BEGINNING ASL

Fingerspelling and First Signs

Content by Dr. William Vicars
Formatted by Prison Books Collective

All material copyright © William Vicars, sign language resources at Life-
print.com. Dr. Vicars has given PBC his blessing to format the lessons con-
tained within, originally from Lifeprint.com, and make them available to incar-
cerated people fiee of charge

Formatted by Prison Books Collective. Incarcerated people all over the U.S. can
write to Prison Books Collective, PO Box 625, Carrboro, NC 27510 to request
fiee zines shipped to them. Incarcerated people in Alabama and North Carolina
can also request free books. (Requests from women within NC will be forward-
ed 10 the NC Women’s Prison Book Project)

Turn to the middle of the zine (pages 20-21) to see the fingerspelled
alphabet. Other signs will reference the letters for hand shapes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Money
Numbers 3 >

Feclings. 2
Family. s ®

Requests. 30
Places o N

Colors. 35
Time. 12

Temperatures 37
Amounts 15 "

Animals. 3
Clthes. 16

Sample Sentences 30
Health, " "
ABCs. 20
Food £
Numbers

NUMBERS

1-10

‘When done as casual, isolated
back by native Deaf adult
you have and you have

numbers "l thro

5" are typically produced palm-
ers. For example, i someone asks you how many brothers
then you would reply by holdi

i the number 2 with the palm
faci

backward,

However
53

day,

the palm should be forward when doing a two-or-mre

it number such as|
then a3 quickly) or a series of numbers such as a phone numbes
ges, and if you are ryi

the time of
1o emphasize a point.

b

Family

Mom

There are a variety of ways to express the c
of "mother.” A good g "
for "mons” or "mother” is made by touching the tip
of the thub of your dominant "open”-hand (also
called a "5"-hand) to your chin. You may see it
tapped twice: you may sce the fingers wiggle: but
the most basic form i to just touch the thumb of
five hand to the chin,

Dad

There are various ways to s
ASL. A good general way to sig
s by placing the tp of the thumb of your
on or near your forchead.

or"father” in
“dad" or “futher”
and”

{ening tip: Some people do the sign DAD using &
‘double” tap to the forchead. (Likewise for
"MOM.") That i "okay." However, if you sign
MOM" and “DAD" one right after the other (3s in
“patents") you just do one contact (or near contact)
each sign. Just use a single movement for MOM,
and a single movement for DAD and it ends up

Baby

The sign for "baby” or "infunt” (a5 ina newborn up 10 about
ane year old) is made by placing both arms together as if
Holding an infant. Then genly
rock your arms back and forth.
&= Some peaple do a small up and
N down movement instead of a

rocking movemen.
Tip: Think of holding a bab in

Family

Girl

The sign for "Girl" (or "female”) is made by forming
your hand into an "A"hand and then trace alo
jawbone with the tip of your thumb - stating near your

ear and moving to near your chin.

Sister

Boy

To do the sign for "boy.” grab the brim of an imag-
inary baseball cap (sticking out from your forchead
area).

v
2
v
l

for brothe
modified "L hand that tuns into
2"1"-hand as it moves from the
forehead down to make contact
with the base hand (which is ina
Ihandshape).

Famil

Marriage

“The sign for "marriage” is made by clasping both,
hands comfortably together.

For right-handed people the right hand should be
ontop of the left hand.

Single

This sign is made by holding the right arm in front of
You, palm up. Your right index finger makes circular
‘motions about the size of a quarter. The movement s in

‘your shoulder and elbow, not in your wrist
Note: This version of "SINGLE" also means:

"something / someone / alone /only." Itis a vry flexible
sign and you must rely on context to understand the
‘meaning. el

)
»

Divorce

“The sign for
forming the letter "d” ith both hands

Hold both hands together with the palms
facing each other. With a twisting motion,
‘move both hands outward and sideways
So both palms face forward.

Separate

The sign for "separate” is made by touching both hands
together at the knuckles. The hands should both be bent,
Now, move the hands away from each other

Family

Grandma

“The sign for "grandmother” is made by touching
your chin with the thumb of your dominant hand,
s when signing "mother.” The dominant hand
should be open. Move your hand forward in two
small arches.

