ASL's Anti-Lip Solution! (Subtitled Version Added)

A response to David Kerr's inquiry for an anti-lip program to get ASL signers to not mouth English during signing. My simple solution: Use Water!

Click here to see David Kerr's original post at deafchimpunk.blogspot.com and the comments, especially Mike (drmzz)'s video comment!

Without Subtitles


With Subtitles

I'm my own Deaf Barber

ASL Stories while giving myself a haircut.

Deaf in Heaven

I remember from my childhood a strong feeling of wanting to keep my Deaf identity when go to Heaven.

Maple Leafs VS Tampa Lightning

Tonight's vlog is a commentary on tonight's game. I think there isn't enough discussion happening on sports in ASL in the vlogsphere. The co-host is David Swift.

Toronto Maple Leafs will bring home the Stanley Cup!!

ASL Vlogs about sport news?

Im going to watch hockey game tonight -Toronto vs Tampa.. and I started wondering why there aren't more ASL Vlogs that discuss sports?

Vlogs & Blogs for Bi-Bi Education!

I use Jim Cumming's Theory of "The Relationship between American Sign Language Proficency and English Academic Development" to make a case that Vlogs & Blogs are the best thing ever for Bi-Bi Education of the Deaf!

*there is a typo of Jim Cumming's last name in the vlog. My apologies.



Receptive Quiz:

Language Theory: Deaf tend to use _________ as 1st language to learn _________________ as 2nd language.

Bi-Bi Education: #BIBI means Bi-___________ Bi-______________.

Vlogs & Blogs: How is English seen/used in the Bi-Bi vlogs?
Conculsion: What is the best thing to ever happen to Bi-Bi Education of the Deaf? Proven by what Theory?

Temporal Aspect in ASL

I explain the four possible temporal aspects used to show an action in ASL.

1. Regularly
2. Frequently
3. Over a prolonged time period
4. Over & over again



Receptive quiz:

What do all languages have the ability to discuss?
What are the three verbs I used as examples after showing the four temporal aspects?
What are the two suggested assignments?

References on Temporal Aspect in ASL:

Baker-Shenk, C., & Cokely, D. (1980). American Sign Language: A Teacher's Resource Text on Grammar and Culture. Silver Spring, MD: TJ Publishers, Inc.

Lucas, C., Mulrooney, J., & Valli, C. (2005). Linguistics of American Sign Language: An Introduction. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.

Discourse Re-tell: Some Thoughts on Fingerspelling

Receptive Quiz:

Where is “Some Thoughts on Fingerspelling” story from?
What is the name of person that signed the story?
What are the examples of natural fingerspelling?
What is an example of unnatural fingerspelling?
What are the 4 rules of when fingerspelling would be used?
What can hearing people do to better learn fingerspelling?
Where can you order the video with “Some Thoughts on Fingerspelling” story on it from?

ASLTA's Code of Ethics, Prinicple # 2: Teaching/Pedagogical Competence

Receptive Quiz:

I did this vlog as an assignment for what course?
What does the acronym ASLTA stand for?
Where can you find the ASLTA's Code of Ethics?
How many principles are there in the ASLTA's Code of Ethics?
When teaching ASL 101 – there needs to be adequate opportunity for what?
How can a teacher stay current and up to date on teaching strategies?
When I list methods a teacher may use to stay current and up to date on teaching strageties, what did I fingerspell (at 2:59) ?

Idiom: "Straight from the horse's mouth"

What does the idiom "straight from the horse's mouth" mean? Where did it come from? All those years I thought it had to do with the trade of horses and not with racing horses! Fun to unlearn something!

Super Spin

I made this with "Deaf people will be always around!" in mind and ended up with something spinny.

Fun Fingerspelling Backwards!

Thanks you elders of the Deaf Community the fun hertiage of fingerspelling backwards! There are ways to make it more challenging; doing longer words, doing it while walking backwards, doing it in lexicialized signing style instead of letter by letter.

