The thing about ASL Grammar

The importance of ASL grammar will vary depending on your reason for learning the language.

ASL learners can broadly be categorized into two groups.

On one hand, there are those who are learning ASL for personal enjoyment or to facilitate basic communication.

For these individuals, the overall understanding of the language takes precedence over a strict adherence to ASL grammar rules.

Their primary goal is to effectively communicate, making the specific syntactical structures less critical.

Conversely, the other group comprises individuals with academic or professional ambitions related to ASL, such as those pursuing a career as an interpreter.

For them, mastering proper ASL grammar becomes paramount.

This group needs to not only understand ASL grammar but also be adaptable to various forms of grammatical structures in different sign language systems.

This adaptability is crucial as ASL encompasses different modalities and variations, which may require interpreters to cater to various preferences within the Deaf Community they serve.

In essence, the significance of ASL grammar hinges on your specific objectives.

If you are simply beginning your ASL journey or taking college courses, grasping some elements of ASL syntax, such as subject-object-verb and topicalization, can be beneficial.

This foundational knowledge aids in developing a better appreciation for the language and fosters receptivity to diverse individuals within the Deaf Community.

It can also help you break free from the constraints of English grammar and foster a more nuanced understanding of ASL.

However, it's essential to strike a balance between understanding grammar and not becoming overly rigid in its application.

Ultimately, the key is to adapt ASL usage to the preferences of the Deaf individuals with whom you are communicating with, ensuring an effective and respectful communication.

TRANSCRIPT (English)
So, here's the thing about grammar it's very dependent upon why it is that you're learning the language you may have one person who is learning um ASL just for fun for that individual learning the language as a whole is going to take priority over learning the syntax of of the language right but then on the other side you might have somebody that wants a degree or it has the Ambitions of becoming an interpreter then yeah you need to get your ASL grammar right and so initially it is important to understand some forms of the syntax to understand subject object verb and topicalization and it will help you have a greater appreciation and and and better receptivity to a variety of individuals and it kind of breaks your English thinking and your attachment to that English grammar that you're used to all that to say is grammar in the beginning it's good to be familiar with but you don't want to make yourself a slave to it.

TRANSCRIPCION (Español)
Entonces, esto es lo que pasa con la gramática: depende mucho de por qué estás aprendiendo el idioma, es posible que haya una persona que esté aprendiendo ASL solo por diversión, ya que ese individuo que aprende el idioma en su conjunto tendrá prioridad sobre el aprendizaje. la sintaxis del idioma es correcta, pero por otro lado es posible que tengas a alguien que quiera un título o que tenga la ambición de convertirse en intérprete, entonces sí, necesitas entender bien la gramática de ASL, por lo que inicialmente es importante comprender algunas formas. de la sintaxis para comprender sujeto, objeto, verbo y topicalización y te ayudará a tener una mayor apreciación y una mejor receptividad hacia una variedad de personas y de alguna manera rompe tu pensamiento en inglés y tu apego a la gramática inglesa a la que estás acostumbrado. Todo lo que quiero decir es la gramática al principio, es bueno estar familiarizado con ella, pero no querrás convertirte en un esclavo de ella.

[Mehk]

Thanks, I’ve been obsessed with getting grammar right before learning that many signs. This made me realize I’ve been slowing my learning because of that.

[thrivinginamber]

There's a third group, one that I skirt the edges of, people who are themselves going deaf, and there I think, classifiers and expressiveness, along with heavy training for receptiveness, and I'm further behind on that one, but it's vitally important for communication.

[marypasco]

I think, along with EVERYthing else they have to learn, EMT’s & Paramedics should learn some ASL as well.

[pattilong]

Hi this is Daniel long, I will like to learn ASL grammar