AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

Listen with your eyes

Speak with your hands

C. Abi Rached Copyright © 2020

 Copyright © 2020 C. Abi Rached.

www.cabirached.com

Unauthorized duplication or distribution of this material in

any form is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the
copyright holder. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law.
CONTENT

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................... 1

EASY SIGNS ............................................................................... 11

MANUAL ALPHABET ................................................................. 23

NUMBERS .................................................................................. 24

TIME OF DAY ............................................................................. 27

PRONOUNS ............................................................................... 32

FAMILY MEMBERS .................................................................... 38

INITIALIZED SIGNS ................................................................... 54

QUESTION KEYS ....................................................................... 57

PERSON MARKER/OCCUPATION ............................................. 62

PREPOSITIONS/KEY LOCATIONS ............................................. 72

HOME ........................................................................................ 81

ACTION VERBS .......................................................................... 94

MEDICAL & EMERGENCIES ....................................................... 106

FOOD & EATING ........................................................................ 128

THE DEAF ETIQUETTE & WAY OF LIFE .................................... 163

 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the world of language without words
You are about to learn a fascinating language that is unlike any other
language in the world. Instead of a language of sounds, like all spoken
languages, American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language formed by
organized hand gestures, movements and facial expressions.

Sign Language is something we’ve all seen Deaf people use in restaurants,
hospitals, airports, and the like. Watching people share ideas about every
subject using only their body language is fascinating.

Now you can have the chance to enter the wonderful world of Deaf people.
This book is designed as an introduction to the properties of Sign, as well
as an understanding of the Deaf culture. It will introduce you to a basic
American Sign vocabulary sufficient to converse in Sign Language with Deaf
people. It will be helpful for you to know that usually English words are
used to gloss, or represent, the meaning of Sign because Sign Language
has no written form. Signs are the phonological units of Sign Language.

It cannot be paired one to one with English words; instead, Signs represent
concepts. Do not misunderstand Sign Language as word-for-word translation
of English, either. Sign Language has its own word order and structure, often
very different from spoken English. Sometimes, a series of English words is
needed to express a concept that ASL can express compactly in one Sign.
Deaf people know both ASL and English, and they realize you are Signing in
an English word order. They will code-switch and accommodate your Signing
style. The beauty of this book is that it will support you for any topic you
wish to sign in. You may find it helpful to start with the first two chapters
to get on with the basics, but if that’s not your thing, feel free to jump in
wherever you want. Find the subject that interests you, start Signing, and
have fun!
1
Who uses American Sign Language?

American Sign Language opens doors to communicate with anyone experiencing

any sort of language processing challenge, for example:
• Stroke victims and cerebral palsy patients
• Children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome as a middle step for
processing language.
• Any individual with Apraxia or Down syndrome
• Elderly People
• Children too young to speak, etc.

ASL is a language for everyone and not only for the Deaf. It is also used by
fire fighters, police officers, medical staff, scuba divers, stock traders, etc.

High noise/extended distances:

Airports, construction sites, factories, sports fields, concerts, etc.

Quiet environments: when speaking = disturbing:

Libraries, Hospitals, Recording Studios, Radio/TV Stations, Lecture Halls, etc.

What is the origin of the American Sign Language?

The exact beginning of ASL is not clear. Many people believe that ASL came
mostly from the French Sign Language (FSL). Others claim that the foundation
for ASL existed before FSL was introduced in America in 1817, when Thomas
Gallaudet brought French teacher, Laurent Clerc to the United States,

2
where both founded the first school for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut in
1817. Clerc began teaching FSL to Americans, though many of his students
were already fluent in their own forms of local, natural Sign Language.
Today’s ASL likely contains some of this early American Signing. It is
difficult to prove which language had more to do with the formation of
modern ASL. Modern ASL and FSL share some elements, including a
substantial amount of vocabulary. However, they are not mutually
comprehensible.

Why do so many people want to learn Sign Language?