Proud of my twin bro's vlogs!!

I'm proud to announce that Roger, my twin brother, has started a vlogsite. His 2nd vlog made me laugh so hard in the school library! Ssssh!

Then, just for fun, I've done a (poor) imitation of his first vlog. Ha! There is no substitute for the original. We would know!

>>> PLAY BOTH VLOGS AT SAME TIME <<<




>>> PLAY BOTH VLOGS AT SAME TIME <<<

ALIP Class Field Trip

ASL Fading? But It just here!

Expansions Applied: An Airline Complaint

"An Airline Complaint"

Businessman Passenger after de-boarding: "I want to complain about the turblence. I want a refund!"

Airline Attendant: "We will be glad to accept Airline related complaints. For Weather related complaints, take it up with God. Have a nice day!"

ASL Discussion: Comparing Canada & USA

ASL Expansions: Overview of 7 Techniques

Classifiers: Descriptive

Visual Gestural Communication: Adrian's Bio

Someone replied in Gestural! Hat tip to Victor (MHFChrist on YouTube)!

ASL of Story: Beware of Blind Date

Thank you Debra for the story!

ASL of Article: JFK & Lincoln Coincidences

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both were shot in the head.

Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners.
Both successors were named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are comprised of fifteen letters

Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse.
Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater.

Lincoln was shot at the theatre named 'Ford'
JFK was show in a car called 'Lincoln' made by 'Ford'

And here's the kicker,
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland.
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe

Semantics: "Whistler Mountain" & "Soon"

Discussion: Thanks, but my ASL is better than my English.

Discussion: Emotional Intelligence & Multiple Intelligences

Discussion & Inquiry: ASL sign for 'YouTube'

Discussion: Taking Care of Self

Discussion: Communicate Bi-Lingually

Discussion: Acting Bi-Culturally

Discussion: Business Skills

Discussion: Acting Ethically

Concept Map: What is difference between BICS & CALP and how does it apply to ASL?

Concept Map: What is ASL Literacy?

Discussion: Examine & Discuss ASL Culture incorporated in ASL Literary

Discussion: Identify & Discuss role of ASL Development Assessment tools

Discussion: Role of native language in 2nd language learning

Discussion: Why are Meta-Linguistic skills important for language development?

ASL Poem just for my Nephew!

Who am I?

0= Eyes Rolling
1= Number #1 on the side
2= Train tracks
3= Train
4= Whizzing through scenery
5= Steam coming out of chute

Cluster Map: Components of Language

Concept Map: What is ASL?

Discussion: Role of 2nd language Teaching & Learning for Hearing Students

Reflection: Presentation on Deaf Adult Upgrading Education

Discussion: Responsibilities as an Instructor

Discussion: My Values & Beliefs in Teaching

Discussion: My Teaching Philosophy

Discussion: Teachers "teaching" and students "learning"

Literary Analysis: "Folded Hands" ASL Poem

Literary Analysis Essay:

The best ASL poem ever is “Folded Hands” signed by Mel Carter Jr. found in the videotape “ASL Poetry: Selected Works by Clayton Valli” (1995). The videotape is available from Dawn Sign Press at their website www.dawnsignpress.com. It is an excellent example of ASL Literature and Deaf Literature. I enjoyed this ASL poem so much, that I’m gladly doing a 2 page literary analysis on it!

The narrator is the main character in the story. He is a Deaf person who attended a residential school for the deaf (institution) throughout from kindergarten to Grade 12. The narrator reminisces how at every meal at the institution’s cafeteria, his peers and he had to fold their hands after the meal before being excused to leave the table.

The minor characters in the story are the residential and school supervisors. The supervisors are the ones that serve as foils by telling the students to fold their hands at end of meal before they can be excused. The supervisors have a tremendous habit forming impact on the students. There are other characters that do not serve as foils, they are the narrator’s peers (other deaf students or other deaf people at a meeting) or hearing family members.


