Depiction is the act of visually representing something through signs and symbols. It is a valuable skill that allows us to communicate ideas and concepts. When it comes to depicting objects or actions, there are various skills involved that help convey meaning effectively. To better understand these various skills of depiction, it is recommended to watch videos that provide examples of each skill in action. These videos can help you grasp the concepts and enhance your own ability to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL).
Descriptive classifier (DCL) is a specific handshapes for descriptive of specific objects and entities. It is also known as size and shape specifiers, (SASSes).
Body part classifier (BPCL) is a specific hanshapes representing a specific part of the body doing the action.
Instrumental classifier (ICL) is a specific handshapes for a description of what to do with or how to handle a specific object.
Locative classifier (LCL) is a specific handshapes representing an object or a person in a specific placement or spatial information about an object. It sometimes indicates movement.
Semantics classifier(SCL) is a specific handshape representing categories of nouns or verbs.
Element Classifier(ECL) uses both the handshapes and movements to describe the property and movement of the elements of fire, water, and air.
Plural Classifier(PCL) where the handshape and movement show that there is more than one of something. Some handshapes already indicate plurality, like CL:V(two people)”walking
Body Classifier(BCL) is a type of classifier that refers to a part of the body within the frame of the signing area. E.g. arm, head, etc. Unlike BPCL (body part CL), it is used directly by the part of a body.