The answer might be found in the results of a study conducted by a researcher

at the University of California, Los Angeles. Albert Mehrabian, a well-known
psychologist, discovered that only 7 percent of the meaning conveyed by
typical utterance regarding our feelings and attitudes comes from the words
we use, 38 percent from our voice, and 55 percent from our body language.
When our body language conflicts with our words, listeners will typically
pay more attention to our nonverbal message.

With Signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes.
The shape and movement of the hands, facial expressions and body
movements all play important parts in conveying information.

More and more television stations use Sign Language in their programs and
advertising. Most school systems now have more Deaf and hard-of-hearing
students, which has dramatically increased the need for Sign Language
interpreters. More and more employers are looking for applicants who can
Sign. More companies now hire Deaf or hard-of-hearing employees as part
of their work force.

A snowball effect is taking place as more and more people are learning to
use American Sign Language.

3
Why is the American Sign Language (ASL)
the most popular Sign Language?
ASL is a major part of American Deaf culture, and is transmitted from one
generation of Signers to the next. American Sign Language (ASL) is commonly
said to be “the third most used non-English language in the U.S.”).

More and more Deaf people and people who deal with them are learning
American Sign Language due to its practicality and easy-to-use nature.
An increasing number of colleges and universities throughout America, as
well as other countries, now accept ASL as meeting part or all of their foreign
language credit requirements.

Therefore, we can easily say that American Sign Language is to Signers,

the language used for everyday as well as for business, as spoken English
language is to the business world.

The harsh truth living in a hearing world

Sign Language, like the Deaf people who use it, has had to fight for
survival. Around the world, Sign Language, as well as those who
communicate this way, has been viewed as lesser than that of the hearing
world. For centuries, Deaf people had to undergo the treatment of being
viewed as incomplete because of their hearing incapability. Some religious
groups wanted to save Deaf people, while other groups wanted to teach
them. Deaf people were seen as being demon-possessed because some
of them couldn’t speak, hidden by family members, locked in asylums,
or forced to try speaking, even though they couldn’t hear themselves.
Deaf people were viewed as Deaf and dumb. This label, which Aristotle
invented, had been attached to Deaf people since ancient Greece. Many Deaf
people and Deaf advocates have risen to challenge this oppression. They came
a long way and seem to have been successful because Deaf people are still
Signing to one another every day.
4
 Is Sign Language the same around the globe?
• No one form of Sign Language is universal. For example, British Sign
Language (BSL) differs notably from American Sign Language. Different
Sign Languages are used in different countries or regions.

• Certain Sign Languages have been influenced by others. For example,

Thai, Indonesian and Malaysian Sign Languages are based on ASL. Below is
a list of some countries who their official Sign Language is ASL or related
to it: USA - Australia – Indonesia – Malaysia – Thailand – France - Canada
– American Samoa – Benin – Botswana – Burkina Faso – Burundi – Central
African Republic - Philippines – Ghana - Nigeria – Puerto Rico – South Africa –
Tanzania – Togo – Uganda - Ethiopia – Guinea - Burkina – Faso – Gabon - Zaire
– Liberia - Central African Republic - Ivory Coast – Japan - Mali - Mauritania -
Kenya - Madagascar – Togo – Bolivia - Zimbabwe - Singapore – Greece - Cyprus
– Sweden - Hong Kong – Barbados – Cambodia – Jamaica and many more!

Standardizing a Sign Language internationally has not happened with any

national Sign Language. However, there is a Sign Language system called
International Sign Language (ISL); it was previously called Gesturo. It is
used at international Deaf events and conferences. It uses various signs
from several national Sign Languages and was first used in the 1970s at the
World Federation of the Deaf in Finland. To get more information about ISL,
contact Gallaudet University.

Sign Language is the first native language for human kind. Our ancestors,
before they discovered the sound of speech and named every tone they
had, their body language used to be their only language.
This can be observed in drawings at historical sites where entire stories
were drawn on walls.

Naturally, any two Deaf people will do better at communicating with each
other than most hearing people meeting a foreigner who speaks
another language. After all, the Deaf have a lifetime’s experience at making
themselves understood to hearing people through mime and gestures.
5
 Extra benefits of Signing!
It has been scientifically proven that users of American Sign Language have
shown ability to process visual mental images differently to hearing users of
any spoken language. Though Language speakers possess the skills needed
to process visual imagery, American Sign Language users demonstrate faster
processing ability, suggesting that Sign Language enhances certain processing
functions of the human brain.