There is a definite pattern in the way the plot is constructed. The pattern is circular and repetitive. The story begins with a flashback to when the narrator was a student in the residential school and daily ritual of eating in the cafeteria at breakfast, lunch and supper. The signer plays an important role in the plot as he is the central character and expresses his experiences. There is foreshadowing of the upcoming irony with the repeated act of folding his hands and yet wondering why he does it.

The whole poem is ironic. The narrator appears to be examining himself and his experiences growing up at an institution. He wonders if he can break the habit of folding his hands at end of any meal or when he is at a table with other people. Then at the end of the poem, he folds his hands!

The imagery functions as such: Being able to move one’s hands in expression is pleasant. It is fun to chat around the dining table. It is fun to chat around the meeting table. It is pacifying to fold one’s hands and restricting one’s expression. It’s not fun being told to shut up. The narrator repeatedly

The setting in the story is mainly in the school cafeteria for the duration of the Deaf character’s schooling experience for three meals a day from kindergarten through to the 12th grade. As the narrator progresses in his story, the setting extends beyond the institution and into the restaurants, the family home, and the workplace (meetings). The narrator finds that he folds his hands everywhere.

The narrator is reliable. He is fluent in ASL. He seems to have experienced attending an Deaf institution. His ability to convey the imagery of the experience in institution cafeterias is excellent. Also the creator/author of this poem is Clayton Valli, a renowned ASL linguist, who brought ASL Poetry out into the light to be recognized as literature for his doctorate. Suppose the narrator was hearing and was not fluent in ASL, the point of view would be lost because it would not likely be signed in the first person (narrator perspective) and the hearing signer would not have the necessary schema to convey the rich imagery of the shared experience I have with the Deaf narrator.

The signer’s style hugely affects my response to the work (ASL Poem). Ken Carter Jr. signs beautifully, clear, and is perfectly geared to my viewing pleasure needs. I felt great reminiscing my own personal experiences in connection to the poem. The signer’s face expressions have tones of being wry, ironic, and suggestive. The signer doesn’t go into extremes of being mad or ecstatic, but demonstrates his preferences and not-so-preferred in behavioral norms. The signer’s style is very important in this story in setting a circular rhythm with repetition (the style matches the subject) that is easily received by the viewer and the message gets engrained into the consciousness.

The theme is “Why do I keep folding my hands? I have internalized my institutional experience!” This is related to Deaf identity and the habit is cherished even though it may have originally been oppressive. It makes me feel proud to have attended a deaf institution. This is the best poem ever!

Discussion: Importance of ASL Lit Log

Storysigning: "King & King" Parts 1 & 2

Storybook King & King signed in ASL

I sign a storybook in ASL. For ASL Literature course, part of ASL & Literacy Instructor Program at George Brown College in Toronto. It is in 2 parts, nearly 15 minutes long in total.

Part 1



Part 2

ASL Poem "Harry Potter & Quidditch"

ABC Story of Harry Potter & Quidditich..

ASL Poem "Toronto Homeless"

Discussion: Role of First Language in learning 2nd languages

I explain the role of first language in learning 2nd languages.

Discussion: Metalinguistism & Language Development

In this video I explain why metalinguistic abilities are important in language development.

Discussion: Pragmatic Development

I'm taking Language Acquistion & Development course at George Brown College.

Linguistics is study of language. The 5 components of linguistics are Syntax, Semantics, Morphology, Phonology & Pragmatics.

In this video, I explain Pragamatic Developmment.

Discussion: Areas of brain involved in linguistic processing

Language Development & Acquistion.
What areas of brain are involved with language processing? The Broca, Wernicke's, Auditory Cortex & Visual Cortex

ASL Poem "Daddy"

ASL Poem by Adrian Desmarais titled "Daddy" it is done using handshapes D-A-D-D-Y in that order to express my message

Film: A film I was part of in RIT in 1998!