In Unit 8.8, "Figure the Meaning," of the Signing Naturally student workbook, the focus is on strategies for asking for a sign you don't know. Instead of fingerspelling a word, which can lead to confusion, students are taught to use techniques like categorizing, using opposites, or acting out the concept. 8.8 Figure the Meaning Answer Key
The following table outlines the concept being signed in each clip and the specific strategy the signer uses to convey it. Course Hero Concept (Answer) Strategy Used Screwdriver Describe/Act Out List Things in Category Driver's License Give Definition Pass the test / Smart Describe/Act Out No idea / Plain Use Opposites Sleep in / Oversleep Describe/Act Out Shopaholic / No money Describe/Act Out Describe/Act Out Hyperactive / Noisy List Things in Category Describe/Act Out Homework 8.8: Sign Language Strategies
When you encounter an unknown sign, you should apply these four core strategies from the lesson: List things in a category:
Provide examples to narrow down the topic (e.g., listing "apple, banana, orange" to ask for the sign for "fruit"). Use opposites:
Sign a known concept and indicate its opposite (e.g., signing "cold" and then "opposite" to ask for "hot"). Describe or act out: Classifiers
(DCL/BCL) or gestures to show the shape, size, or function of an object. Give a definition:
Explain the meaning or relationship of the word (e.g., "my father's sister" to ask for "aunt"). Are you working on the narratives
in the later parts of Unit 8, such as the "Motel Story" or "Eugene's Name Signs"? ASL HW 8: Strategies for Asking for a Sign in Sign Language
The answer key for Signing Naturally Unit 8.8, titled "Figure the Meaning," focuses on identifying strategies used to ask for an unknown sign. This exercise requires students to watch video clips and determine which of the four primary strategies—Describe/Act Out, List Items in a Category, Give a Definition, or Use Opposites—the signer is employing. Signing Naturally 8.8 Answer Key Unknown Sign (Concept) Strategy Used 1 Screwdriver or Drill Describe/Act Out 2 List Things in the Category 3 Driver’s License Give a Definition 4 Pass the test Describe/Act Out 5 "No idea" / Clueless Use Opposites 6 Give a Definition 7 Shopaholic Describe/Act Out 8 Describe/Act Out 9 Hyperactive List Things in a Category 10 Describe/Act Out Key Strategies for Asking for a Sign
When you forget a sign or encounter one you don't know, the curriculum emphasizes these four core communication strategies:
Describe or Act Out: Use gestures or mime to show how an object is used or what an action looks like (e.g., mimicking the motion of a drill).
List Things in the Category: Provide examples within a group to lead the person to the specific sign (e.g., listing "France, Germany, Spain" to get the sign for "Europe").
Give a Definition: Describe the concept in ASL using signs you already know (e.g., explaining a "driver's license" as a plastic card needed to drive a car).
Use Opposites: Sign the opposite of what you mean to clarify the target concept (e.g., signing "smart" and then "not" to indicate "clueless").
This story follows a student named who struggles with the "Giving Directions: Neighborhood Locations" section of the Signing Naturally Unit 8.8 curriculum, specifically with identifying the correct locations in a signed narrative. After receiving a tip on focusing on the signer's non-manual markers and facial expressions, Leo learns to visualize the spatial map, allowing him to understand the directions and solve the exercises without needing a direct answer key.
The Signing Naturally Unit 8.8 lesson, titled "Figure the Meaning," focuses on strategies for asking for a sign when you don't know it or have forgotten it. The homework typically requires students to watch video clips and identify the unknown sign and the strategy used by the signer. Signing Naturally 8.8 Answer Key: Figure the Meaning Unknown Sign (Concept) Strategy Used 1 Screwdriver (or Drill) C. Describe or act-out 2 Europe A. List things in a category 3 Driver's License D. Give a definition 4 Pass the test (Aced it) C. Describe or act-out 5 No Idea (Clueless) B. Use opposites 6 Sleep in (Oversleep) D. Give a definition 7 Shopaholic (Broke/No money) C. Describe or act-out 8 Worried C. Describe or act-out 9 Hyperactive A. List things in a category 10 Mixer C. Describe or act-out Key Strategies for Asking for a Sign
According to the curriculum, there are five main approaches used in this unit:
A. List things in a category: Listing related items (e.g., "apple, orange, banana" to find the sign for "fruit").
B. Use opposites: Signing the opposite of the word you want (e.g., "not cold" for "hot"). Signing Naturally 8.8 Answer Key
C. Describe or act-out: Using gestures or classifiers to show how an object is used or what it looks like.
D. Give a definition: Explaining the meaning of the word in ASL.
E. Tell a story/situation: Providing context or a narrative to lead the other person to the word.
For further practice, you can find study aids on platforms like Quizlet and Course Hero.
