Which statement about eye contact in ASL communication is true?

Which statement about eye contact in ASL communication is true?

• A. Eye contact signals engagement.
• B. Eye contact should be avoided altogether.
• C. Eye contact is irrelevant to signing.
• D. Eye contact breaks signing space.

Answer: (A)

Eye contact signals engagement. In ASL, where much meaning comes from facial expressions and nonmanual markers, looking at the signer’s face shows you’re paying attention, following the message, and ready to respond. This gaze helps you catch eyebrow raises, mouth morphemes, head tilts, and other cues that modify meaning and indicate when it’s your turn to sign. It’s not about staring; it’s about maintaining a natural, comfortable level of eye contact that supports understanding and rapport. Ending eye contact would make you appear disengaged, and eye contact is not irrelevant to signing—it's an essential part of how information is conveyed and interpreted. Finally, eye contact does not break signing space; you can maintain appropriate eye contact while staying within the signing space to sign clearly and see the signer’s facial expressions.

Eye contact signals engagement. In ASL, where much meaning comes from facial expressions and nonmanual markers, looking at the signer’s face shows you’re paying attention, following the message, and ready to respond. This gaze helps you catch eyebrow raises, mouth morphemes, head tilts, and other cues that modify meaning and indicate when it’s your turn to sign. It’s not about staring; it’s about maintaining a natural, comfortable level of eye contact that supports understanding and rapport.

Ending eye contact would make you appear disengaged, and eye contact is not irrelevant to signing—it's an essential part of how information is conveyed and interpreted. Finally, eye contact does not break signing space; you can maintain appropriate eye contact while staying within the signing space to sign clearly and see the signer’s facial expressions.