Conversing in ASL

Six strategies for confirming understanding and asking for clarification

1. When you miss a whole statement:
   Avoid using the signs "again" and "slow". Deaf people see ASL students use these all too often. Just as hearing people don't just say to each other, "Again" or "Slow" when asking for clarification, that's not how Deaf people sign to each other when they don't understand. Instead, use the same language Deaf people use when conversing with each other. Rather than signing, "again" or "slow" when you miss an entire sentence, sign "What?" with a questioning facial expression.
    
2. When you miss some signs or want to confirm understanding:
    
   To confirm that you understand the signer correctly, restate or repeat the message back to the signer with a questioning facial expression. This will allow the signer the opportunity to confirm that you understood them correctly or to clarify parts you misunderstood.
    
3. When you miss a fingerspelled word:
   Sign "finger spell" with a questioning facial expression to ask the person to respell the word. Simply signing this one sign with a questioning facial expression is the equivalent to asking, "What did you just finger spell?" or "Could you finger spell that again?"
    
4. To slow down fingerspelling:
   In order to avoid having the person spell a word you missed over and over again, finger spell the word with the person. This allows you to control the speed of the fingerspelling because the signer shouldn't move on to the next letter until you sign the letter they are currently signing. Spelling with Deaf people significantly slows down their finger spelling to a pace you can read!
    
5. To improve your fingerspelling and comprehension:
   Both while finger spelling yourself and while reading others' fingerspelling, rather than spelling out the word letter by letter in your mind, sound out the word. To improve your comprehension when reading fingerspelling, it also can help if you catch the first and last letters of the word or if you have a foreknowledge of the topic being discussed.
   
   
6. Don't fake it:
   Don't pretend you understand what a person is signing to you if you don't really understand. This will only get you in to trouble when the person you are conversing with realizes you don't understand. It shows you don't really care when the person has to tell you. Take the time to ask for clarification. One technique to help you understand the general gist of the conversation is to mimic the facial expression of the signer. This can help you understand the tone or feelings that the signer is trying to convey.