Note: Many people just move the hand forward
without the arches.

Grandpa

“The sign for "grandfather” is made by touching.
‘your forehead with the thumb of your dominant
hand, (the same as when signing "futher”). The
hand should be open. Now, move your hand for-
ward in two small arches

‘Note: Many people just move it forward without
the arches.

Aunt

“The sign for "aunt” is made by fist shaping your hand to
form the letter "A.” Hold your hand close to your check.
“Twist or simply shake) your hand a couple of times.

2

Uncle

o do the sign for "uncle” hold a "U" hand near the
side of your your head. Twist(or just shake) the
hand wice,

a

Variation: Some people shake a "U" handshape side to
side using a very small repeated movement.

“The position is o the side of your head, near your car
or a bit higher.

8
Places

PLACES

Home

If you mean "home” as in "domicile” (or a fairly permanent residence) a fairly common
Version is made by bringing your fingers and thumb together and touching your cheek near
the side of your mouth. Then move your hand an inch or two toward your car and touch
your check again.

Some people do the sign HOME st

near their EAR and moving near the MOUTH,

Work

The sign for "work" is made by [ i
ot hands into "fst

") With your

donmvard,use your

dominant fist 10 tapthe wristor

the side ofyour non-dominant ist

afew times

the letter

- however there is diffeer

y that specfic
means "college” or university. The

for "school” uses
fat hands. Quickly bring your dominant hand down onto
your base hand twice as if lappis

9
Places

Store

e sian or "store” (as i a plce that sels things) is
‘made by forming both hands into flatencd-O shapes
(as i you were holding sheet of paper) ith the
hands pointing dowward.Pivot both of your hands
forward (away from your body) twice. The ingertips
swing forward and back a couple times. The thumbs
arctouching the fingers 25 if you were holding a N,
piece of paper.

Church

“The sign for "church” is made by forming the letter "¢’
with your dominant hand. Form your non-dominant
hand into an "S" hand. Place the thumb of your domi-
nant hand on the back of your non-dominant hand.

at" (o drive) by using both hands
in"S" handshapes and moving them as f control-
ling a steering wheel. To differentiate between
“car and smaller and

larger. Drive can also be modified by using &
“forward and back” movement, and various facial
expressions.

With

“The sign for "WITH" is made by forming
the letter "a” with both hands. Place both
your hands together, palms facing

10
Places

Come: The signs for "come” and "go" are very similar. The
main difference is that "come” moves toward you and "go”
moves away from you.

“The signs use a single quick movemen.

In/out

To do the basic sign for "in.” close the
fingers of your dominant hand, form.
‘your non-dominant hand into 4 °C." and
place the fingers of your domsinant hand
nto the "C” hand.

“Our” i the reverse.

1
Times

TIMES

Day

The sign for "day" s made by holding your non-dominant arm (he left arm for most peaple)
i front of you, palm down, pointing right. Your left hand can be in either a "flat handshape’
or an "index finger handshape." Your dominant hand (th right hand for most people) can be
either an "index finger” or a "flat band.” (1 don't recommend a "D" hand, that is Signed Eng-
lish, not sign language.) Rest your sight elbow on the back of the left hand. Your right arm
should point up. Move your right arm acoss your body, the hand tracing an arc while keeping
the ight elbow on or very near the back of the left hand.

OR

Night

dominant hand, fingertips pointing
down.

Times

Week

“The sign for "week” has a couple of variations. The
basic sign for "week” is made by forming your dominant
hand into an index-finger handshape and moving your
hand forward over the palm of your non-dominant hand.

T

Month

“The sign for "month” is made by pointing upward with the index finger of your non-
‘dominant hand. 1f you are right handed, the palm of the let hand should face right. The
palm of the right hand should face back. Trace the ight index finger from the top to the
bottom of the left indesx finger.