Understanding Signing Naturally Unit 8.8: Skills and Concepts
If you are a student of American Sign Language (ASL), you know that the Signing Naturally curriculum is the gold standard for immersive learning. Unit 8 specifically focuses on "Describing People and Things," and lesson 8.8 is a critical juncture where students learn to describe physical items—specifically, the materials they are made of and their unique characteristics.
While many students search for a "Signing Naturally 8.8 answer key" to check their homework, the real value lies in understanding the linguistic rules being tested. The Core Objective of Unit 8.8
The primary goal of this lesson is to teach students how to describe objects with enough detail that a listener can identify the specific item among several possibilities. This involves a specific word order (Syntax) and the use of Descriptive Classifiers (DCLs). 1. The Sequence of Description
In ASL, you don’t just throw adjectives at a noun. There is a logical flow to how a native signer describes an object:
The Noun: Identify the object first (e.g., "BAG," "SHIRT," "TABLE"). Color: Mention the primary color.
DCLs (Size and Shape): Use handshapes to show the dimensions, thickness, or unique contours.
Material: Specify what it’s made of (e.g., leather, wood, plastic).
Patterns/Details: Mention stripes, polka dots, or specific attachments like handles or buttons. 2. Common Vocabulary in Unit 8.8
To successfully complete the workbook exercises, you need to be familiar with the "Materials" vocabulary often featured in the video prompts:
Leather: Signed using the "L" handshape brushing against the back of the non-dominant hand. Plastic: Often fingerspelled (P-L-A-S-T-I-C). Wood: A sawing motion on the back of the hand.
Metal/Glass: Using the back of the fingernails or the chin area depending on the specific dialect/textbook version. Tips for Completing the 8.8 Workbook Exercises
When watching the DVD or digital access videos for the 8.8 homework, keep these tips in mind rather than relying on a leaked answer key:
Watch the Mouth: Signers often use "mouth morphemes" to indicate size. An "oo" mouth shape usually means small or thin, while a "cha" shape indicates something large or thick. In Unit 8
Identify the Reference Point: If the signer is describing a bag, look at where they place their hands in space. They are literally "drawing" the object for you.
Contrastive Structure: If the signer compares two items, they will likely shift their shoulders slightly to one side for the first item and the other side for the second. Why "Answer Keys" Can Be Tricky
Many online "answer keys" for Signing Naturally are created by other students and may contain errors. ASL is a visual-gestural language, and nuances in a signer's movement can change the meaning of a description. Instead of looking for a static list of answers, try to re-watch the video at 0.5x speed. Identifying the Classifier (CL) used for a strap or a texture is a much better way to prepare for your unit exams than memorizing a key. Conclusion
Signing Naturally 8.8 is all about the "Material World." By focusing on the sequence of description and the specific handshapes for materials like leather and metal, you'll find that you don't need an answer key at all. Practice "drawing" objects in the air with your hands, and you'll be well on your way to ASL fluency.
Signing Naturally Unit 8.8 , the focus is on "Figure the Meaning,"
where you must identify the concept a signer is conveying and the specific strategy they use to ask for an unknown sign. Strategies for Asking for a Sign
When a signer does not know a specific word in ASL, they use one of these five primary strategies to elicit it: A: List things in a category B: Use opposites C: Describe or act-out (using classifiers or gestures) D: Give a definition E: Tell a story or situation Unit 8.8: Figure the Meaning Answer Key
Based on the workbook video clips, here are the concepts and the corresponding strategies used: Course Hero Unknown Sign (Concept) Strategy Used Screwdriver (or Drill) (Describe/Act out) (List things in category) Driver's License (Give definition) Aced the test (or Pass a test) (Describe/Act out) (or Straight hair) (Use opposites) (or Sleep in) (Give definition) (or No money) (Describe/Act out) (or Nervous) (Describe/Act out) Hyperactive (or Noisy/Annoying) (List things in category) Hand Mixer (Describe/Act out) Key Takeaways for Unit 8.8 Classifier Usage : Strategy is the most common because it utilizes Classifiers (CL)
to show the shape or movement of an object (like the "mixer" or "screwdriver"). Contextual Listing
: For geographic locations like "Europe," signers list other known places (France, Spain, etc.) to lead the viewer to the correct category.
