Classifiers and Facial Expressions

THE Bible account of Jesus’ encounter with a deaf man indicates that Jesus may have used descriptive gestures. He may have motioned to the deaf man to follow him. Before putting his fingers in the man’s ears, Jesus may have showed his hands to the man to make sure that he understood what was about to happen. Jesus then spit and touched the man’s tongue. Finally, Jesus looked up into heaven, breathed a deep sigh, and said the word “Ephphatha.” By looking into the sky, he left no doubt as to who was behind this miracle, in a sense using his body as a classifier to convey information!—Mark 7:32-37.

What are classifiers, and how can they be used in talks and in the ministry? It will be helpful to become familiar with some general classifiers and the basic principles behind them.

Classifiers. Classifiers are specific handshapes that can depict a noun, describe physical characteristics of a noun and its location, and indicate specific verb action. They can be used similarly to the way that pronouns are used. However, classifiers are far more sophisticated, because all of this descriptive information can be integrated with a specific handshape to form a classifier. For example, the sentence “A man walked briskly toward the house” could be conveyed by using the “1” handshape and moving it in the same way as a brisk walking gait. A single sign thereby conveys not only the man but also the direction and manner in which he walked.

Classifiers are an intrinsic part of the language of native signers. They use classifiers frequently in their signing without conscious thought. They may sign a word, either a noun or a concept, and then use a wide variety of classifiers to represent it.

There are a number of different types of classifiers, each serving a different purpose. Some examples are listed below.

Many classifiers represent categories of nouns. For example, there is a classifier which represents any vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a boat, and so forth. Another classifier can indicate a person. In general, the letter “v” signed with bent fingers can represent a person or an animal.

To use these types of classifiers correctly, first consider which classifier corresponds with an object and then use the classifier to show the object’s movement or location. For example, consider the sentence “A boy was walking.” First, you would sign “boy,” and then you would use a classifier that conveys the idea of the boy walking. Classifiers in some sign languages, such as Japanese Sign Language and Korean Sign Language, inherently include gender, making sentences even shorter.

Other classifiers indicate location and the relation between objects. For example, both hands could use the handshape of the vehicle classifier to show a close car race with one car passing the other at the finish line. Although only one sign (the vehicle classifier) is used by either hand throughout the story, the events are depicted by the movement of the hands, their location in relation to each other, and the manner in which they are moved. This use of classifiers is quite sophisticated and is a mark of a fluent signer.

Another type of classifier involves using the entire body to reenact an event or to depict something that will happen. In the account of the deaf man, Jesus did something similar by putting his fingers in the man’s ears to show that he would cure his deafness and by looking up into heaven to show that Jehovah would give him power. This kind of classifier can also be used to personify abstract concepts, such as “death.” Facial expressions can add further details about the manner in which something was done or will be done. For example, you could show the manner in which a person waits for a bus by the way you position your body, either upright as if eagerly looking for the bus, or slouched over as if tired of waiting. Or you can show how a person drives, whether he is nervous and tense, relaxed, or even sleepy.

Some classifiers can be used to represent a feature or part of the body. For example, they can be used to describe a person’s nose, to indicate that his eyes are large, or to convey the size of his biceps. In addition to describing a body part or feature, these classifiers can also show motion. One could be used to show how quickly someone’s legs are moving as he runs. A certain eye movement can indicate that a person is flirting. This type of classifier can focus on a very small feature and magnify it to convey additional information. For example, you can use a classifier to show a vein in your arm and then expand the classifier. Thereafter, you can use the classifier to give details about the blood running through the vein, such as the various elements it contains.

Classifiers can indicate the basic size and shape of an object or describe its appearance. They can show the diameter of a tree trunk or the height of the tree, the shape of a clay vessel, or the immensity of the ark. The way the mouth is moved while using these classifiers provides additional information about the size. These mouth movements can also describe shape, depth, distance, and texture. For example, notice the difference between the way “fine flour” is signed at Leviticus 2:1 and the way “coarsely crushed new kernels” is signed at Leviticus 2:14.

Some classifiers are used to describe the way a handheld object is handled or moved. They can indicate writing with a pen or pencil, hammering a nail, operating a machine, or moving a gearshift in a car.

Other classifiers are used when discussing natural elements. They can show running water, a waterfall, hissing steam, fire and smoke, a man’s breath when it is cold, jet stream from an airplane, fog, dew, and so forth.

Using classifiers in combination with proper vocabulary, role shifts, mouth movements, head tilts, shoulder movements, and eye gaze makes it possible to express virtually any thought in sign language in a number of different ways. However, those learning sign language should be careful not to exaggerate use of classifiers, as if trying to pantomime an event. Classifiers are a part of sign language, whether they are used subtly or overtly. They are not simply pantomime.

Facial Expressions. Facial expressions play a vital role in sign language. The Creator has placed a large concentration of muscles in the face—over 30 in all. An almost endless variety of facial expressions can be made by using these muscles. It is not uncommon to hear people comment that sign language is very expressive. While all languages are expressive to a degree, the visual nature of sign language requires that every detail be produced graphically. The face can convey emotion, but it also can convey grammar, description, and manner. Movements of the eyebrows can indicate a yes-or-no question or can signify whether a question is rhetorical or not. The mouth, cheeks, and eyes can be used to inflect a sign to communicate information such as size, length of time, and so on. Meaning can also be affected by tilting the head forward or back.

Keep in mind that while some facial expressions are grammatical or inflectional, others are used to convey emotions and reactions. More than any other bodily feature, your face expresses how you really feel. Your eyes, the shape of your mouth, and the inclination of your head all play a part. Without a single sign, your face can convey indifference, disgust, perplexity, amazement, or delight. When such facial expressions accompany signing, they add visual and emotional impact.

Whether you are on the platform or are participating in the field ministry, you are endeavoring to share with people a message that is pleasant, one that can make their hearts rejoice. A warm smile confirms that. On the other hand, if your face is devoid of expression, this may raise questions about your sincerity.

More than that, a smile tells others that you have a kindly feeling toward them. This is especially important in these days when people are often afraid of strangers. Your genuine smile can help people to relax and to be more receptive to what you say.

Using classifiers and facial expressions correctly adds color and life to your presentation. More importantly, it makes your message simple and clear. Information can be conveyed with fewer signs. Classifiers and facial expressions are often intuitive and natural to the signer. They are also easy to understand, even for deaf people who have had little education or exposure to sign language.

Whether you have been signing for a long time or have recently begun to learn sign language, continue to cultivate these skills. Learn to use them well to help you reach the hearts of your audience.