What are the 5 parameters of ASL?
In American Sign Language (ASL), we use the 5 Parameters of ASL to describe how a sign behaves within the signer’s space. The parameters are handshape, palm orientation, movement, location, and expression/non-manual signals.

All five parameters must be performed correctly to sign the word accurately.

Note: The signer’s space spans the width of your elbows when your hands are on your hips to the length four inches above your head to four inches below your belly button. Imagine a rectangle drawn around the top half of your body.

Handshapes consist of the manual alphabet and other variations of handshapes.

The different directions are listed below.
1. Palm facing out
2. Palm facing in
3. Palm is horizontal
4. Palm faces left/right
5. Palm toward palm
6. Palm up/down

Orientation refers to which direction your palm is facing for a particular sign. The different directions are listed below.

1. Palm facing out
2. Palm facing in
3. Palm is horizontal
4. Palm faces left/right
5. Palm toward palm
6. Palm up/down

A sign can display different kinds of movement that are named below.
1. In a circle
2. Up and down
3. Forward
4. Backward
5. Tapping
6. Back and forth
7. Wiggle

Location is the physical place where the sign happens in relation to your body within the signer’s space. The areas listed below are the most common locations. Additionally, signs can start in one location and end in a different location.
1. Chin
2. Shoulder
3. Front of body
4. Front left/right of body
5. Forehead...etc.

Non-manual signals refer to facial expressions or
1. Head nod/shake/tilt
2. Eyebrows
3. Nose
4. Eyes
5. Lips

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