Question

How do you change a statement in American Sign Language to a question?

Answer 1

In ASL you usually change a statement into a question with non-manual signals (facial expression, head/body position) rather than adding a word like English “?” or switching word order much. Two common types:

- Yes/No questions
- Raise your eyebrows, tilt your head forward slightly, lean toward the addressee, and hold the last sign longer. Keep eye contact.
- Example (gloss): YOU GO STORE. (statement)
- YOU GO STORE? (yes/no question — eyebrows up, lean forward, hold STORE)

- Wh-questions (who, what, where, when, why, how)
- Lower/knit your eyebrows (furrow), tilt head forward, lean in, and hold the final sign. The WH-word is typically signed (often placed at the end of the clause).
- Example (gloss): YOU LIVE HERE. (statement)
- YOU LIVE HERE WHERE? or YOU LIVE WHERE? (wh-question — eyebrows down, hold WHERE)

Other tips
- Non-manual signals are grammatically required in ASL; don’t just add a question word without changing your face/body.
- Practice in a mirror or with native signers; video examples are very helpful.
- Watch native signers to learn natural timing and intensity of facial expressions.