Year

“The sign for "year" is made by forming both hands nto the
letter "S." 1f you are right handed, rotate your right hand com-
pletely around the left. The right hand should come to rest on
top of the lef,

Finish

“The sign for "finish" is made by placing both of your
open hands in front of you. Each hand should face you,
with your fingers pointing upward. Twist both hands
quickly a couple times ending with the palms pointing
(somewhat) forward. You can also do this sign wih just
asingle twist which makes it seem more "final”

13
Times

Future

“The sign for "future” is made by slicing a "flat
hand” forward through the air. The farther you
move your hand, the furher into the the future
Youare referring. This sign can also mean such
things as "WILL" as in, "Will you go to col-
lege?” (YOU FUTURE COLLEGE YOU?).

You can also use a double arching movement to
mean "someday” or "the distant future.” If you
do asingle large strong movement it can mean "
long time from now.”

Past

“The sign for "past” is made by moving your dominant
hand over your dominant shoulder. Your palm should
face your body. The more emphasis you give the motion
andor the larger movement you use indicates further
into the past.

Now

“The sign for "now” is made by placing both of your hands in front of you in "Y" hand-

shapes. Each hand should be pointing upward. Sharply drop both of your hands a short
distance.

Amounts

AMOUNTS

Full

“The general sign for "full” is made by
the left closed hand. Open
1 hand and move it over the

top of your left fist.

extendi

Note: if you reverse the motion and
You move your hand forward (instead

of backward) instead of meaning "full"
the meaning changes to "enough.

"largeness” or the state of being bi
initilized sign for "LARGE."

More Tall

The

f2n for "more” uses fattened "0" A good general sign is made
hands. Bring both "0 hands together. by placing your right index
finger on the palm of your
left hand (f you are right
handed) and moving the
finger upward a fow inches.
This version is a good one
o use o des:
buildings, o even people.

15
Clothes

CLOTHES
Shirt

“The way to sign "shirt"is by grabbing your shirt in the upper chest area - in the middle or
sightly to theright - between your index finger and thumb. Then tug outward a few times.

“The sign for shirt can be done with one hand or tw. IF you do it with one hand though it
might sometimes be misunderstood to mean "volunteer.”

Pants

“The sign o “pants” is made by placing both of your
hands in an open position just below your waist.
Bring both hands up to your waist. As your hands
come up, bend your knuckles and curl your fingers
upa bi

Shoes

“The sign for "shoes" is made by closing both
hands and whacking the together twice:
Do it gently eh? No need to hurt yourself.

16
Clothes

Socks

The sign for "socks” is made by
pointing both of your index fingers
down. Rub the fingers together a

fow times

Coat

Underwear

The sign for "undervear” is made by
using the index finger and thumb of ea
hand to trace the outline of your under-
wear. Your palms face backward. Your
hand shape changes from an upside
down "L" t0.a closed "G,

The sign for "coat” is made by forming both hands into the letter "A.” (Notan "S.") Place
both hands near your shoulders. Then move both hands dowward and inward as if putting

[ ‘Wash

N ‘The general sign for "wash is made by closing both
"‘ hands into "A" hands with your dominant hand on top.
Make a circular"scrubbing” movement with the hand that
” 5 on top-as if washing something. The hand on the bot-

tom doestit move.

Hurt

“The sign for "hure” is made by ex-
tending the index fingers of both
hands. Bring the fingers toward
each other twice using a jabbing
movemen.

A variation of this signis 1o do
twisting movement as you bring the
tips of the index fingers toward each other. The right hand twists one way and the left hand
twists the other.

Note: Both versions of the sign for "HURT / PAIN" can be done on or near the part of the
body that i feeling pain. For example if you have a toothache, you can indicate that in one
sign by doing the sign "hurt” near the side of your jaw. I you have a headache, you can
indicate it by sigaing "hun” near your forchead.

Sleep

“The sign for "sleep” is made by opening your hand and placing it in front of your face, palm
toward you. Move your hand downward toward your chin. While the hand is moving,
bring your fingers together and touch them with your thumb.

Health

Brush teeth

The sign for "brush teeth is made by using the index finger of your right hand to brush
your teeth using a side to side horizontal movemen.

= _repeat

)

»

Bathroom

7

fine.

