Sign Naturally Homework 4:14 Commenting On Family Members P.208-209

Sign Naturally Homework 4:14: Mastering the Art of Commenting on Family Members in ASL

Sign Naturally Homework 4:14, found on pages 208-209, is a pivotal exercise that moves learners beyond simple vocabulary lists into the dynamic, grammatical heart of American Sign Language (ASL). This assignment focuses on commenting on family members, a core conversational skill that reveals the language’s unique structure and cultural values. Successfully completing this homework transforms your ability to share personal stories, describe relationships, and engage in meaningful small talk within the Deaf community. It’s not just about signing words for "mother" or "brother"; it’s about learning to construct descriptive, nuanced sentences that use space, facial expressions, and grammar to paint a complete picture.

Why Commenting on Family is a Foundational ASL Skill

In Deaf culture, family is a central topic of conversation and a primary way to build connections. The ability to naturally comment on your family—their personalities, appearances, occupations, or recent events—is a marker of functional fluency. This homework directly addresses a common gap for beginners: knowing what to sign but struggling with how to sign it in a grammatically correct and culturally appropriate way. Sign Naturally Homework 4:14 forces you to apply foundational concepts like topic-comment structure, spatial referencing, and the critical use of non-manual signals (facial expressions and body language). These are not optional embellishments; they are integral grammatical components that change meaning. For example, signing "BROTHER" with a specific spatial location and a descriptive facial expression tells a complete story, whereas fingerspelling it alone is merely a label.

Deconstructing the Assignment: The Core Concepts on p.208-209

Pages 208-209 of Sign Naturally typically introduce and drill the syntax required for these comments. The key is moving from English sentence structure (Subject-Verb-Object) to ASL’s preferred topic-comment format.

1. The Topic-Comment Structure

In ASL, you first establish the topic (what you’re talking about) and then provide the comment (what you want to say about it). For family commentary, the family member is almost always the topic.

English: "My sister is a teacher."
ASL Gloss/Structure: SISTER MY (topic established by pointing to a location in space for "my sister") TEACHER (comment). The sign for "my" is often incorporated or implied by the location.
Practice from HW 4:14: You might be asked to sign "MY BROTHER FUNNY." You first set up a location in space for "my brother" (perhaps by signing BROTHER and then pointing to that spot), then sign FUNNY with the appropriate facial expression (raised eyebrows, slight smile).

2. Using Space and Role-Shifting

Once you assign a family member to a location in your signing space, you can refer back to that location instead of repeating the sign. This is crucial for describing multiple traits or telling a short story.

Example: Set up BROTHER at location X. Then sign: X LAZY (point to X, sign LAZY). X LIKE (point to X, sign LIKE) SPORTS.
Role-shifting is also used when quoting or describing what a family member said or did. You shift your body and eye gaze as if you are that person, adding vividness and clarity to your comment.

3. The Power of Non-Manual Signals (NMS)

This is where your signing becomes truly "natural." Your eyebrows, mouth, head tilt, and shoulder movement are grammatical markers.

Yes/No Questions: Raised eyebrows, slight head tilt forward. (e.g., "YOUR MOM HAPPY?").
WH-Questions: Furrowed eyebrows. (e.g., "YOUR DAD WHAT WORK?").
Descriptive/Adjectival Comments: Specific facial expressions match the adjective. A "BIG" house uses spread hands and a wide-eyed expression. A "SMALL" dog uses pinched fingers and a scrunched face. Sign Naturally Homework 4:14 explicitly practices matching these NMS to adjectives like tall, short, funny, serious, nice, mean.
Negation: Head shake while signing the negative concept.

Step-by-Step Approach to Completing the Homework Effectively

To master this exercise, follow a deliberate process that builds accuracy and fluency.

Identify the Core Sentence: For each item on p.208-209, determine the English sentence. Is it a statement ("My dad is tall"), a yes/no question ("Is your mom nice?"), or a WH-question ("What does your cousin do?")?
Establish the Topic: Decide how you will set up the family member in space. Will you use a possessive sign (MY, YOUR) directly, or will you first sign the kinship term (MOM, DAD, COUSIN) and then point to a location to "hold" that person? The latter is more advanced and natural for longer descriptions.
Select the Comment & NMS: Choose the correct sign for the adjective, occupation, or verb. Most importantly, plan the accompanying facial expression and body language. Practice in front of a mirror. Does your face match the meaning of "funny" or "strict"?
Practice Fluently: Don't just produce individual signs. Practice the entire phrase or sentence as a smooth, connected unit. Your signing space, handshapes, and facial expressions should all work together.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Mouthing English Words: Resist the urge to mouth every English word. Your facial expressions should be grammatical (NMS), not just a spoken translation.
Monotone Signing: A flat facial expression makes even the most interesting sign boring. Practice exaggerating your expressions in front of a mirror.
Incorrect Question Signals: Using raised eyebrows for a WH-question or furrowed brows for a yes/no question is a major grammatical error. Be meticulous about this.
Ignoring Space: Clumping all signs in the center of your body makes your signing hard to follow. Use the signing space to create a visual map of your sentence.

Conclusion

Sign Naturally Homework 4:14 is more than a vocabulary drill; it is a lesson in the grammar and artistry of ASL. By mastering the topic-comment structure, using spatial references, and, most critically, employing the correct non-manual signals, you are learning to think and express yourself in a visual language. The exercises on pages 208-209 are designed to make you consciously aware of these elements, transforming your signing from a series of gestures into a fluid, natural conversation. Embrace the practice, pay attention to your face and body, and you will find yourself signing with the clarity and expressiveness of a native user.