what are non-maual signals/ markets/ behaviours based on ASL linguistic background.

i have to write a 5-10 page research paper on this in lay man language
for beginer ASL students to understand, specially those who are moce
unfamiliar with
the language.

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Clarification of Question by streetsmart786-ga on 19 Mar 2006 00:01 PST

just need a start for clarification
what this is all about
then i can do work on ma own
just need basic start what are these markers or signals

Hi

there are lots of useful materials here
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/

here's a small page on non-manual markers in ASL
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/nonmanualmarkers.htm

there is some more here on expression
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/facialexpressions.htm
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-1971.html
http://www.lessontutor.com/ees_asl_body_language.html
http://home.bluemarble.net/~langmin/miniatures/asl.htm

some examples including animations
http://www.handspeak.com/tour/byte/index.php?byte=facialexpress

Hi

As explained in the first link I posted previously
"Nonmanual markers consist of the various facial expressions, head
tilting, shoulder raising, mouthing, and similar signals that we add
to our hand signs to create meaning."
I might add that they are also used to modify, as well as create, meaning.

In signed languages they are loosely equivalent to the non-verbal
components of spoken language.

see Non-verbal communication
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonverbal
Paralinguistics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralinguistics
Kinesics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesics

Many markers will be shared between speakers and signers from the same
general cultural background but many are unique and will mark a
linguistic boundary between signers and speakers.