Nice/clean

The concept "is clean” s signed the same
way as the sign NICE,

However, the concepts
clean,” or

process” form of the sign whetein you use
extra movement to show a process s taking
place. So, if you want o sign

in"clean up your bedroom” you would use
double motion. (Repeat the sign to mean:
"cleaning, or clean-up.")

tean ug

aning” use what I call "the

clean-up" as

lean” is made by placing your lefthand in front of you, palm up.
and maving the flat palm of your right hand across your left hand. (IF you are right handed)

19
G H I J

S B0

Food

FoobD

Pizza

Here is a variation of pizza that i popular in Sacra-
mento and elsewhere. The sign looks as if you are
shoving a piece of pizza in your mouth. (Use a e~
peated movement). Personally, I don't ke it be-
cause itis @ very awkward sign to produce, but
many people in my area are adamant that it s the
“right” sign to us.

Hamburger

“The sign for "hamburger” i made by cupping
your right hand on 0p of your eft hand. Now
o~ reverse the position of both hands
“Think of forming hamburger nto a "patty” so
you can BBQ it
For additional memory ad, invite your ASL
eacher o the BBO.
Donft worry about the thumb posicion (open or

2
Milk

“The sign for "milk” is made by forming a "
closing it wice into an "S” hand.

Hot dog

“The sign for "hotdog” is made by forming both hands into the letier "C."
‘While moving your hands out to the side, change the handshapes to the
letter "S” back 10.2 "C" and to an

“The sign for "ezg” is made by forming both hands into
the letter "H." In one smooth movement, bring the
middle finger side of your dominant "H" hand down
on'top of the index finger side of your non-dominant
hand. Move both hands down and out as if break-
ing apartan "ege.”

n for "cheese” is made by bringing both hands
together. Rotate you right hand (or your dominant
hand) back and forth. The left hand doesn't move.

You rotate the heel of the right hand on the palm of
the lft - back and forth as if rying o pressthe mois-
ture out of apiece of cheese that s within a iece of
cheese cloth. The but of the right hand stays on the
palm of the left. The finger tips of the right hand swing back and forh right o left a couple.
times pivoting on the hel of the hand. The right hand fingers are elaxed — spread out justa
titch and bent a .

23
Food

Apple

for "apple” is made by closing your hand and pla

The si
the ka
the same time, pivot the hand back and forth

Kle of your right index finger against your cheek. At

Cereal

The sign for "cereal” is made by placing your right

index

your mouth. (If you are right handed).

‘While moving your hand to the left corner of your
sze the handshape nto an "x." Alternate

between the straight index finger and the letter X" a

couple of tims.

Remember, the movement i from right o left if

you are right handed)

ht corner of

et - palm down - at the

mouth, o

Cookie

The right (or dominant) hand i in a loose "C" handshape. You bring the right hand down
onto the left hand, then you lift up the right hand rotate it and bring it down again on the
Ieft hand. Twist your right hand as if cutting ou cookies from cookie dough.

Food

Candy

o your check

Drink

“The sign for "drink” is made by forming your right
hand into the letter "C." Move the hand to your mouth
ina short ac.

‘Water

“The sign for

Hungry

“The sign for "hungry” is made by forming your right hand
into the leter "C."
Move your hand down the middle of your chest. You dorit

actually have to touch your body but most people do — espe-
cially if they want o emphasize how hungry they are with
stronger movement,

“The sign for "hungry” is also the same as the sign for "wish."
Some people start the sign for "wish” on the upper chest and
prefer to start "hungey” from a slightly lower position. 1 dorit
mess around with that. But ifit helps as a memory aid, think
of'a "wish" coming from your heart, and hunger coming
from your belly. But, again, it s okay to use the same sign
for both conceps.

2

“To do the sign for "candy” twist the tip of your index finger

vater” is made by forming your right hand into
the letter "W." Touch the index finger 10 your mouth twice.
Food

Spoon

Make the sign for "spoon” by forming the
letter "H" with the right hand. Place your
et palm facing upward. Liftthe right hand
from your left hand toward your mouth a
fow times.

