Signing Naturally Unit 8:8 focuses on "Figuring the Meaning" by employing five specific strategies—listing, opposites, describing/acting out, defining, and storytelling—to identify unknown signs. The workbook section includes identifying concepts like "screwdriver" and "noisy" through classifiers, alongside narrative descriptions of scenarios involving distracted movie-goers and borrowed vehicles. For more details, visit Course Hero.
Signing Naturally Unit 8.8: Asking for a Sign , the primary focus is identifying and practicing strategies used when you have forgotten or do not know a specific sign. Homework 8.8: Figure the Meaning (Workbook Page 121)
In this exercise, students watch video clips and identify both the target sign being asked for and the the signer used to elicit it. Course Hero Target Sign Strategy Used Screwdriver / Drill Describe or Act out List things in a category Driver's License Give a definition (or Act out) Smart / Pass a test List things in a category (or Act out) Plain / No idea Use opposites Oversleep / Sleep in Give a definition (or Describe) No money / Broke / Shopaholic Describe or Act out Describe or Act out Noisy / Hyperactive List things in a category (or Act out) Mixer / Hand mixer Describe or Act out Key Strategies for Asking for a Sign
If you forget a sign during a conversation, avoid relying solely on fingerspelling. Instead, use these five common strategies: List things in a category:
For example, if you forget "AUNT," list "MOM, DAD, GRANDMA..." then ask for the sign for the female relative. Use opposites: Sign "MALE," then sign "OPPOSITE" to elicit "FEMALE". Describe or Act out: classifiers
or gestures to show how an object is used (e.g., mimic using a screwdriver). Give a definition:
Explain the concept in ASL without using the specific English word. Tell a story/situation: signing naturally homework 88 answers patched
Describe a specific event that would naturally lead to the word you are looking for. Narratives & Mini-dialogues (Related Unit 8 Exercises) Narrative 1:
Melvin and a friend go to a movie; a woman nearby uses her phone. Melvin asks her to stop, she yells, and they eventually change seats. Narrative 2:
Tonique has a slow coworker. Tonique gets frustrated and scolds her; the boss later asks Tonique to be more patient. Eugene’s Name Signs (8.14):
Eugene’s name signs evolved from a simple "E" to descriptive signs related to a beard, a movie character (Thief of Bagdad), and eventually back to an "E" on the chin after shaving. Course Hero translation for any of the mini-dialogues in Unit 8?
Cracking Unit 8.8: Strategies for Asking for a Sign When you're stuck and don't know the sign for a word, fingerspelling is the easy way out—but it's not always the best one. Signing Naturally Homework 8:8 focuses on expanding your visual communication toolkit by using context-based strategies instead. Homework 8.8 Answer Key Predicted Answer (Concept) Strategy Used Screwdriver (or Drill) Describe or Act Out Europe List Things in a Category Driver's License Give a Definition Pass the test (or Smart) Describe or Act Out Plain (or No Idea) Use Opposites Oversleep (or Sleep in) Give a Definition / Describe Broke (or Shopaholic/No Money) Describe or Act Out Worried Describe or Act Out Hyperactive (or Noisy) List Things in a Category Mixer Describe or Act Out Understanding the 4 Key Strategies
The goal of this assignment is to move away from English-based fingerspelling and toward conceptual signing. Signing Naturally Unit 8:8 focuses on "Figuring the
List Things in a Category: Group related items (e.g., "Dad, Mom, Grandpa..." to prompt "Aunt").
Use Opposites: Sign a known concept and then its opposite (e.g., "Male" to get "Female").
Describe or Act Out: Use classifiers or gestures to show how an object is used or what it looks like.
Give a Definition: Explain the concept in ASL to get the specific label. Why Context Matters
If you fingerspell "RUN" when you mean your nose is running, a Deaf person might think you're talking about a person running down the street. By using these strategies, you provide the necessary context to get the correct sign for your specific situation.
Need a hand with the next section? Tell me which Unit 8 narrative you're working on, and I'll help you summarize the plot! Is this describing a movement (searching) or a
ASL II Homework: Figure the Meaning and Narratives to Improve
Without direct access to specific homework assignments or their answers, I can offer a general approach to how one might tackle the types of exercises found in "Signing Naturally" and similar ASL learning materials. If you're looking for answers to specific questions or homework, I recommend reviewing your textbook or curriculum materials first, as they often contain examples, stories, and exercises designed to help you learn.
For tricky questions (especially classifier identification), rewatch 10 seconds at a time. Pause after each classifier handshape and ask:
Teachers respect students who say, “I’ve watched 8.8 six times, and I can’t identify the classifier when the signer looks under the table. Can you replay that 5-second clip and explain the handshape?” This shows effort, not laziness.
Many colleges offer ASL tutoring through disability services or language departments. Bring your workbook and the video link – tutors will not give answers but will re-explain the signing.
In most editions of Signing Naturally Units 7–12, Homework 8.8 features a narrative about a lost item – often keys, a wallet, or a phone. The signer describes:
Some versions use a story called “Where are my keys?” or “The Lost Wallet.” If your instructor assigned a different narrative, the structure remains the same: first-person reenactment with role-shifting.