Non-manual Markers in ASL / NMM's

Also see: Non-manual Signals

Non-manual markers consist of the various facial expressions, head tilting, shoulder raising, mouthing, and similar signals that we add to "signs" (such as are used in American Sign Language) to create or influence meaning.

The sign for non-manual markers is to fingerspell "NMM" but people often do the sign for "expressions" to mean NMM's.
 

An examples of a non-manual marker:

1.  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 is often abbreviated as "c-s" meaning "cheek to shoulder."  This non-manual marker is used with signs like, "RECENT" and "THERE" to mean, "very recent" and "right there (close)."
 

Speakers of English tend to inflect their voices to indicate they are asking a question. Signers of ASL also inflect their questions, but instead of using voice inflection we use non-manual markers. 

For example:

YES/NO Question Expression:
 When signing a question that can be answered "yes or no" you raise your eyebrows and tilt your head forward a bit.

"WH-Q" Question Expression:
When signing a question involving "who, what, when, where, how, how much, how many, which, or why" you use what is called a "wh" question facial expression. The "wh" facial expression "furrows" the eyebrows a bit and may tilt the head back a bit--while the body might lean forward a bit.

Here are some examples of "wh" question expression:

  why

  who
where
 

Nonmanual markers (NMMs) in American Sign Language (ASL) are essential facial expressions, head movements, and other body language cues that convey grammatical information. Here is a list of common nonmanual markers and their descriptions:

1. Eyebrows Raised:
   • Yes/No Questions: Raised eyebrows are used when asking yes/no questions.
   • Conditional Clauses: Raised eyebrows are used to indicate the conditional part of a sentence.
      
2. Eyebrows Furrowed:
   • Wh-Questions: Furrowed eyebrows are used when asking questions that begin with words like who, what, where, when, why, and how.
   • Negation and Doubt: Furrowed eyebrows can indicate negation or doubt.
      
3. Head Nods:
   • Affirmation: A nodding head indicates agreement or affirmation.
      
4. Head Shakes:
   • Negation: A shaking head indicates negation or disagreement.
      
5. Mouth Shapes:
   • "oo": Indicates something small or diminutive.
   • "mm": Indicates something regular, normal, or moderate.
   • "cha": Indicates something large or big.
   • "puffed cheeks": Can indicate something is very large, bulky, or intense.
   • "th": Indicates carelessness or a lack of precision.
   • "pursed lips": Can indicate intensity or seriousness.
   • "gritted / barred teeth": Can indicate effort under pressure, pain, or intensity.
      
6. Eye Gaze:
   • Directional Verbs: The direction of the gaze can indicate the direction of an action or the subject of the conversation.
      
   • Focus and Attention: Eye gaze can show where the signer is directing their attention.
      
7. Cheek Puffing:
   • Indicates intensity, size, or effort.
      
8. Nose Wrinkling:
   • Can indicate distaste or disapproval.
      
9. Shoulder Raising:
   • Indicates uncertainty or questioning.
   • single cheek-to-shoulder indicates "very" or "just" as in "very recent" or "just happened"
      
10. Head Tilting:
    • Used to emphasize a point or to indicate a question.

These nonmanual markers are crucial for understanding and conveying the full meaning of ASL signs, as they add grammatical and emotional context to the manual signs.