Fork

Make the siga for "fork” by forming your domi-

nant hand into the letter V. Poke the palm of

your non-dominant hand a couple times.

Note: Some people do thi sign with a "W hand

instead of a "V" hand. I sort oflke the ”

Version better because it looks less like the signs
or "jump." But the

is 2 sold sign and okay to use, but only in con-

text

hand version

Cup

The sign for "cup? is made by forming your
right hand into the letier "C." Place your right
hand into your uplifted let palm. Some people
use a very small repeated movement. This
sign can also be used to mean "can” asin o
container of food.

2
Mone

MONEY
Dollars

Make the sign for "dollars” by extending your left .
hand, palem to the right. Girab your left fingers be- _
tveen the palm and fingers of your right hand. Pull

your right hand away from your left hand. The right
and "slips offthe left hand.” The left hand stays in
place. Also, you might see theright hand grabbing
the top edge of the let hand as in version 2. OR

Cents/penny

Make the sign for "cents" by touching your forehead
with the index finger of your right hand, palm back.
(which also happens to be a version of the sign for
THINK). Pull the hand away from your head
(forward and a ltle bit down)

Cost

“The sign for "cost” is made by extending your non-
dominant hand in front of you in a "flat” handshape.

Make the leter "X with your dominant hand (palm back).
Strike the palm of your non-dominant hand with the top of
your

nger using a downward movement,

2
Feelings

FEELINGS

Happy

“The sign for "happy” is made by placing one or
both of your hands in front of you. Use "l
hands, palimns pointing back. Circle your hands
forward, down, back, up, forward, down, back,
up. Both hands move at the same time and in the
same direction. On the upward swing the hands
are very close o your chest or touch your chest
On the downward swing your hands e further

away from your chest.
Note: Some people slightly "slap” the chest - ther people don't even touch.

Sad

“The sign for "sad" is made by placing both hands in front of you fuce,
palms in. Bring both of your hands down the length of your face. Tilt
your head forward stightly, and make a sad face

Angry/mad

“The sign for "angry" is made by forming "claw” hands and placing your fingertips against
your stomach. Pull both hands forcefully up and outward.

The sign for "mad" (as in the opposite of happy) uses a single motion. I you use a double
motion and a slghily less intense face it can mean, "grouchy" or "grumpy." Don't actually
touch your face while doing this sign. (That might be painful, and then you'd be really
“mad" at me.)

Feelings

y Love

The s
the middle of your chest.

both hands aver

n for "love" is made by crossis

Sorry

The sign for "cry” is made by plac The sign for sorry” s made by forming
one or both index fingers under your an A" with your right hand. Rotate your
eyes. hand on your chest using a couple of
Bring your fingers down over your clockwise motions.

cheeks a few times. can be also be used to mean

or "regret”

e

Like

y for” someone or something. As

2
Feelings & Requests

Good

Make the sign for "good” by placing the fingers of
your right hand against your lips. Move your right
hand into the palm of your left hand. Both hands
should be facing upward.

Note: Ofen the sign "GOOD" is done without the
base hand. When signed with just the dominant
hand only, his sign can mean, "thank you" or it
can stil mean "good.

Bad

“The sign for "BAD" s very similar to "GOOD except
there s a reversal of rientation for negation-—which
‘means that by twisting the palm-side of the hand so that it
points down (instead of up--as in the sign for good) i now
means the opposite of good. You also change your facial
expression to match your meaning. Generally this isa
frown or scowl when signing "BAD.

Make the sign for "BAD" by placing the fingers of your
right hand against your lips. Move your hand down and
away. Your palm will now be facing downward,

REQUESTS

Please

“The sign for "please” is made by placing your flat right
hand over the center of your chest. Move your hand in o

elockwise mation (from the observer's point of view, use

a circular motion towards your eft, down, right, and back
up)a few times.

30
Requests.

Yes o
Mermoryaid: Thik ofthe it hand s rep-

No

The sign "NO” can use either polite
double motion or a more firm or definite
single mtion. 11 i also dircetional in
nature — meaning, if | hold my hand oft
1o my right and point the palm toward
myself while doing the sign, it can mean
"He told me no."

