Directionality:
(Also called: "verb agreement")
Certain signs can show "who did what to whom" through their movement. The movement of the sign
indicates the subject and the object of the verb. For example, if I sign "money" and then I sign "give" starting near my
body and moving the sign "give" in your direction, then I'm signing "I will give you some money," or "I gave you money."
Suppose I start the sign by holding the sign away from my body (in whatever direction you are) and then move the sign
"give" toward me and end near my body...that would mean, "You give me some money."
If I look at you and move the sign "give" out to my right or left, I am signing "Give it to him."
This "directionality" can be applied to many but not all signs. How do you know which ones? You associate with skilled
users of the language and pick up on it, or you watch many videos of skilled signers, or you attend many classes, pay
attention, and ask questions about signs.
You can directionalize many different verbs. Hand-to is the best example, but "MEET" is also useful. [To sign MEET, you
hold both index fingers out in front of you about a foot apart, pointed up, palms facing each other. Then you bring them
together--it looks like two people meeting. Note: The index fingers do not touch, just the lower parts of the hands.]
For example ME-MEET-YOU can be done in one motion. I don't need to sign "I" "MEET" "YOU" as three separate words. But
rather I hold my right Index finger near me, palm facing you, and my left index finger near you, palm facing me. Then I
bring my right to my left. One motion is all it took.
A student asks: How do we know which verbs to use?
Response: That takes interactive practice and study. Some verbs just aren't directional in nature. For example: "WANT."
You sign "WANT" and separately indicate who wants what. For example, to sign "SHE WANT CANDY" you'd point at the little
girl, sign "WANT" then sign "CANDY."
(Just a side note: Even though "WANT" is not "directional" it does use a certain other interesting ASL grammar feature.
"WANT/DON'T-WANT" is an excellent example of reversal of orientation for negation.)
Dr. Bill: Suppose I index BOB on my right and FRED on my left. Then I sign "GIVE-TO"
from near my body to the place where I indexed Bob. That means, "I give to Bob."
If I sign GIVE-TO starting the movement from the place off to the right and move it to
the left it means Bob gave to Fred. If I sign starting from off to the left and bring the sign GIVE TO toward my body what
would it
mean?
Sandy: "Fred give to me?"
Dr. Bill: Right.
See also:
Grammar
Negation