid
nervous
frustrated
talkative
heartbroken
polite
In the past, I
I never
I dont like
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nosy
embarrassed
rude
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S/he tends toComplete the sentence with each
concept below. Include the correct facial
expression.

1. Shy
2. Emotional
3. Nosy
4. Worry
5. Embarrassed
6. Frustrated
7. Nervous
8. Broken-hearted
9. Motor-mouth

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Which community exhibits the following traits and
beliefs?

1. Breaking eye contact is rude
2. It takes a long time to say good-bye
3. Dont 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
10. Always stop to say Hello and How are you?

Hearing people tend to
Deaf people tend to
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Personality Quiz MASL, p. 309
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Good Bad TraitsMake 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

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My Friend Tara - MASL p. 310Respond to the
following in complete sentences

• List 3 of Taras personality traits
• _____________
• _____________
• _____________
• What is one of Taras pet peeves?
• What does Tara enjoy doing?
• Which sports does Tara play?
• Sean Tara are good friends despite what?

Big-head, know-it-all, arrogant
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Health
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Alright, okay
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Allergies, to be Allergic
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to be Better
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Chicken pox
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have a Cold, Sniffles
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to Cough
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Doctor
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Feel
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Fever
Variation 2
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Heal, Get better
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Medicine
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Nauseated, sick to ones stomach
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Sneeze
Variation 2
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Sore throat
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to Sprain
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Remove tonsils
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to Vomit
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To catch or have (an illness), get (sick)
POW!
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Response to a sneeze
Variation 2
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to Hurt, painthis sign moves location depending
on where the pain is
headache
Variation 2
Stomach ache
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Blood, to Bleed this sign moves location
depending on where the blood is
Bloody nose
Bloody arm
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POW!Use the POW! sign to sign each phrase in
ASL.

1. I got sick.
2. Out of the blue I didnt feel so good.
3. My allergies started acting up yesterday.
4. He has the chicken pox.
5. I just started coughing.

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How do they feel? Tell a partner using a full
sentence in ASL.
2
1
4
3
5
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What should they do?Use the pictures and tell a
partner whats 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
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The Natural World
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Earth, geography
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Dirt, sand, soil
105
Grass
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Desert
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Flower
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Hill
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Island
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Lake
111
Moon
112
Mountain
113
Plant
114
River
115
Stars
116
Sun
Variation 2
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Tree
118
Cactus
119
Describe the scene below in as much detail as you
can.
120
Describe the scene below in as much detail as you
can.
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Describe the scene below in as much detail as you
can.
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Describe the scene below in as much detail as you
can.
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Describe the scene below in as much detail as you
can.
Jason Zinza, 2007
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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 additional movement change tree into
   forest or many trees?
3. Why do gold and California share the same sign?

Recently, when hiking in the mountains, I saw a
beautiful valley with a lake and forest of red
and gold leaves.
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Description Directions

• You will create a presentation based on a picture
  of a person.
• You can pick any person you would like.
• You must either create a Power Point or print
  your picture tomorrow in class.
• The more creative you are the better your grade
  will be.

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Description Rubric (x 2)
Name 2 3 4 5
-Greetings -Physical description ethnicity -Personality -Health -Farewell 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 NMS present throughout with correct timing
Sign Production 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