Fingerspelling
This red, juicy fruit is a common sign in early ASL learning.
What is A-P-P-L-E?
BOAT, CLOSE, and AGAIN: they all share this handshape.
What is the 5 closed (15) handshape?
This sign is perfect for a nature lover or dog owner: WALK.
What is... "Both palm-down flat hands held apart in neutral space alternately move forward/backward at wrists a few times."
Sign this statement: My dog is brown and old.
What is... MY - DOG - BROWN - OLD.
If you need a Deaf person's attention there are lots of ways to go about it; what are three of those ways?
What is... example by host.
When you want your nails to be a different color, you need this.
What is N-A-I-L-P-O-L-I-S-H?
Signs like CAR, COFFEE, and CAN have great alliteration in English. They also have the exact same handshape.
What is the S / fist handshape?
A sign used to refer to someone who isn't a man or a woman, or who's gender is unknown: PERSON.
What is... "Both horizontal flat hands held apart in mid space, fingers pointing outwards or palms facing each other, move downward."
Sign this statement: What did you do last week?
What is... WEEK PAST - YOU - DO DO ?
These are given to people with which Deaf folks speak to and refer to frequently, instead of having to fingerspell every time they talk about a person. There are two types: descriptive (used largely by children and young adults) or arbitrary (used largely by adult signers).
What is a name sign?
What is I-N-T-E-R-N-E-T?
FLOWER and BOY both use the _____ handshape.
What is the 0 / flat o handshape?
This agreement verb is great for friends with a good relationship: TEASE.
What is... "Dominant horizontal "X" hand, palm facing left if right-handed, bottom of the "X" handshape on the top of the non-dominant horizontal "X" hand, dominant hand moves forward twice, brushing the top of the non-dominant hand."
Sign this statement: She got married last month.
What is... PAST - MONTH - SHE - MARRIED.
You've head of an Irish goodbye, but that couldn't be further from the truth for the Deaf community. This is something you must do when arriving at and leaving a Deaf space.
What is greet/say farewell (or tell where you are going if returning)?
Convince is a good synonym for this word, something a salesperson would need to be very good at. (HINT: It starts with a P.)
What is P-E-R-S-U-A-D-E?
A sign's movement can be all it takes to change it's meaning. LIKE and DISLIKE have this same handshape, but one requires a flick of the wrist and another does not.
What is the 8 handshape?
There are two ways to sign this disorder, one is single handed and the other is double: AUTISIM.
What is... example done by host.
Sign this statement: I need to take my cat to the vet tomorrow.
What is... TOMORROW - MY - CAT - NEED - PICK UP - VET - DROP OFF.
There are a lot of signs in ASL. They expand, change, and disappear over time. This, however, is one thing we must NEVER do as hearing ASL students.
What is correcting a Deaf person's signs?
Hope you know your science; because this chemical element (atomic number 92) is our hosts favorite word to fingerspell. A radioactive metal used as a fuel in nuclear reactors and the cause of some old dinner plates or cups to have a signature, deadly green glow.
What is U-R-A-N-I-U-M?
When signing CALL/CALLED aka "I call them my brother, but we aren't related." You use this handshape.
What is the 2 / V handshape?
To say bad words, swear or speak offense phrases: CUSS.
What is... "Dominant "Y" (handshape), palm down (orientation), swings forward in arc once or often twice (movement) in front of the non-dominant forefinger with palm down (location)."
Sign this statement: I don't know that woman but she seems nice. Do you know her?
What is... WOMAN - ME - DONT KNOW - BUT - SEEM - NICE. YOU - KNOW - WOMAN - YOU ?
This Mississippian story teller was also a poet and an educator, an inspiration to many in the Black Deaf community. Her passion for helping Black Deaf students learn about, honor and celebrate their culture was a major cause behind this. Though, what truly set her apart was how many firsts she achieved as a Black Deaf person.
Who is Nathie Marbury?