Before we introduce you to Signs, we’ve listed below some technicalities,

information and concepts that you need to know in order to become a good
Signer. When you are Signing in ASL, your Signs are based on the concept
being expressed, and not the equivalent English words.

Many of the Signs may be translated with more than one English word.
In contrast, sometimes, a series of words is needed to express a concept
that ASL can express compactly in one Sign. Your faciaI expression and body
language are important and sometimes crucial to understanding Signs and
their meanings. Use your face to show emotions and expressions. Facial
expression tells what type of sentence is being Signed and how the Signer
feels about the information. Your facial expression is just as important as
what your hands are doing. Sign these expressions as if you actually “feel”
that way. Some adverbs used in English are not usually used in Sign, such as
“very” and “really”, so you have to incorporate them into the verb by using
facial expressions.

Word order in Signed sentences

Putting a sentence together is pretty basic. You usually put it in
subject-verb-direct object order, perhaps throwing in an indirect object
between the verb and the direct object. In ASL, however, you can choose
to assemble your sentence in different orders, depending on the content of
your dialogue. Some sentences should only be Signed in a natural English
order because rearranging them would cause confusion. However, most
of the time, you can get your point across in a variety of ways without
worrying about the word order. 6
Grammatically speaking, Sign is not a written language. It is a form of
communication passed down from generations of the Deaf. Some people
have attempted to make an artificial Sign system for writing purposes, but
few people know it because its use is so limited. Consequently, ASL has no
punctuation because, in its natural state, it is not meant to be a written
language. To write about Sign, as in this book, we had to translate it as
closely as possible into a written language in this case English.

Signing sentences in an understandable order may be a bit tricky at first.

If the person you are Signing to is leaning forward, has an inquisitive look,
or seems distracted, he or she probably doesn’t understand you. You may
want to try that Signing again.

As you go through the book you may notice the following:

Compound Signs: are a combination of two Signs to express the meaning of
one word, such as brother, sister, daughter etc…
Initialized Signs: are Signs that start by shaping the hands with the first
letter of the written word.

Think Pictures!
In order to Sign well, it will help you immensely if you visualize pictures of
your thoughts (if you relate the written word to its picture) because the
sense of hearing does not exist. Deaf people rely immensely on their sense
of vision, interpreting what they see with their hands.
For example:

7
 DRIVE/CAR:
DRIVE/CAR: Pretend that you are steering a car.

EAT:
EAT: Act like you are putting food in your mouth.

MILK:
MILK: Have you ever seen a cow being milked?
That’s how you Sign milk.

8
 Active Hand – Passive Hand:

The hand that you write with is called the Active Hand (AH) or Dominant
Hand. The other is your Base Hand or Passive Hand (PH). When the Sign is
formed with only one hand, the handshape is given to the Active Hand (AH).
When the Passive Hand (PH) mimics or mirrors the shape of the dominant
hand, both hands either move together or alternately. If moving alternately,
you move both hands in alternate directions at the same time.

Male & Female

All Signs expressing the male gender are made near or by the side of the
forehead, representing the old days when every man wore a hat.

For the female gender, Signs are expressed near the cheek when women
too wore hats but tied by a ribbon under their chin (touching the ribbon on
the cheek).

MALE/BOY FEMALE/GIRL

9
 Picture a frame going from the top of your head to your waist.
Your chest is your central point (neutral space):

ASL is a living language and, like all languages, it changes over time. As
technology and concepts come into vogue, ASL users develop new Signs
that become part of the language. Historically, for ease and practicality,
speed of formation, Signs that used to be formed with two hands are now
formed with one hand. Signs have also moved inward toward the center
of the chest where they can be observed more easily. This space is called
“neutral space”, which is the same for most Signs. This refers to the space
just in front of the lower chest where the hands can move most naturally
and where the receiver’s eye can most easily see the Signs.

