2torial 0510 - Step5:
Learn2 Understand Basic American Sign Language (Continued)

Use body language and facial expressions

Body language, facial expression and eye contact are as important as the signs themselves. For example, squinting means "very," and raised eyebrows indicate a question. Negatives are indicated by shaking your head "no" as you sign. Slumped shoulders indicate you're tired. If a sentence can mean two different things depending on its tone, facial expression will indicate the tone.

It's also important to maintain eye contact and not look away from someone who is signing. Looking away can be considered rude unless there is an emergency. However, the person signing may break eye contact to use his or her eyes as an instrument of conversation.