Asking questions
WH-words, yes/no, and the eyebrows that make a question a question.
Focus
Grammar on the eyebrows
Furrowed brows mark a WH-question (what, where, why); raised brows mark a yes/no question. Hold the expression across the whole question, not just the question word.
Word order
WH-words usually come at the end in ASL: 'YOUR NAME WHAT?' — not 'what is your name'.
Signs in this lesson
Open any sign for its full history, sources and minimal pairs.
Hold both open hands palm-up and give a small shake, brows drawn together.
Hold up a single index finger and shake it side to side, brows furrowed.
Hold a bent index finger just in front of your chin and flex it a couple of times, brows furrowed and lips slightly pursed.
Touch your fingertips to your forehead, then pull the hand away as it closes into a 'Y', brows furrowed.
Make a fist and nod it up and down at the wrist — a nodding head.
Snap the index and middle fingers down against the thumb once.