Anij, yes, that is exactly what I mean. I forgot about regionalism...but context, can you give me a small example of when I could use it? I mean, to me, it just seems easier to sign "hungry *?*" if you're busy or really tired, but I don't want to take the lazy/incorrect/easier way either.
It really depends on the context, and what the sign is that is preceding (ie is my hand already up in that position, for fingerspelling etc). For things like "are you hungry", I'd sign "HUNGRY" and then use appropriate facial grammar to make it a question.
I mostly use the "question" (index flex) to emphasis that what asking IS a question ... or to indicate I have a question I'd like to ask etc. It's sort of tricky to explain (for me at least) because it's almost an un-conscious thing I add as needed (again usually to clarify or emphasis facial grammar).
Maybe someone else can give a better more concrete example.
I also had another question I'll post here.
When I'm signing, I tend to sign very PSE (or maybe it's more SEE and I just dont' realize it.) I omit some words that I don't feel are needed, don't always use English grammar/word for word, and don't use "a" "an" "the" "ing" etc. Is it...insulting/annoying/hard to follow, I guess, for me to keep signing this way until I learn more vocabulary and feel more comfortable?
Really the best thing to do (sooner rather than later) is to get some books on ASL grammar, and see if you might be able to borrow some ASL videos from a local Deaf Community Centre or Deaf School library (some schools will allow you to borrow IF you offer a deposit worth the cost of the DVD, then when you return it, you get your money back provided the DVD is in the same condition).
It can be very hard to follow, espeically for those who's first language is ASL - sort of like if someone applied French/Spanish/German grammar rules to English words and spoke that way. For example if I say "I went to the store to buy some apples" the meaning would be clear, however if I said "store apples I buy them went" ... you'd have to puzzle through and make a lot of guesses as to what I
may have meant, but you'd also be likely to misunderstand if I had gone, was going, needed to go, or if I was going to the store for the apples, or I was at the store and they had apples so I got them (timeline, tenses, and intent of action).
Taking the time to learn at least the basics of ASL grammar structure will be a huge advantage, because ASL is meant to use movement and space to fill in the complete picture - but it only works if the grammar is used (reasonably) correctly.
It's also a sign of respect. ASL is our (Hoh/Deaf) language ... it's beautiful, it's intricate, and complex ... but it is NOT "English edited/taken out of order and put on the hands". ASL is more than just signs put together, in the same way that English is more than just words put together. If you really want to learn and use ASL, then taking the time and effort to learn both vocabulary AND grammar is very very important.
In most situations, I think you're also MUCH more likely to find Hoh and Deaf ASLers willing to help you out if you show that you are trying to use our ASL grammar, not SEE (which isn't a language at all) type English word order, thinking it's "ASL-like".
LAST question for a while, I promise. When I'm signing with someone, and we have a moment of "both trying to sign at once, then we both stop to let the other go" how can I let them know to go ahead? The best sign I could think of was "continue."
There's a few of ways to do this ... the two I use most of the time (I think?) are:
I put my hand out in front of me and gesture, sort of the same way you'd indicate someone to go in front of you in a line/doorway etc. It's sort of a "closed 5/ open B" palm up facing in sort of at an angle like "/" for righties (or "\" for lefties)
A modified version of the sign "TURN" (as in your turn / next turn) made with a "L" hand (palm in).
HTH
