ASL Linguistics: Phonology, Morphology, and Syntax
Domain 1: ASL Linguistics - Phonology, Morphology, and Syntax
This domain tests metalinguistic knowledge of ASL as a natural language: how signs are built from contrastive parameters, how morphemes combine, and how syntax and non-manual grammar create sentence meaning. Expect items that ask you to identify a minimal pair, classify a morphological process, or choose the non-manual marker that matches a sentence type.
Because the test framework available here does not list domain titles, this section uses the working title above; confirm exact wording on official preparation materials.
Phonology and minimal pairs
ASL phonology has parameters: handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and non-manual features. A minimal pair differs in only one parameter. MOTHER and FATHER share handshape and movement but differ in location (chin vs. forehead). SIT and CHAIR are related but not a minimal pair. Non-manual markers can be phonological (e.g., mouth morphemes) or grammatical (brow position, head tilt), so do not dismiss them as mere expression.
Morphology
Agreement verbs such as GIVE and TELL move through space from source to goal. Spatial verbs encode locations and paths. Classifier predicates combine a handshape with movement to depict an entity, handling, or shape. Aspect is marked by movement modulation: continuative (hold and circular movement), iterative (repeated), habitual (slow, repeated). Numeral incorporation appears in signs like TWO-WEEKS or THREE-YEARS-OLD.
Syntax
Basic order is often SVO, but topic-comment is common: the topic is established first, often with raised brows, then commented on. Yes/no questions use raised brows and a head tilt; wh-questions use furrowed brows and a head shake or forward head position. Conditionals use raised brows in the antecedent clause. Rhetorical questions use raised brows and function as topicalization, not as real questions.
Worked example
Gloss: TODAY YOU GO STORE. With neutral face and no final hold, it is a statement: 'You are going to the store today.' With raised brows, widened eyes, head tilt, and a final hold, it is a yes/no question: 'Are you going to the store today?' With furrowed brows and a head shake, it could be a wh-question only if a wh-sign (WHERE/WHEN) is present; otherwise the furrow alone does not create a wh-question. Reasoning: non-manual grammar has scope over the clause, and lexical wh-signs are normally required.
Traps
Treating ASL as English word order; ignoring the scope of non-manual markers; calling every handshape a classifier; confusing ASL mouth morphemes with English mouthing; assuming a single sign equals a single English word.