ASL

March 17th
Making requests
Different types of requests:
Polite requests (colleagues, acquaintances,
friends)

Familiar requests ( close friends and

family)

Commands ( to convey urgency)

*More formalities are required for strangers,

or the elderly while requests to close
friends or children are more like
commands*
Polite requests
Uses signs such as
-you busy? -You mind*? -Please

I busy, you please for-me food bring-inside

Car dirty, You mind help-me wash-car

You busy? You help me wash-dishes please?

Familiar Requests
I busy, you for-me food bring-inside ?

Car dirty, you-help-me wash-car

You-help-me wash-dishes?

* We don’t use the word “can”, instead we use

facial expression to indicate that it is a
request ( same as yes/no question: raise
eyebrows, tilt head forward, hold last sign)
Commands ( Imperatives)
“You” pronoun is usually absent
Signer looks directly at the person
being commanded
The verb has a sharp and tense
movement, sometimes a sharp head
nod accompanies the verb
Bring-inside Food
Wash-dish!
Wash-car!
Facial Expression
Facial Expression also plays a role in
giving requests, when speaking to a
stranger your expression is softer and
you usually sign please

For a close friend you would have a more

casual expression

For a command your expression will

become more angry / strict depending on
Making requests
Practice Cards
In each card you see two people,
determine the relationship between the people

For each card choose a role for each person and

conduct a conversation corresponding to what
is pictured in the scene

Signer A: give reason and make request

-
Signer B: respond and perform request
 Familiar

Signer A: Groceries
heavy, you-help-me
bring-inside

Signer B: O-K