Excuse

“The general sign for "excuse” is made by extending your left
band. palm up. Brush your right bent-hand fingertips actoss
the 1ot palm starting with the pinky on you right hand.
Bend the large knuckles of the right hand slightly. Keep the
other knuckles straght.

“This sgn when done with a double movement means things

Thank you

E
Requests

Hel
P A s

The sign for "help” is made by forming a [ 7iv']
loose-thumb-A hand (or even an "S" hand)

and lfting it with your other hand.

Note: The sign for HELP is directional. 1f

you sart it near yourself and move it toward

Someone else in and up, forward, then down

arch it means "L will help you” o "I helped

you" or (f you do it with raised eyebrowis)

"Do you want me to help you?” You dont

ans for "ME? and "YOU."

Stop

The sign for “stop?” is made by extending your left hand,
palm upward. Sharply bring your open ight hand down to
your left palm at right as

The sign for "why” is made by touching (or comis

near) your forchead with the fingers of your domi-
nant hand then while bringing your hand forward
. keeping your

and down , change it to the leter
palm facing

Name

Handshape: "H” handshape on both hands.
Movement: Tends to be a double movement (but a

e movement is also common)
Non-Manual Maker: In general this uses a neutral
facial expression. In the sentence "Whatis your
gned as NAME YOU? (Wh-question ex
pression — see "WHAT") you furow the eyebrows
and il the head forward a bit.

2
Requests

‘What

“The sign for "what" is made by holding your fat hands palm-up n front of you and moving
them ou from yourselfthen in toward yourself. The movement comes from your elbows,
ot your wrists. There is a facial expression that is sometimes called a "wh-q” expression.
Itis the type of facial expression you should use when asking questions that have an an-
swer other than yes or no. Generally these questions start with the leters "wh as do the
signs WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY...0 you can see why we cal this expression
a"wh question expression.

*1® Where

“The sign for "where” is made using an INDEX-finger handshape.
Hold your hand in front of you and "pivor” the hand side to side a.
ouple of times. The movement is in the wrist and elbow NOT in
the finger oint,

‘When

“The sign for "when” is made by holding your let index
finger up (if you are right handed). Your palm should

face right. Bringthe i of you igh ndex fnger near fy
1o thetp of your Lt index finge. Circe the tp of /
your right index finge n clockwise moion around

Your et index finge and end with the tp of the right

index finger touching the tip of the left finger. Your
arm doesn't move much on this sign. The movement s
inthe wrist. (1f you are lefl handed just do a mirror
image of this sign.)

33
Requests

Who

“The sign for "who" has several variations.

A good general variation i to place the tip of your thumb on your chin with your index fin-
ger extended. Bend your index finger twice.

Notice, some people do this sign without touching the chin. They hold an "X handshape in
front of teir chinmouth and wigale the index finger up and down (quickly changing it from
an fully bent X to a partally bent X a couple times). Personally I prefer the "touch chin
with thumb” variation, but [ would't consider it wrong if someone used the "nom-contact”
version. Also, you willsee people who do the movement from the large knuckle instead of
the small and middle knuckles — that i okay too.

A A

How

Form curved handshapes on both hands, palms down and/or slightly back. Place your hands
together with the knuckles touching. (Looks kind of like McDonalds' Golden Arches) Roll
the hands forward until the "arches™ are upside dowt-ending with your hands palm-up in
“cupping” handshapes. When asking how something was done or how something happened
you should furrow your eyebrows. (The question "How are you?” when used s a greeting
s an exception to the rule and uses raised eyebrows.")

Colors

COLORS
Blue

“Thesignfor"blue” s made by form-
ing the et " withyour right hand
Twistshake your hand from the el
bow (the wrst dogstbend o this
sizn).

Green

The sign for "green” shakes a
G handshape.

Yellow

“The sign for "yellow" is made
by forming the letter "Y." Twist
your hand a couple times (the
‘movementis in the wrist)

Colors

Brown

The sign for "brown'” s made by forming the leter "B” with
your right hand. Move your right hand down the side of your
ight cheek. Your index finger should be close to your face

Red

“The sign for "ed:” is made by making a movement that looks like you are stroking your lips
(one time) with the ip of your index finger.

