A good example of a Non-Manual Marker (NMM) in American Sign Language (ASL) is the physical action of bringing your cheek and your shoulder closer together while tightening the muscles in your cheek, as if you were smiling with half your face. This specific non-manual marker often conveys concepts related to being thin, small, or a short distance.
Understanding Non-Manual Markers (NMMs)
Non-Manual Markers are crucial components of ASL, distinct from the manual signs made with the hands. They encompass a variety of facial expressions, head movements, and body postures that convey grammatical information, modify the meaning of signs, or express emotions. While the term "NMM" is often fingerspelled, it is also common for people to use the sign for "expressions" to refer to these vital linguistic elements.
Importance of NMMs
- Grammatical Function: NMMs can transform a statement into a question, indicate negation, or show the tense of a verb.
- Meaning Nuance: They add layers of meaning to signs, specifying size, intensity, or emotional tone that cannot be conveyed by hand signs alone.
- Contextual Clues: They provide critical context, helping signers understand the full intent and implications of a signed message.
Practical Example of an NMM in Action
The example provided—bringing your cheek and your shoulder closer together while tightening the muscles in your cheek (as if you were smiling with half your face)—is a powerful illustration of how non-manual features integrate with manual signs to create rich meaning.
Here’s a breakdown of what this particular NMM signifies:
- Visual Representation: This NMM visually depicts a sense of compactness or narrowness.
- Associated Meanings: When accompanying a sign, it can modify its meaning to convey:
- Smallness: Indicating something is very small or tiny.
- Thinness: Describing an object or person as slender or narrow.
- Proximity: Suggesting a short distance or something being very close.
By incorporating such precise non-manual movements, signers can add depth, clarity, and specific detail to their communication in ASL.