Now that you have learned all the technicalities and rules of ASL, let’s
learn some basic Signs to get you started.

10
 START/BEGIN
Place your active index finger between your index and middle fingers of
your PH, turn the active index finger outward - it looks like you are turning
the ignition key of a car.

BUY/PURCHASE:
Hold out your PH, palm up. Use your AH as you would to hand money to a
salesclerk.

11
 COOK/FLIP:
Hold your PH out, palm up. Lay your AH across the top of it, palm down.
Now flip your AH over, palm up, then flip it back over, palm down a couple
of times.

BOOK:
Make this Sign as if you are actually opening a book.

12
 SHOP/STORE, TO STORE:
Both hands bent in front of each side of the body, palms facing down,
swing hands from the wrists inward in repeated movement.

MAYBE:
Both hands palms up, move hands up and down with an alternating movement.

Hello:
AH palm out on the upper side of your head, swing your four fingers up and down.

13
 GOODBYE:
AH palm out on the upper side of your head and swing it left and right as
we generally do when waving goodbye to a friend.

PLEASE
AH open, palm, facing your passive side shoulder, rotate couple of times.

THANK YOU
AH open palm facing your mouth. Move it backward half way down.
14
 YES:
AH in a fist shape facing outward (represents your head), move it up and
down as if you are nodding your head in agreement.

NO:
AH first three fingers joined together and moves left and right in disagreement
or decline.

EXCUSE, EXCUSE ME, PARDON:

(The hand seems to wipe off a mistake) wipe the fingers of the open AH across
the palm of the open PH from the heel off to fingertips.

15
 WELCOME:
Bring the curved open palm of AH from in front of the side of the body in
toward the center of the waist.

DEAF:
The tip of the extended AH index and middle fingers touch first the ear and
then the mouth (cannot hear or talk). This Sign can also be done with index
finger only.

AGAIN/ENCORE/REPEAT
PH open palm up is held before the chest. AH in the right-angle position,
fingers pointing up, arches over and into the PH palm.
16
 NAME:
Both hands Index and Middle finger extended, AH on the top. Tap twice the
middle-finger side of the AH across the index-finger side of PH.

FINGERSPELLING, ALPHABET:
(The movement of the fingers in fingerspelling). The AH palm out, is moved
sideways with the fingers wiggling up and down.

NICE/NEAT/FINE:
(Everything is wiped off the hand to emphasize an uncluttered or pleasant
condition.) The AH slowly wipes the upturned PH palm from wrist to fingertips.
Note: the Sign can also be used to say “I am well”.

17
 SIGN:
Beginning with both extended index fingers facing each other in front of
chest. Move the hands in large alternating circles.

LANGUAGE:
Beginning with both hands in ” L” shape near each other and in front of
the chest, palms down, bring the hands outward with a wavy movement in
front of each side of the chest.

SLOWLY:
Pull the fingertips of AH open, palm facing down, from the fingers toward the
wrist of the back of the PH palm facing down.

18
 HAVE/OWN:
(Bring something toward oneself). Bring the fingertips of both right-angle
bent-Hands, palms facing in; touch each side of the chest twice.

HELP:
Both hands joined for assistance (The lower hand seems to give assistance to
the other hand). Closed AH in a fist shape resting on PH open palm up.
Help: Move both hands slightly upward in front of the chest.
Help me: Move both hands back to your chest.
Help you: Move both hands straight towards the person you are Signing to.

19
Exercise: Using the following pictures, recall what each Sign means:

20
21
22
 MANUAL ALPHABET:

If you are trying to Sign a concept, but you don’t know a Sign, you can
always spell out the word using fingerspelling. Fingerspelling is the
letter-by-letter spelling of words using the hand-shapes of the
American Manual Alphabet. Usually fingerspelling is used for
words that has no Sign, such as proper names and technical terms.

Signers use the manual alphabet all the time, especially beginners.
If you want to fingerspell two or more words in a row, pause for just a
second between each word. Don’t worry about being slow at fingerspelling.
Remember, clarity is the goal, not speed, silently mouth the letters
(without moving your lips) as you fingerspell them. Doing so helps you to
control your speed.