Norice that1 tend to

change the "index” finger
into an " hand as [ ~
move it downward. Lalso Py

tend to only do the move-
ment one time but some.
people keep the finger
straight. You might also
sce this sign done with a
double motion.

repeat

Orange

“The sign for "orang
and the color,is made by forming
the letter "C" and then "
“squeeze” your hand in front of
your mouth twice.

36
Colors & Temperatures

Gold Silver

T do the sgn for "gold" point your index. Make the sign for "silver” by pos

finger at your ear lobe and then move your your index finger at your carlobe. As
hand away from your car as you change the You move your hand away from your
handshape into the letter "Y." End withavery ear, form the letter "S." End with a very
small shake. small shake.

TEMPERATURES
Hot Cold

Make the sign for "hot” by forming a "claw” or 2
loose "e" with your dominant hand. Place your
thumb and fingers at the sides of your mouth,
Quickly tum your hand forward and down as if
femaving something hot from your mouth,

Make the sign for "cold" by forming
both hands into the letter "S." Hold
both hands in front of you and shake
them as if shivering from the cold.

E
Animals

ANIMALS
Cat

The general version of the sign for cat starts with an "open F."

This handshape looks like

anormal "F" except that the index finger and thumb are separated by about an inch.

Place the "open F” handshape near the bottom of your nose and move it out to the side
while changing it o a normal "F" handshape.

To sign DOG, just snap your fingers twice.

This s an interesting sign because it is sort of based on the fingerspelled word D-0-G as
well as the common gesture of snapping your fingers o get a dog’s atention. Note: The
snap always uses the middle finger, not the index finger. The beginning handshape looks a
bitlike @ modified "D hand and the ending handshape winds up looking like the letter "G.”
Thus the sign sort o looks like you are spelling the letters "DG” which creates a
"lexicalized” version of the fingerspelled word "D-0-G."

There are several different "right” ways to do the sign for dog. A popular sign for "dog” is
made by slapping your right flat hand against your leg, then snapping your fingers. Or you

can snap your fingers once then slap your leg. Or you can slap your leg twice and not snap
your fingers atall.

38
Animals & Sample Sentences

Bird

The sign for "ied s made by forming the leter "G and plac-
ing yourhand at the right side of your mouth, Open and close
the thusb and index inger twice.

Ao gt et

Sample sentences

Here are @ few practice sentences you can sign using (e Sigas you've leamed.
Note: Dont sign the information in the [] brackets.

MY NAME [is] (fingerspell name or use sign name).
LOVE MY FAMILY.

MY DAD LIKE[5] COLD PIZZA.

MY MOM LIKE[s] CHURCH

[Thel HE-(point off t0 your side) BOY LIKE[s] HOT-DOGI].

[Thel SHE-(point) GIRL WANTIs] [t0] FOOD [eat]

[Thel THOSE-2 BOY [and] GIRL FUTURE [will] MARRIAGE [get married]
MY BROTHER LIKE HOT WASH-(body) [bath]

MY SISTER LIKE[s] SCHOOL.

MY GRANDMA HAVE [ has a] GREEN COAT.

PAST [last] YEAR MY GRANDPA WORK [ed].

MY AUNT SLEEP HER SOCKS.

MY UNCLE DIVORCE.

SHE HAPPY BABY!

SHE (the) GIRL (is) SINGLE

MY MOM-DAD (parents) (are) SEPARATE(d).

1FINISH(ed) MY HOME-WORK.

IDRIVE-t0 SCHOOL.

1GO (to the) STORE.

1PAST GO (wen to) CHURCH WITH MY BOY-MARRIAGE (husband).
PAST (last) WEEK I SLEEP IN MY CAR.

PAST (last) NIGHT (it was) COLD OUT (outside)

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Copyright © William Vicars, sign language resources at Lifeprint.com.

Formatted by Prison Books Collective (Prisonbooks.info).