ASL Gloss

A written notation system used to transcribe sign language by representing each sign with an English word written in capital letters. ASL gloss is used primarily for linguistic research, teaching, and documentation purposes rather than as a standard writing system for everyday use by the Deaf community. Each gloss label represents a sign and is typically written in the closest English equivalent, with additional notation for non-manual markers, spatial information, and other grammatical features. Gloss notation is not a full representation of ASL as it cannot fully capture the spatial, simultaneous, and non-manual aspects of the language.