How do ASL and English differ grammatically?

Question

For example, what are some grammatical features that exist in one language but not in the other?

Wha are some common differences in syntax (sentence structure)?

Answer 1

Great question! ASL and English aren’t just different languages—they work in completely different ways. While English is spoken and linear, ASL is a rich, visual language that uses your hands, face, and body to tell a story. Imagine grammar that’s not just about words, but about movement and expression!

One cool thing about ASL is how it uses facial expressions (called non-manual markers) like raised eyebrows or head tilts to turn a statement into a question—something English does with word order or tone of voice. For example, to ask a yes/no question in ASL, you raise your eyebrows while signing.

Another big difference is how sentences are built. English usually follows a Subject-Verb-Object order, like “I eat apples.” But ASL often starts with the topic first, then gives a comment—so instead of “I eat apples,” you might see “Apples, I eat.” It’s like setting the stage before telling the story!

Plus, ASL uses something called classifiers and role shifting, which let signers show who’s doing what and where, almost like acting out the scene with their whole body. This makes ASL super visual and dynamic, bringing stories and conversations to life in a way English can’t.

Answer 2

ASL is visual language whereas English is auditory based.

Answer 3

The modality is different - ASL is a visual-spatial language while English is a spoken-auditory language. Here are some key grammatical differences:

Sentence Structure

1. Word Order: English typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, e.g., "She eats an apple." ASL often uses a Topic-Comment structure, e.g., "APPLE SHE EATS." The subject (she) and object (apple) can be signed first for emphasis.
2. ASL is a highly flexible and dynamic language: It allows for variation in word order depending on context, emphasis, and the signer’s preference.
3. Flexibility in ASL: While ASL often uses a Topic-Comment structure, it can also accommodate Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, especially when the subject and object are clear from the context.
4. Context & Clarity: In some cases, using a word order similar to English can make the sentence clearer and easier to understand.

Articles and Pronouns

1. Articles: English uses articles like "the," "a," and "an." ASL does not have direct equivalents for these articles.
2. Pronouns: English has gender-specific pronouns like "he" and "she." ASL uses the same sign for both, relying on context and pointing (called indexing) to clarify.

Verb Tense and Time

1. Verb Tense: English verbs change form to indicate tense (e.g., "walk," "walked," "will walk"). ASL uses time indicators like "PAST," "NOW," and "FUTURE" to establish tense, often placed at the beginning of the sentence.
2. Aspect: ASL uses specific signs and facial expressions to convey the aspect of verbs, such as ongoing actions or habitual actions and the intensity of these actions.

Non-Manual Signals

1. Facial Expressions: ASL relies heavily on facial expressions and body language to convey meaning, grammatical nuances, and emotional tone. For example, raising eyebrows can indicate a yes/no question.
2. Head Movements: Head shakes, nods, and tilts are used in ASL to modify verbs and adjectives, add emphasis, or indicate negation.

Negation

1. Negation: In English, negation is achieved using words like "not" or "no" (e.g., "I do not want"). In ASL, negation can be shown through a negative head shake or by using specific negation signs, often placed at the end of the sentence.

Vocabulary

1. Lexicon: English has a vast vocabulary with words derived from various languages over centuries. ASL's vocabulary is distinct and includes signs not only for concepts but also for letters (fingerspelling) and numbers.
2. Influence of other languages: ASL as derived from French Sign Language and through the years has been influenced by English as well. Thus, has developed variations, such as:
3. Contact Language: Many Deaf individuals are bilingual in ASL and English. The influence of English often impacts the word order used in ASL.
4. Code-Switching and Pidgin Signed English (PSE): Sometimes signers use a combination of ASL and English called Pidgin Signed English (PSE), which can have a word order more closely aligned with English.

Why Code-Switching?

1. Language Proficiency: Many Deaf individuals are bilingual in ASL and English, allowing them to communicate effectively by switching between languages.
2. Audience Adaptation: Signers adjust their language based on their audience, using more English-like signing with hearing individuals or in formal settings.
3. Situational Appropriateness: Different contexts call for different language choices, facilitating understanding in professional or educational settings.
4. Enhanced Clarity: Code-switching helps clarify meaning, especially for complex or specific concepts.
5. Emphasis and Nuance: Switching languages adds emphasis, nuance, or specific connotations.
6. Cultural Identity: It expresses cultural identity and navigates between Deaf culture and the broader hearing world.
7. Community Norms: Aligns with cultural norms, group identity, or signals membership within a community.
8. Educational Influence: Exposure to English-based sign systems influences language use.
9. Language Contact: Continuous contact with ASL and English leads to natural code-switching.
10. Functional Necessity: Certain terms or phrases may not have direct ASL equivalents.
11. Pragmatic Communication: Enhances efficiency and effectiveness in communication with varying proficiency levels.

Conjunctions and Prepositions

1. Conjunctions: English uses conjunctions like "and," "but," and "or." ASL may use facial expressions or pauses to indicate conjunctions and sometimes signs like "AND" or "BUT" are used.
2. Prepositions: English uses prepositions like "in," "on," and "under." ASL often uses spatial relationships and classifiers to show these relationships visually.

Classifiers

1. Classifiers: ASL uses classifiers, which are handshapes that represent categories of objects, people, or animals, to convey information about movement, location, and appearance. English lacks this visual-spatial grammatical tool.

Answer 4

First and most obvious, English is a spoken, auditory language, while ASL is a visual-spatial language. This has a major impact on how differently they are structured.

ASL does not have simple articles like the, an, this, etc.

ASL does not have gendered pronouns. She and he are signed the same way.

English does not have as many personal pronouns as ASL has.

ASL does not typically embed the time/tense information in the verb. However, adverbs are often produced simultaneously with the verb.

The lexicons, or word sets/dictionaries/vocabularies of English and ASL are very different. English is a majority language with a thousand-year history and a writing system, while ASL is a minority language that has only existed for 200 years and has no written form. Nevertheless, all of the complex concepts that people discuss in English can also be expressed in ASL, provided the signer is fluent and understands the topic.