Play ASLingo!

What is ASLingo?
ASLingo, an exciting and challenging game, is played just like a bingo game. The words are signed in ASL, with players following the pictoral handshapes on the cards. While having fun, signing skills are being practiced. This hands-on activity makes learning ASL easy!

This game is great for people of all signing abilities. Native deaf adults will enjoy playing this game as much as people learning ASL. Also, it is an excellent way for kids to be exposed to new vocabulary while playing ASLingo.

Handshapes:
There are 20 handshapes used in this game ASLingo. The handshapes are equal to Vista Signing Naturally Teacher's Curriculum Level 1 written by Cheri Smith, Ella Mae Lentz, and Ken Mikos. However, some of the words combining with the handshapes are not always at level 1.

Playing cards:
There are 200 words combined with 20 different handshapes. There are 10 words for each handshape. The words represent different levels. Everybody has the option and flexibility to sort out the cards to meet their level while playing the game simultaneously. For example, elementary teachers can sort out the cards differently from the ASL teachers. Families with a deaf member would probably want to keep the whole set to challenge themselves. The deaf people playing this game together can do the same. That is the advantage of playing ASLingo at different levels!

Roberta Gage, Visitors/Partnerships Specialist,
Clerc Center, Washington D.C.
"ASLingo is fabulous fun for families and friends of all ages!"

Marcus R. Myers,
Director of Del Mar College's Interpreter Preparation Program,
Corpus Christi, Texas
"I played the game and visualized how it would help his students at different levels. ASLingo is a practical breakaway activity for ASL classes to build rapport and provide practice in mastering the handshape parameter.”

Instructions for Playing ASLingo:
Put all the cards in the empty ASLingo top box. Each player takes turn drawing from the box. When a player or leader draws a card, for example, that says "N- car- S handshape," then that means the players look only at the "N" column and find the "S" handshape down that designated column only. This leader should sign the letter first and then sign the word including the handshape given on the card. Others should figure out which the handshape is used. If the announced handshape is there, then put a token on the correct handshape to cross it out. Five handshapes crossed out in a row wins, be it horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

Of course, there are other flexible ways to play ASLingo:

1) One playing leader can pick out the cards throughout the game while the rest would be the receptive players; or

2) Every player takes turn picking out a card; or

3) Instead of announcing only the word with the particular handshape, the leader or players can convert the given word into a simple sentence; or

4) Players can also develop a story by connecting the words every time they draw the card. In the end, the story itself will not make sense, thus drawing some laughs.

Other than using the correct handshape for each word, there are no strict rules for playing ASLingo. The more flexible the players become, the more fun ASLingo becomes. Enjoy the game!

It is best if played with a deaf native signer or a qualified hearing signer. However, individuals with minimal signing experience can play effectively when using an ASL dictionary, sign language book or ASL video as a reference. The ASLingo playing cards can even be used as flashcards, a good idea for car trips or study groups. Ages 5 and up. 2-8 players.