Paramters of Sign Languages

Author: Gavreel Asperillia-Zhu, Ed.D.

All spoken languages can be broken down. When we get to the smallest pieces, we have sounds (e.g. /sh/ /a/ /ae/). These sounds do not mean anything on their own, but when put together, they create words. 

Sign languages can also be broken down into meaningless parts. Many beginning ASL students can identify a few, but some are a little more tricky. The five parameters (phonemes) of sign languages are:

  • Handshape

  • Location

  • Movement

  • Palm Orientation

  • Non-Manual Signs.

Last Updated: March 25, 2025

Handshape

When describing the handshape of a sign, use the ASL Alphabet or Numbers (V and W should be used instead of 2 and 6). Sometimes, the letter is modified, and notations such as “2h,” “-bent,” “-open,” or “-mod” can be added to a handshape to show a change. Additionally, a few signs are unique and do not use an alphabet or number handshape, such as the ILY Handshape (AIRPLANE).

SNAKE

HANDSHAPE: V-bent

OFFER

HANDSHAPE: 2h-B-open

GOSSIP

HANDSHAPE: 2h-20

Location

When describing the location of a sign, be detailed and specific. Additionally, avoid words or phrases that may change the sign depending if the person is right-hand dominant or left-hand dominant. Use phrases such as “dominant side,” “non-dominant side,” and “neutral space.”

Movement

When describing the movement of a sign, be detailed and specific. Sometimes, multiple moving parts need to be described. The movement could include changing locations while also turning the hand. You also want to avoid phrases that could be mistaken for something else.

  • “Move back and forth.” | what’s moving back and forth? the hand? arm? wrist?

Palm Orientation

Palm Orientation can be tricky, but it is important. When determining which way the palm is facing, change the handshape to a 5; this will allow for easier sight on which way the palm is facing. Again, use phrases such as “towards dominant side,” “towards non-dominant side,” “upwards,” downwards,” and “towards body.”

Non-Manual Signs

The last parameter covers all the other body movements, eyebrow changes, mouth morphemes, and any other movement that is done but not on the hands. Some possible Non-Manual Signs (NMS) include:

  • Eyebrows furrowed

  • Eyebrows raised

  • Cha

  • Purse Lips

  • Tongue wiggle

There is always a non-manual because a signer’s face and body always exist. Most of the time, a signer will use a “neutral position” and “neutral face,” and therefore, I often use the term “N/A” when writing out parameters. I do not write “none” because their face is doing something; it is just neutral.

The Problem with Paramters…

Breaking down signs into their five parameters is useful for yourself or when chatting with another signer. However, using this system to describe signs can be limiting and does not help brand new signers or people who do not know the ASL alphabet.

Additionally, the parameters are limited to what you can explain. There are intricate details that cannot always be covered with these five parameters. If the fingers must point in a specific direction, do you describe that under location, movement, or handshape? None of them really seem to fit. But in some cases, such as THAILAND, the index finger points at the body at the beginning of the sign and points forward at the end of the sign.

So, the parameters have limitations, but they are also beneficial for an ASL learner. Many common “errors” produced by new ASL learners are often tied to the phonological level of language learning.