ClassifiersClassifiersASL IIASL II

What is a classifier?What is a classifier?

Represents a noun and indicates the Represents a noun and indicates the location and possible action of that location and possible action of that noun.noun.

Size and shape specifiers (SASSes)Size and shape specifiers (SASSes)

Indicates something about the size, Indicates something about the size, shape, texture, etc. and location of a shape, texture, etc. and location of a noun.noun.

Example:Example:(pronoun)(pronoun)

The red car pulled up behind me.The red car pulled up behind me.– CL:3(wh)”car” CL:3”car” RED “pull CL:3(wh)”car” CL:3”car” RED “pull

up behind my car”up behind my car”

Three cars were pulled up at the Three cars were pulled up at the intersection.intersection.– CL:3”3 cars pull up at intersection”CL:3”3 cars pull up at intersection”

Example:Example:(adjective)(adjective)

Sign this form, please.Sign this form, please.– CL:H “sign name on non-dominant CL:H “sign name on non-dominant

hand:B” PLEASE.hand:B” PLEASE.

The round table is large enough for The round table is large enough for four people.four people.– CL: (2h)C “big round table” CL: CL: (2h)C “big round table” CL:

(2h)XX “4 people sitting at table”(2h)XX “4 people sitting at table”

Example:Example:(verb)(verb)

The two of us went into the The two of us went into the restaurant and sat opposite each restaurant and sat opposite each other.other.– CL:2 (or V) “walk into restaurant” CL:2 (or V) “walk into restaurant”

RESTAURANT, CL: (2h)XX “sit across RESTAURANT, CL: (2h)XX “sit across each other”.each other”.

We all sat facing the front of the We all sat facing the front of the room.room.– IX-loc ROOM FRONT CL:scrunch 4 “sit IX-loc ROOM FRONT CL:scrunch 4 “sit

facing front of room”.facing front of room”.

Singular ClassifiersSingular Classifiers*must be repeated for *must be repeated for

pluralization:pluralization:

By use of both handsBy use of both hands

By repeating the classifier in By repeating the classifier in alternating, or orderly fashionalternating, or orderly fashion

By using a “sweep” to By using a “sweep” to indicate many in a row.indicate many in a row.

Plural:Plural:Use a specific number classifier Use a specific number classifier (CL:2, CL:3, CL:4, etc.)(CL:2, CL:3, CL:4, etc.)

““many” classifier (CL:4, CL:5) that many” classifier (CL:4, CL:5) that represent many people, cats, cattle, represent many people, cats, cattle, rocks, insects, shoes, chairs, etc., rocks, insects, shoes, chairs, etc., either stationary or moving orderly, either stationary or moving orderly, or moving in a disorderly manner or moving in a disorderly manner (wiggling of the classifer)(wiggling of the classifer)

The “class” or “group” classifiers (CL: The “class” or “group” classifiers (CL: (2h)C)(2h)C)

Physical characteristics of Physical characteristics of action:action:

Pick-up a coin (PICK-UP CL:F “coin”)Pick-up a coin (PICK-UP CL:F “coin”)

Pick-up a cup (PICK-UP CL:C “cup”)Pick-up a cup (PICK-UP CL:C “cup”)

Pick-up a rock (PICK-UP CL:scrunch 5 Pick-up a rock (PICK-UP CL:scrunch 5 “rock”)“rock”)

Pour-from a cup (POUR-FROM CL:C Pour-from a cup (POUR-FROM CL:C “cup”)“cup”)

Pour-from a bucket (POUR-FROM CL: Pour-from a bucket (POUR-FROM CL: (2h)C “bucket”)(2h)C “bucket”)

Sharing common featuresSharing common features

Fence, cage, rainbow, Fence, cage, rainbow, eyelashes (CL:4)eyelashes (CL:4)

Fire, waves, traffic, war Fire, waves, traffic, war (CL:5)(CL:5)

Pronominal ClassifiersPronominal Classifiers

Some classifiers can be Some classifiers can be used as pronounsused as pronouns and and can can replace nounsreplace nouns after the noun is named.after the noun is named.

For example:For example:

CL:1CL:1 Upright person or animalUpright person or animal

CL:3CL:3 Vehicle such as a car, bus, Vehicle such as a car, bus, bicycle, truck, boat, submarinebicycle, truck, boat, submarine

CL:ACL:A Stationary object such as a Stationary object such as a house, vase, statue, lamp, company, house, vase, statue, lamp, company, businessbusiness

CL:BCL:B Flat object such as a piece Flat object such as a piece of paper, magazine, newspaperof paper, magazine, newspaper

Location of a nounLocation of a noun

The car is hereThe car is here–CL:3 “car here”CL:3 “car here”

The car is over there.The car is over there.–CL:3 “car over there”CL:3 “car over there”

Locational RelationshipsLocational Relationships

Two vehicles next to each other.Two vehicles next to each other.– CL: (2h)3 “2 cars next to each other”CL: (2h)3 “2 cars next to each other”

Two vehicles, one in front of the Two vehicles, one in front of the other.other.– CL: (2h)3 “One car in front of other car”CL: (2h)3 “One car in front of other car”

A cup on a table.A cup on a table.– CL:C “cup on” CL:B “table”CL:C “cup on” CL:B “table”

A glass under a table.A glass under a table.– CL:C “glass under” CL:B “table”CL:C “glass under” CL:B “table”

Adding movement to Adding movement to pronominal classifierspronominal classifiers

One vehicle passing another.One vehicle passing another.– CL:3 “right car” CL:3 “left car passing CL:3 “right car” CL:3 “left car passing

right car”right car”

Two vehicles colliding head on.Two vehicles colliding head on.– CL: (2h)3 “cars crashing into each CL: (2h)3 “cars crashing into each

other”other”

A person diving off a platform.A person diving off a platform.– CL:V “person dives off” CL:B “platform”CL:V “person dives off” CL:B “platform”

A cup falling off a table.A cup falling off a table.– CL:C “cup falls off” CL:B “table”CL:C “cup falls off” CL:B “table”

Now you try it!Now you try it!

1.1. That little boy over there picked up That little boy over there picked up the rock and threw it at the girl.the rock and threw it at the girl.

BOY LITTLE THERE CL:5 “pick up rock BOY LITTLE THERE CL:5 “pick up rock and throw” GIRL.and throw” GIRL.

2.2. The herd of cows scattered all over The herd of cows scattered all over the place.the place.

COWS CL: (2h)5 “scatter everywhere”.COWS CL: (2h)5 “scatter everywhere”.

3.3. My brother has rows and rows of My brother has rows and rows of bowling trophies on his book shelf.bowling trophies on his book shelf.

BROTHER MY HAVE TROPHY BOWL BROTHER MY HAVE TROPHY BOWL CL:A “rows and rows” CL:B “shelf”.CL:A “rows and rows” CL:B “shelf”.