TEMPORAL ASPECT
Excerpts from ASL A Teacher's Resource Text on Grammar and Culture"
Baker-Shenk/Cokely

Temporal - pertaining to time   
Aspect -     how an event, described by a verb, is viewed.  For example:
                         -  in progress    - repeated    - habitual    - momentary

By modulating (inflecting) the verb, information concerning the 'duration' or 'frequency' of the action is shown.

An example of four inflections:

OVER TIME - continually; regularly; for awhile"  This inflection is made with a repeated, circular movement.

REGULARLY - to do it frequently; a lot; focused"  This inflection is made with a repeated, small straight-line movement.

   These inflections do not convey an implied opinion.

LONG TIME - to do it for a prolonged period of time"  This is made with a slower, larger repeated elliptical movement.

OVER AND OVER AGAIN - to do it with prolonged and repeated focus.  This is made with a repeated cycle - a tense straight line movement (short 'hold' at end of 'thrust' followed by an arc-like movement back to the starting place).

   These inflections do convey an implied opinion - usually meaning "too much".

Instructions:  With your partner, translate the following sentences into ASL.  Do not sign the English sentences literally.  Determine how best to sign each sentence in ASL and remember that prosody; sign intensity and emotive reactions convey information without being signed.   Determine which verb aspect (how often or how long) you will use with each sentence.

Practice Sentences:

1.  Working all the time and not playing is boring.

2.  Yesterday was my birthday.  My family went to a restaurant.  I ate and ate and ate. (with ease)

3.  When I was a kid, I didn't understand church.   It seemed that you stood continually for nothing.

4.  Every Saturday morning, my sister continually looks at TV. (with ease).

5.  For graduation, I interpreted continually.  (with attention).  When it was finished, my feet hurt.

6.  I analyzed and analyzed the picture until my eyes crossed over! (with difficulty).

7.  Every morning that girl combs her hair continually for one hour. (with attention).

8.  My father promised to come visit my daughter.  She waited and waited. (with ease).   He didn't
     show up.   She cried for some time.   I felt sorry for her.

9.  I enjoy visiting my sister.   I stay for two hours. (with ease)

10. Paula is a good worker.   She works continually all day.  (with attention).

11. I hate dating.  I meet a man.  I give him my telephone number and I wait and wait and wait for
      him to call.

12. I went to the doctor's office and sat for a long time.  Finally the doctor was ready.

13. For the last two weeks, my head has hurt continually.

14. That teacher is awful.   He's talked continually for three hours!

15. Last night I struggled for a long time with my homework.
 

HOMEWORK (to practice on your own!)

Use the following verbs to create four different ways to inflect  each verb  in a sentence.  (It may be helpful to have a lead-in sentence to create a context.)   
                              

GO-TO                        ASK                   FORCE
RUN-TO                      HIT                     BAWL-TO
THROW-TO                GIVE-TO            EAT    
INSULT                       INFORM             BOTHER     
SEND                          LOOK-AT           PLAY  Play
PREACH-TO              TEACH               WRITE
PICK-ON                     TEASE               ANALYZE
MAKE-FUN-OF           TTY-TO              STUDY
BLAME                        TELL                  MEET