ASL-Basic-5 Flashcards
(40 cards)
CAN (possible)
The sign for “can” as in “possible” uses “S” hands that move downward about six inches.
Note: If you use a double movement, it changes the meaning more toward being “possible.”
CAN / possible
CHURCH
The sign for “church” is made by forming the letter “c” with your dominant hand. Form your non-dominant hand into an “S” hand. Place the thumb of your dominant hand on the back of your non-dominant hand.
When signing church, it is common to use either a single or a double movement. Tap the thumb of your “C” hand on the back of your fist. Repeat. Note: the movement is up and down, not circular.
COMPUTER
The dominant “C” hand moves in a circle on the forearm or wrist of the palm-down base hand. The thumb of the dominant hand brushes against the surface of the back of the base hand.
DOCTOR
Do not use the sign for “medical doctor” to refer to your college professors unless they are indeed an “MD.”
There is a difference between the sign for a medical doctor and an “academic” doctor. “Dr.” as in Ph.D. (a doctor of philosophy) is generally fingerspelled. While the Deaf community is not overly concerned with titles, if you are introducing someone to an audience you would simply spell the letters “D-R” and then the name.
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In this version of “email” the right index finger makes a pass through the cavity of the left “c” hand.
(The “C” hand is often modified so that the fingers are bent from the knuckles and are relatively straight.”)
GIVE
The sign for “give” depends on your meaning. GIVE is a “directional verb.” Directional verbs are signs that incorporate information about the subject and object (the doer and receiver of the action). That means you don’t have to use a separate sign for the subject and/or object when you use a directional verb. This is known as “agreement.” Or “subject-object agreement.”
HOME
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 ear and touch your cheek again.
IN / OUT
PLAY
If you mean “play” as in “playing around” then you can use the version of this sign that shakes “Y” handshapes.
PLAY (as in “play time,” “playing,”)
PUT
SIT
The sign for “sit” uses a single motion. This is part of a noun/verb pair. If you use a double motion it means “chair.”
STAY
The sign for “stay” uses a palm-down “Y” handshape. The movement is more of a forward thrust than a downward slap. You are shoving the knuckles forward and a bit down.
STORE
The sign for “store” (as in a place that sells things) is made by forming both hands into flattened-O shapes (as if you were holding a sheet of paper) with the hands pointing downward.
Pivot both of your hands forward (away from your body) twice.
The fingertips swing forward and back a couple times. The thumbs are touching the fingers as if you were holding a piece of paper.
TRAIN
TRAIN as in: “choo choo” train. (A railway train).
If you mean “train” as in “practice” (train for an event), see instead ► PRACTICE
WALK
WATCH
Proper sign for this word depends on your meaning or intent.
WITH
The sign for “WITH” is made by forming the letter “a” with both hands. Place both your hands together, palms facing.
WITH / together
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