Is it a multiple meaning ASL sign differentiated only by context? Or is there some small difference between the two signs? Learn to recognize the subtle distinctions between similar and overlapping signs in this instructional ASL video.

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- Dr. Bill
:)
==========================
American Sign Language (ASL) "Distinctions Project" (Part 3)
Dr. Bill Vicars with Cäsar Jacobson
Intended audience: Students who have who have completed Level 2 or higher of the ASL University curriculum.
https://youtu.be/BtEC0EvEEvE

=============================
Transcript of the PowerPoint slides for this lesson:

Many of the signs we discuss today have other versions.

The goal today isn’t to show all versions but to show some distinctions.

A distinction is a difference or contrast between similar things or people.

Some signs have multiple meanings.

Sometimes we can find small differences in …
movement
handshape
location or
orientation

Sometimes a sign has multiple versions -- of which only one conflicts with another sign.

For example: Philippines
version 1
version 2
version 3
version 4
etc.

Philippines
odd, clipped version
vs
PRINCIPAL

Sometimes we just have to rely on context to decide what a sign means.
available
nude
empty
(are differentiated mostly via context)

Sometimes AVAILABLE has a double movement.
Sometimes EMPTY is directional or locative.
Sometimes NUDE is involves a facial expression.
awake vs surprise (facial expression)
awful vs outstanding

(facial expression)
bat vs bone (handshape difference)
black (color)
vs
summer vs because version 1 version 2
bone
or
poison
(needs context)
but

different

(movement)
candy
vs
pickle

facial expression and location
disappoint vs
miss
vs
bitter

(facial expression & context)
easy
vs
almost

(movement and facial expression )
Egypt
vs
puzzled

(facial expression and movement)
event
vs
what’s up

(head tilt and facial expression)
excuse vs dissertation

(handshape)
experience vs peach (movement)
farm
vs
sloppy (movement)
few vs several
(context and other differences) …
There are many ways to sign FEW – it is not worth arguing about.
Personally I dislike the “dissolve” method of signing few.
glasses Gallaudet Moses (context)
ice cream vs microphone

(mouth morpheme & movement)
infection vs insurance version 1 version 2

(facial expression and/or movement)
late
vs
not yet

(mouth morpheme and/or movement)
medicine

poison version 2

(context and facial expression)
mischievous

devil
evil

(facial expression & context)
multiply or times vs worst worse (facial expression)
principal
vs Philippines

(movement)
pig
vs
dirty

(handshape and internal movement)
property
soil
sand
a substance

(context)
soon
vs
expert

(non-manual marker & movement)
special except especially unique

(facial expression & context)
taste
vs
prefer

(location and/or context)
Thailand vs
don’t mind

(slight movement & location differences)
thirsty
vs
lust version 1

(facial expression and context)
understand vs
don’t-understand

(head shake and facial expression)
unicorn vs
horny

(context and/or expression)
wake up

surprise

(facial expression & movement)
wet
vs
soft

(facial expression and movement)
who version 1 version 2
vs
lemon (movement and handshape)


Good job!
Take care, see you later!