The American Sign Language Handshapes
A Open A B Open B
Bent B CDE
F Open F GH
IKLBent L
MNOpen N O
12 • Introduction Baby O Flattened O RS
TU V Bent V W
XYL-I 1-I
13Bent 3 4
5 Bent 5 8 Open 8
Introduction • 13 2 Question Words
will, shall, what-to-do, would what
Handshape: G > Baby O Orientation: palm up Handshape: Open B Location: neutral space Orientation: palm left Movement: bring index finger and Location: near head thumb together twice Movement: move hand forward while Nonmanual signal: body leans forward, tipping fingers forward head tilts right, “puzzled” expression
who, whom query, ask, inquire, question (v.), quiz
Handshape: X > 1 Handshape: L > Bent L Orientation: palm out Orientation: palm left Location: neutral space Location: thumb on chin Movement: use index finger to draw a Movement: bend index finger down question mark, changing to twice 1 handshape
why where
Handshape: L-I Orientation: palm in Handshape: 1 Location: near forehead Orientation: palm out Movement: bend middle two fingers Location: neutral space down and up several times Movement: shake hand side to side Nonmanual signal: body leans forward; Nonmanual signal: body leans forward; head tilts right; “curious” expression head tilts right; “questioning” frown
32 6 People
aunt herself, himself, itself
Handshape: Open A Handshape: A Orientation: palm left Orientation: palm out Location: neutral space Location: right cheek Movement: double bounce toward Movement: move thumb down cheek in referent two short movements Nonmanual signal: eyes on the person Note: Movement may be circular. to whom you are speaking
yourself yourselves
Handshape: Open A Handshape: Open A Orientation: palm left Orientation: palm left Location: neutral space Location: neutral space Movement: arc thumb from left to right Movement: double bounce toward in front of chest referent Nonmanual signal: eyes on people to Nonmanual signal: eyes on referent whom you are speaking
themselves girl
Handshape: Open A Orientation: palm left Location: neutral space Handshape: Open A Movement: arc thumb right to left Orientation: palm left toward referents Location: thumb on cheek Nonmanual signal: eyes on person to Movement: brush thumb forward on whom you are speaking cheek twice
60 Days of the Week/Time 12 daily, common, yesterday everyday, ordinary, usual
Handshape: Open A Orientation: palm out Location: near mouth Handshape: Open A Movement: arc thumb back to touch Orientation: palm left cheek Location: right cheek Nonmanual signal: right shoulder lifts Movement: brush knuckles down up; head tilts right; “cz” mouth cheek twice movement tomorrow a few days ago
Handshape: Open A Orientation: palm left Handshape: Open A > 3 Location: right cheek Orientation: palm down Movement: twist wrist forward Location: thumb on cheek Nonmanual signal: right shoulder lifts up; Movement: flip hand back while head tilts right; “cz” mouth movement changing to 3 handshape never late, tardy
Handshape: B Orientation: palm left Location: in front of face Handshape: Open B Movement: move hand down with Orientation: palm down large wavy motion Location: neutral space Nonmanual signal: head shakes “no” Movement: swing fingers back
113 15 Colors
blue brown
Handshape: B Handshape: B Orientation: palm left Orientation: palm out Location: neutral space Location: cheek Movement: twist wrist back and forth Movement: slide index finger down twice cheek
orange
Handshape: C > S Orientation: palm left Location: near mouth Movement: open and close fist twice
green
Handshape: G Orientation: palm up Location: neutral space Movement: twist hand up and down several times
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