Pay attention to the facial expressions that the signers make when
describing different sizes (as when ordering food) or different
distances. These expressions are described in the grammar notes for
Unit 3 and are a very important part of talking about objects in space
in ASL. See the linguistic notes in Unit 4 for specifics on giving
directions.
In these videos, Mr. Connolly has used a facial expression that has
been called "cs" (see Signing Naturally, Level 1, Unit 3, p. 19).
For example, Mr. Connolly sign's NEXT-TO (together with the cs
expression) might be translated into English as "just next to" or
"right next to." This facial expression is not a necessary part of
these signs, but is instead a way of modifying spatial or temporal
signs to indicate "very near" or "just recently". The cs facial
expression functions much like an English adverb. Notice also that
Ms. Bosson used a more neutral facial expression in the signs that
she produced.