: To sign "Plain," a signer might show "Fancy" followed by the negation to imply the opposite. Course Hero If you're stuck on a specific clip, let me know the actions the signer is doing and I can help you identify the concept
Copy of 8.8 Student Workbook Worksheet.pdf - College Sidekick
I’m unable to generate a full answer key for Signing Naturally Unit 8.8 (or any other copyrighted curriculum) because that material is the intellectual property of DawnSignPress. Distributing or reproducing answer keys without permission violates copyright laws and the publisher’s terms of use.
However, I can help you in these legitimate ways:
If you’re a student, I encourage you to work through the exercises with classmates or ask your instructor for clarification on specific signs or grammar patterns from Unit 8.8. Let me know how else I can support your ASL learning legally!
The fluorescent lights of the ASL lab hummed, a low-frequency vibration that Leo felt more than heard. He sat hunched over his workbook, the DVD for Signing Naturally spinning in his laptop. Unit 8, Lesson 8: "Describing Physical Appearance."
On the screen, a woman was signing rapidly. Her eyebrows arched, her mouth shifted into a specific "cha" shape to indicate size, and her hands danced to describe a person’s height, body type, and hair color.
Leo’s brow furrowed. He looked at the multiple-choice options in his workbook for the first video segment.A) Tall, thin, curly blonde hair.B) Average height, muscular, short brown hair.C) Short, heavy-set, long black hair. Explain the concepts covered in Unit 8
He replayed the clip. The signer’s hands moved near her shoulders, flicking outward—the sign for "curly." Then, she indicated a height just above her own head.
"Okay, definitely not short," Leo muttered to himself. He checked off B, then paused. Wait, did she sign "muscular" or just "strong"? He needed the 8.8 Answer Key like a hiker needs a compass.
The trouble with learning ASL from a book is that life doesn’t have subtitles. He flipped to the back of the manual, but the "Student Workbook" famously omitted the keys for the review sections to force students to actually watch the nuances of the facial expressions.
Just then, his study partner, Sarah, tapped on the table. She didn't say a word; she just pointed at her own eyes and then at his screen, then signed: “AGAIN. SLOW.”
Leo slowed the playback speed to 0.75x. Now, the nuances were clear. The signer wasn't just saying someone was tall; she was using a specific non-manual marker—a squint of the eyes—to show they were lanky.
"It’s A," Sarah signed, her movements crisp. "Look at the 'curly' sign again. It's tight coils, not just wavy."
Leo corrected his marks. He realized then that the "answer key" wasn't a page in a book—it was the repetition. It was the way his eyes were finally starting to catch the "whispers" of the hands. By the time they reached the end of the lesson, the blanks were filled, not because they’d found a cheat sheet, but because they’d finally started to see the language instead of just looking at it.
Signing Naturally Unit 8.8 focuses on asking for unknown signs through strategies like acting out or describing, and includes minidialogues based on comprehension of signed exchanges. Key exercises involve identifying concepts like "screwdriver" or "broke" and analyzing situational advice for scenarios involving laundry or unwanted dates. For the full answer key, visit Course Hero Course Hero
Q: Is there a free PDF of the Signing Naturally 8.8 Answer Key?
A: Legally, no. DawnSignPress (the publisher) protects its copyright aggressively. Free PDFs floating around are often student-made and riddled with errors. For example, many free keys confuse the sign DEAF with BUSY in Unit 8.8, leading to a failed exam.
Q: My teacher won't provide an answer key. What should I do? A: This is intentional. ASL is a performance-based language. Teachers want you to sign to them, not write answers down. If you are stuck, record yourself signing your answer to 8.8. Rewatch the video. If you still see a mismatch, email your teacher a specific question (e.g., "In 8.8 #3, does the signer use a double arc or a single arc for the verb?").
Q: Does Unit 8.8 have a receptive exam? A: Yes. The "answer key" for a receptive exam (where the teacher signs and you write the answer) is just your notes. To "unlock" the answers for that, practice "chunking"—watch the signing in 2-second intervals, not as a continuous stream.
Vocabulary Practice:
Storytelling:
Classifier Practice:
The specific section 8.8 focuses heavily on identifying people and things based on their location and physical attributes. In English, we say, "The man in the blue shirt is standing near the tree." In ASL, you are effectively painting a portrait using your hands.
Students scour the internet for the 8.8 Answer Key because they are terrified of being wrong. However, the irony of this specific answer key is that it often leads to more confusion than clarity.
When a student finally gets their hands on the key, they are often confronted with Gloss—the written representation of ASL (e.g., MAN BLUE-SHIRT CL:1-STAND TREE CL:C-BE-AT). To the uninitiated, the answer key looks like code. It doesn't "give away" the answer in the way a math answer key does (where x = 5). Instead, it forces the student to decode the grammar. It is a humbling experience: even when you have the answers, you still have to know how to read them.