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Introduction
You may have noticed that Deaf people use a lot of facial expression and head movements. These are called "non-manual markers" or "facial grammar". They not only show affect or emotion, but also have grammatical functions. Just as speakers of English use vocal intonation to mark sentence types, signers use facial grammar to ask a question, make a negative statement (by using a head shake), or to emphasize a point. The following lessons concentrate on the primary facial grammar necessary for ASL communication.

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Yes/No Question
A yes/no question requires a simple yes or no answer. For example, "You deaf?" or "You like coffee?" To ask a yes/no question, a signer should do the following:

                           1) Raise eyebrows (widen eyes)
                           2) Lean head forward slightly
                           3) Hold the last sign in the sentence

The eyebrows UP are very important, for this implies that a yes/no question has been asked. Otherwise, if you don't see the eyebrows UP, the signed sentence is a statement, "You deaf." or "You like coffee." Your eyebrows must be the question mark! Think of the voice inflection when one is asking a question in English, typically the voice raises slightly at the end of the question, just like the eyebrows in signed conversation.

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"WH" Question
A "wh" question asks who, what, where, when, how, etc., and requires a statement for an answer. To ask a "wh" question, a signer should do the following:

                           1) Lower the eyebrows
                           2) Lean head forward
                           3) Hold the last sign in the sentence (usually a "wh" sign)

Note: When watching someone sign, you should always focus on the signer's face. Vital information is conveyed using non-manual markers or facial grammar, you could miss the signer's intent. Avoid the tendency to focus on signers' hands. Approximately 60% of ASL conversation is based on expression.

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Rhetorical Question
When signing a rhetorical question--a question asked solely for effect and not to elicit a reply--the signer raises the eyebrows. The reason for this is logical: you don't expect an answer. By raising your eyebrows you alert your audience. Otherwise, if your eyebrows were lowered, you may have many responses! The following is a signed example:

                           English: Do you know what happened? I fell asleep in
                                       ASL class!
                              ASL: You know happened what? (eyebrows up) ASL
                                       Class, I fell asleep! (ASL teacher, shoe
                                        throw-at-me finish. Me, wokeup!)

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