The researchers propose that classifiers override the basic word order of ASL because they create visual animations. But they start with an observation that initially deepens the mystery.

This paper presents an analysis of American Sign Language (ASL) classifiers from a syntactic and morphophonological point of view, and addresses issues related to (1) the ways that classifiers can ...

While they were careful to follow ASL grammar, classifiers and signs for other conventional words, what made their performances so special was a shared enthusiasm, not to mention some seriously ...