Excercise 1
Using the manual alphabet, practice fingerspelling your own name.
Then fingerspell ten words of your choice. Refer to the manual alphabet, if
needed to double check yourself.
Excercise 2
Fingerspell names of your family members.

23
NUMBERS:

Did you know that counting in Sign can be done in 27 different ways?
That’s pretty cool piece of trivia, but in this book, we just concentrate
on one way. If you would like to check out some other ways to count,
Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute of the Deaf are
great resources.

Being able to give numerical information in ASL opens many doors.

You can give someone your phone number, make an appointment, indicate
the count of many aspects, etc.

24
 HUNDRED:

AH in C shape, in front of the chest, fingers facing sideway.

THOUSAND:

AH bent to form an angle, palm down, PH palm upright in front of the chest;
tap AH fingertips against the heel of PH palm.

MILLION:

Same position of “Thousand” Sign, followed by AH moving in an arc forward

to tap on PH fingertips.

25
 NUMBER:

Both hands in flattened O, fingers touching; move hands while twisting

wrists in opposite directions and touch fingers again.
To Sign decade numbers – 30,40,50 and so on – you Sign the first
number followed by the Sign for the number 0. You Sign “hundreds” such
as 600,700,800 and so on by first Signing the number (6, 7,8) then the Sign
for “hundred”.

Exercise 1:
Practice on signing 1 to 21 while saying it silently and focusing on shape of
your hand preferably in front of a mirror to spot any mistakes.
Note: don’t look at your hand while signing, instead, you should maintain
eye contact with the person you are signing with at all times.

Exercise 2:
Practice on signing 3 phone numbers 5 times each.

Exercise 3:
Try to sign the following numbers:
23 – 45 – 56 – 65 – 76- 81 – 86 – 89 – 101 – 120 – 150 – 233 – 241 – 275 – 550
– 678 – 1100 – 1325 – 4500 – 3534 – 4630 – 5634 – 6775 – 7825 – 8320 - 9999
– 1,320,500 – continue with any number that comes to your mind.

26
 TIME OF DAY:

GOOD, WELL:

Bring AH down to land back on PH open palm up. Note: this Sign can also
be used to say “I am good/well”.

MORNING:

AH arm in a perfect L shape extended in front of your body, open palm up,
raise AH up to end in front of AH shoulder.(Picture the horizon in front of
you and the sun (your hand) is rising).

27

17
 NOON:

AH arm bent right up in front of your shoulder , palm open facing sideway.
Rest the elbow of AH arm on the back of the PH held across the body.
(The sun is in middle of the sky).

AFTERNOON, MATINEE:

AH palm open facing sideway; elbow of AH resting on back palm of PH held

across the chest, move AH down to form a diagonal position.
(Sun’s position is between noon and evening).

28

18
 EVENING:

Both AH and PH palm down, relaxed hands, arms bent in front of the chest,
crossed from the wrists AH resting on PH.

NIGHT, MIDNIGHT:

Arm extended AH open palm up. PH and arm in a bent shape across the
chest. Slide AH arm under the arm of PH.

29
 NOW,CURRENT,PRESENT:

Bring both Y shape hands palms up, downward once in front of each side
of the body.

TODAY:

Bring both Y shape hands, palms up, with a short double movement
downward in front of each side of the body.

30
Exercise: Using the following pictures, recall the name of each Sign:

31
 PRONOUNS:
PERSONAL – POSSESSIVE AND
REFLEXIVE:
In the course of getting to know someone, especially when you are both
asking questions about each other, you’ll find that it is probably easier to
use pronouns. Using pronouns in Sign is the same as in English; you need
to refer to a noun before you use a pronoun.

Sign plural pronouns by holding your hand, palm outward, toward the
persons to whom you are referring and move your hand from side to side
in a sweeping motion.

32
 ME:

AH in 1 shape, index finger pointing near chest, touch chest with the
extended index finger.

YOU:

AH in 1 shape palm down or up, index finger pointing forward. Jab index
finger forward toward referent.
Same hand shape goes for: She/He/They and You (plural).

