Conversation 1: Use the term “of” or not? There is a debate between “Anti-English ASL” and “Pro-Comprehensible ASL”. Anti-English: Have you met the best player (cross out “of”) the team? Pro-Comprehensible: Which do you mean: the best player’s team or the best player from the team? Anti-English: I meant the best player of the team. Pro-Comprehensible: Oh, eliminating “of” changes the meaning of the sentence. Anti-English: “Of” is English. No, ew! Pro-Comprehensible: ASL can include “of” sometimes. ASL has its certain ways of using it. It doesn’t have to be like English 100% all the time. ASL can have a variety of options. “Of” is cool because when there are two words in relation and you want to sign the second word first, adding “of” allows it to happen. Anti-English: No, ew! Pro-Comprehensible: Oh, ok. (Flashes a fake smile.) The GIF in reaction of gasping appears.
Conversation 2: Use the term “by” or not? Anti-English: Guess what? I am supported (cross out “by”) who? the government. Pro-Comprehensible: Oh, so you support the government? Anti-English: No, I meant I am supported by the government. Pro-Comprehensible: Oh, replacing “by” with “who” changes the meaning of the sentence. It is not the same. Anti-English: “By” is English. No, gag! Pro-Comprehensible: “By” is cool because the focus of the sentence can be switched. ASL can include “by” sometimes. ASL has its rules. Generally, language borrows other languages’ features to benefit itself and advance. Anti-English: No, gag! Pro-Comprehensible: Oh, ok. (Flashes a fake smile.) The GIF in reaction of a shocker appears.
Conversation 3: Use the term “to” or not? Anti-English: Tell them to run to you. Pro-Comprehensible: Run to where? To there or to you? Anti-English: Run to you. Pro-Comprehensible: Oh, ASL can include the sign “to” sometimes. ASL has its rules and include 3D signs. For example, tell them to run to you. Anti-English: “To” is English. No, barf! Pro-Comprehensible: FYI, eliminating functional words all time causes some sentences to be unclear. Anti-English: I don’t care! No, double barf! Pro-Comprehensible: Oh, ok. (Flashes a fake smile.) The GIF in reaction of a face palm appears. The issue is the same with other functional words like “be”, “at”, “or”, etc. The GIF in reaction of saying “what?!” appears.