5.8 Answers - Signing Naturally
. Course Hero +1 Event When Who Activity Other Info #1 Next Wednesday (21st), night Boyfriend Mexican restaurant Listen to music #2 Last Tuesday (6th), night Students Dancing at a club It was fun #3 Last Friday (9th), afternoon 2 roommates & her Boat to San Francisco Went sightseeing #4 Next Tuesday (20th), night Grandparents 50th Anniversary Party in a park #5 Last Monday (5th), morning Iva & 3 kids Bike ride to beach Iva sunbathed/read #6 Next Thursday (22nd), night 7 friends Camping Fishing #7 Last Wednesday (7th), night Priscilla & siblings School / Soccer game Birthday for nephew #8 Last weekend (9th–11th) Isias & family Skiing Played pool at a bar Minidialogues & Specific Questions Section 5.8 also includes comprehension questions regarding short signed conversations: Dog Descriptions
Signing Naturally Unit 5.8 focuses on "Asking What is the Sign," a critical skill for ASL students learning to navigate conversations when they encounter unknown vocabulary. This lesson moves beyond simple memorization and teaches you the strategies used by native signers to keep a conversation flowing. If you are looking for the Signing Naturally 5.8 answers, it is important to understand the why behind the signs. This guide breaks down the key concepts, the "Asking What is the Sign" strategies, and the homework outcomes found in the workbook. 💡 Key Strategies in Unit 5.8 In ASL, you don't just stop a conversation and ask "What is that?" Unit 5.8 teaches five specific ways to ask for a sign based on the context of what you are trying to describe. 1. Point to the Object If the object is physically present, simply point to it and use the "What is the sign?" handshape (brows furrowed, palms up). 2. Draw the Object For simple shapes or items that are easy to visualize (like a heart, a triangle, or a specific type of furniture), draw the outline in the air using your index fingers. 3. Use Opposites If you know the sign for "fast" but want to know the sign for "slow," you sign "fast," then sign "opposite" (two index fingers pulling apart), and look inquisitive. 4. Describe the Category If you are looking for the sign for "broccoli," you might sign "vegetable," then describe the color (green) and the shape (looks like a small tree). 5. Act it Out Use "mimesis" or acting. If you want to know the sign for "bowling," you would mimic the physical motion of swinging a ball and knocking down pins. 📝 Signing Naturally 5.8 Homework Answers & Insights The workbook exercises for 5.8 usually involve watching videos of signers using these strategies and identifying which one they are employing. Strategy Identification Scenario 1: The signer mimics the act of brushing teeth. Answer: Act it out. Scenario 2: The signer points to a coffee mug on the table. Answer: Point to the object. Scenario 3: The signer signs "Hot," then signs "Opposite." Answer: Use opposites. Scenario 4: The signer draws a large rectangle in the air and mimics a screen. Answer: Draw the object. The "What is the Sign" Handshape When asking for a sign, ensure your non-manual markers (NMMs) are correct: Brows: Furrowed (lowered). Head: Slightly tilted forward. Hands: Palms up, slightly shaking or moving inward. 🛠 Practice Tips for Unit 5.8 To master this unit, don't just look for the answers—practice the techniques. Try to describe three items in your room to a partner using only the five strategies listed above without fingerspelling the word. Avoid Fingerspelling: The goal of 5.8 is to stay in the "ASL zone." Fingerspelling should be your last resort. Watch the Context: Notice how the signers in the video use their eyes (eye gaze) to indicate what they are describing. Do you need a list of common opposites used in this unit? I can provide specific examples or visual descriptions to help you get through your homework!
Disclaimer: This article focuses on the educational strategies, linguistic concepts, and cultural context found within Signing Naturally Unit 5.8. It is designed to help students understand the material rather than simply providing a list of answer keys. In language learning, the process of understanding "why" an answer is correct is far more valuable than the answer itself.
Unlocking Unit 5.8: A Guide to Describing People in Signing Naturally For students of American Sign Language (ASL), the Signing Naturally curriculum is the gold standard. By the time a student reaches Unit 5.8, they have moved past basic introductions and are diving into the visual nuance of describing people. Unit 5.8 is typically centered on Identifying People and Describing Others . This unit is a critical pivot point where students must stop thinking in English word order and start thinking in visual-spatial terms. Below is a breakdown of the key concepts found in 5.8 and how to arrive at the correct "answers" within the curriculum. 1. The "DPT" Strategy: Description, Person, Thing One of the most fundamental concepts covered in this unit—and a frequent source of errors in homework answers—is the DPT strategy. In English, we might say, "I saw the tall man." In ASL, the structure shifts to establish the visual context first. When a homework problem in 5.8 asks you to identify someone, the correct structure usually follows: signing naturally 5.8 answers
Description: First, you describe the prominent features (height, body type, hair, clothing). Person: You indicate the gender and role (MAN, WOMAN, BOY, GIRL). Thing: If relevant, you identify a specific item associated with them.
If you are struggling with an answer key for 5.8, check your sentence structure. If you are signing the person before the description, you are likely missing the point of the unit. The goal is to paint a picture before identifying the subject. 2. Describing Physical Appearance Unit 5.8 expands vocabulary regarding the body and face. The "answers" in this section rely on specific classifiers and adjectives.
Height and Body Type: Students must master the distinction between "tall" (using the '1' handshape moving up) and specific body types (heavy, thin, muscular). The correct answer often depends on the intensity of the sign—signing "very tall" requires a different movement than just "tall." Hair and Face: The unit introduces complex facial descriptions. A common test question might involve distinguishing between "beard" and "mustache" or identifying hair color and length. Accuracy here is about detail; "long hair" is not just a sign, but a movement that traces the actual length of the hair on the head. If you are looking for the Signing Naturally 5
3. Cultural Insight: Attention-Getting Behaviors Beyond vocabulary, Signing Naturally is famous for integrating Deaf culture into every unit. 5.8 often touches on how to get someone's attention in a culturally appropriate way.
The Waving Method: A student answering a culture question in 5.8 needs to understand that screaming a name is inappropriate. The "answer" involves waving in the person's line of sight or tapping them gently on the shoulder. The Lights: Flickering lights is another key concept for getting the attention of a room. Questions regarding this topic require the student to explain why this is necessary (visual accessibility).
4. The Minidialogues: Comprehension Strategies The "Minidialogues" are often the most challenging part of the workbook. In 5.8, these dialogues usually involve two characters identifying a third party. To find the correct answers for these sections, students should focus on: Summary The "
The Pivot: Look for the moment the signer points to a location in space to represent the person they are talking about. The Negation: Often, a signer will describe someone and the partner will shake their head ("No") and provide a counter-description. Identifying the negation is crucial for answering "Who is it?" The "That-One": Watch for the index finger pointing. If a signer points to a specific spot and signs "THAT-ONE," they are confirming the identity.
Summary The "answers" to Signing Naturally 5.8 are not just vocabulary words; they are structural formulas. Success in this unit comes from mastering the Description-First structure, utilizing precise classifiers for physical attributes, and understanding the cultural etiquette of attention. By focusing on how you describe a person rather than just the English translation of the description, you will naturally arrive at the correct answers.