ASL Unit 1 - Lesson 1

HE/SHE/IT/ME/YOU/THIS

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hfa0GQG-LYA" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"sign / signing / sign language"

Form both hands into "1" hand shapes. Then draw a couple of large circles in the air with the tip of each index finger. The movement for each hand is: up, back, down, forward, and so on in an alternating circular movement. As if pedaling a bicycle backwards. Both hands move at the same time. When the right hand is up, the left hand is down. When the right hand is forward, the left hand is back.

name

Handshape: "H" handshape on both hands. Movement: Tends to be a double movement (but a single movement is also common).

what

Handshape: Both right and left hands in a "five" handshape. Fingers and thumb spread, relaxed, (not straight) Location: Mid-torso, in front of you, a foot or so apart from each other. Orientation: You palms are facing up. Movement: Each hand moves horizontally outward and back in a couple of times. The movement is only a couple of inches at most. Non-Manual Marker: "wh" furrowed eyebrows.

Deaf

Handshape: index finger Location: Starting location: In general it starts on the cheek near the ear but occasionally you will see it start near the mouth (on the cheek). Ending location: On the cheek near the mouth.

Understand

Hold your hand up near your forehead. Your index finger is bent and the tip of the index finger is touching the pad of your thumb (your thumbprint). Then flick your index finger so that it points up.

HEARING (culturally) / speak / say / public

Note: The movement is a small rotation. Up, forward, down, and back. Repeat twice. Think of words tumbling forth from the mouth.

Teach

TEACH: The sign starts near your head and moves out. Imagine taking information from your head and putting it into someone else's head.

they

THEY: In general you point towards the various people or items that are being referred to and use a small sweeping movement. Sometimes if the people or items are considered a single unit or group, you might just point at the unit or group without using a sweeping movement.

Meet

The sign "MEET" uses "index finger" handshapes. The two hands "meet" in the middle

no

The sign "NO" can use either a polite double motion or a more firm or definite single motion. It is also directional in nature--meaning, if I hold my hand off to my right and I point the palm toward myself while doing the sign, it can mean "He told me no."

student

The sign for "student" is a combination of the sign "learn" and the non-initialized sign for "person." Hold your "non-dominant") hand out flat, palm facing upward. Take your dominant hand and and grab some imaginary information off of your palm. Lift that information up and stick it in your head. Then show the person sign.

Thank you

The sign for "thank you" is made by starting with the fingers of your dominant hand near your lips. Your hand should be a "flat hand." Move your hand forward and a bit down in the direction of the person you are thanking. Smile (so they'll know you mean it).

where

The sign for "where" is made using an INDEX-finger handshape. Hold your hand in front of you and "pivot" the hand side to side a couple of times. The movement is in the wrist and elbow NOT in the finger joint.

why

The sign for "why" is made by touching (or coming near) your forehead with the fingers of your dominant hand then while bringing your hand forward and down , change it to the letter "y," keeping your palm facing you.

AGAIN / repeat / re- / over /

To sign "AGAIN" bend your dominant hand at the large knuckles and then move your hand in a bit of an arc and touch the palm of your non-dominant (flat) hand with the fingertips of your (bent) dominant hand.

slow

To sign "slow," slide the dominant hand (right hand if you are right handed) up the non-dominant forearm a short distance--starting at the back of the base (left) hand. You only need to go a few inches. Usage note: If you do this sign "very fast" it means "very slow." If you start the sign and hold it in place for a moment, then roll your eyes and then finish it quickly it means very, very slow.

teacher

he sign for "teacher" combines one quick movement for TEACH and then does the flat-handed version of the "PERSON" sign.

who

he sign for "who" as several variations. A good general variation is to place the tip of your thumb on your chin with your index finger extended. Bend your index finger twice.

nice/clean

the sign for "nice" or "clean" is made by placing your left hand in front of you, palm up. Move the flat palm of your right hand across your left hand. Start by the wrist and end at the fingertips.

Your

YOUR: Aim your palm at the other person.

Learn

LEARN: Memory hint: Think of grabbing information from a book or piece of paper and placing it in your head.

LIKE (emotion)

In the above sequence, the first picture is optional. Most of the time I start the sign a bit out from my chest with my middle finger and thumb pointing back toward my chest (but not touching either my chest or each other). Then I move the hand forward while bringing the index and thumb together.

yes

Memory aid: Think of the fist hand as representing your head. When you raise and lower your fist, bending at the wrist it represents your head nodding "yes."

What is your name

The furrowed eyebrows, the tilt of my head, and the location of my hands all turn this one sign into a whole sentence: "What is your name?" You don't need any additional signs to express this meaning. This is often signed as "NAME YOU?" Or "YOUR NAME?"

Meaning

When done with furrowed eyebrows this sign is used to ask "What does that mean?" or "What is the meaning of _______?"