
It's been a while since I last blogged anything - sometimes life sweeps you away with too many responsibilities. Besides, I want to give quality information and avoid ramblings, so some months will pass by before a new blog will appear.
I've noticed this year, lately, my ADD (attention deficit disorder) has somehow worsened - so I've been seeing an EEG biofeedback trainer who uses a very modern technology to improve my brainwaves so that I can concentrate better. I can only afford to go twice a month and will need about 20 or 30 sessions to see results. Hopefully with improved concentration, I can teach/evaluate/blog/organize papers better!
Anyway, this month, as of May 04, 2014 is Ziggy's fifth birthday!!!
Happy Birthday sweetie pie! I'm kind of chuckling because I am already seeing little white hairs sprouting on his body - he is aging! Awww! Everyone keeps thinking he's a puppy but he's 5 years old. Will spoil him with goodies, treats, play at a park and a nice bath.

ASL Classifiers
You need to clearly identify which noun (person, place or thing) it stands for whether it is present or not (by pointing to or signing) first before you can use a specific type of classifier to represent the noun.
Label the noun by either signing it or finger-talking it
and then show the hand shape of it. Never just show the hand shape without labeling it or people won't understand what you're referring to.
1. DESCRIPTIVE CLASSIFIER- sign used to describe a person, an object or an animal. Size and shape specifiers can be described. (i.e. braided hair, plaid shirt, exterior house design)
2. LOCATIVE CLASSIFIER -
sign to represent an object in a specific place that sometimes show movement. It shows preposition. (horse jumping over fence, cat under a car)
3. SEMANTIC CLASSIFIER -
sign to represent a category of nouns, i.e.: vehicle, person, animal. It can become a verb to show movement. (animal walking on feet, car making a right turn)
4. BODY CLASSIFIER (a.k.a. mime)-
usually requires role shifting to show or enact the verb of the sentence. (holding hands with a friend, a high five)
5. INSTRUMENT CLASSIFIER -
sign to show hands that manipulate an object (throw dices, pull a wagon, open the blinds)
6. BODY PART CLASSIFIER -
sign to show a specific part of the body doing the action. (kicking a ball, tiptoeing, crossing legs)
7. PLURAL CLASSIFIER -
sign to show a specific number or non-specific number. (four people walking, hordes of cattle)
8. ELEMENTAL CLASSIFIER -
sign to show an element of the earth, i.e.; air, water, fire, smoke, sparkles, light.
(water dripping, bonfire, gust of wind)
Using classifiers is what makes information conveyed in ASL very clear. It takes time to figure out how to describe a person, place or things. There are very specific patterns to follow and once you get a knack of it - it will all gel together nicely!
www.ASLmasterTutor.com
Office hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm MST
Serve only in the first 3 weeks of each month.
Advanced reservations required.

Hand Speak is a website run by a deaf woman that has plethora of good information - after reviewing her ASL video dictionary - I decided it passes my criteria of updated signs:
http://www.handspeak.com/word/index.php?dict=pa&signID=3700
For people on the go or travels a lot - depends on their iPhone or laptop - here's a nifty charge key device:
http://www.hellonomad.com/products/chargekey-iphone5
Here's a Rewild Summer Course that is teaching tracking in ASL!!!!
http://www.rewildportland.com/educational-programs/workshops/asl-animal-tracking-and-observation/
I stumbled on a cool Deaf Entrepreneur website:
http://www.deafentrepreneursusa.com/Services.html
Discovered a person who transcribes movies, documentaries and videos for Deaf/HoH viewers:
http://www.guru.com/service/close-caption-and-transcribing/colorado/broomfield/46673
Here is a fun new ASL rap singer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lQx1f5lEFo

http://www.lwsquared.net/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=190_
Cheers,
RaVen Sequoia
www.ASLmasterTutor.com