33
 WE:

AH in 1 shape, index finger resting on Active side shoulder. Swing hand to

the passive side shoulder in an arc movement.

MY, MINE:

AH open palm in, bring palm in against chest.

YOUR:

AH open palm out facing forward toward referent.

Same hand shape goes for: Her/His/Their and Your (plural).
34
 OUR:

AH open palm slightly curved, thumb resting on active side shoulder, swing
the hand in an arc to the passive side shoulder ending with palm little
finger on chest.

MYSELF:

AH in A shape, tap the thumb against the chest with a double movement.

35
 YOURSELF:

AH in A shape, push thumb forward toward referent.

Same hand shape goes for: She/He/They and You (plural).

OURSELVES:

AH in A shape, thumb resting on Active side shoulder, move hand in an arc

to end touching the passive side shoulder.

THIS – THAT – THESE - THOSE

As a group, four little pronouns, this, that, these and those as
demonstrative pronouns. Sign the pronoun “That” by pointing to your
subject with your AH in the Y shape and bent at the wrist. Sign this, these,
and those by pointing to the subject (s).

36
 THIS

THAT

THESE, THOSE

37
 FAMILY MEMBERS:

PARENTS:
AH in P shape, touches the side of the chin first, then moves to touch the temple.

MOTHER, MAMA, MOM:

AH palm open in 5 shape thumb on side chin, tap thumb twice.

FATHER,DAD, PAPA:
AH palm open in 5 shape thumb on side forehead. Tap thumb twice.

38
 GRANDMOTHER:

AH palm open in 5 shape like Mother, thumb on side cheek; hand moves
outward in double arc (two generations).

GRANDFATHER:

AH palm open in 5 shape like Father, thumb on side forehead; hand moves
outward in double arc (two generations).

COUSIN (female):
AH in a C shape next to cheek. Shake hand from the wrist. (Note: For Cousin
(Male) Form the same Sign near the forehead).
39
 AUNT:

AH in A shape, palm outward near right side of chin. Twist hand sideways
from the wrist.

UNCLE:

AH in U shape, palm outward near the temple. Twist hand sideways from
the wrist.

NIECE:

AH in N shape near the side of cheek. Twist hand sideways from the wrist.

40
 NEPHEW:
AH in N shape near the side of temple. Twist hand sideways from the wrist.

MALE/BOY:
AH in flattened C shape, thumb side on forehead. Close fingers and thumb
together with a double movement. (as if you are touching the tip of your hat).

FEMALE/GIRL:

AH in A shape, palm in, thumb on cheek. Brush thumb downward toward

chin with a double movement.
41
 BABY, INFANT:

Both palms up in front of chest Active arm bent resting on bent Passive
arm. Swing arms from side to side (as if you are rocking baby to sleep).

DAUGHTER/BABY GIRL:
“Female/Girl” and “Baby” SIGNS.

SON/BABY BOY:

“Male/Boy” and “Baby” SIGNS.

42
 MARRY/MARRIAGE:

AH palm down curved above PH; PH palm up in front of chest. Make a circle
with AH before bringing palms together.

HUSBAND:
“Boy” and “Marry” SIGNS.

WIFE:

“Girl” and “Marry” SIGNS.

43
 DIVORCE:
(Two people moving apart). Beginning with both hands in D shape touching,
palm facing each other and index fingers pointing up, in front of the chest.
Swing the hands away from each other while twisting the wrist, ending with
hands in front of each side of the body.

SAME, ALIKE, AS, IDENTICAL:

Both hands in 1 shape palms down in front of each side of the body, index
fingers pointing forward. Bring sides of index fingers together.
44
 BROTHER:

“Boy” and “Same” SIGNS.

SISTER:
“Girl” and “Same” SIGNS.

POLITE, COURTEOUS, GENTLE, MANNERS:

AH open palm in 5 shape, thumb on chest, tap thumb on chest with a double
movement.

45
 MAN, GENTLEMAN:

“Boy” and “Polite” SIGNS.

WOMAN,LADY:

“Girl” and “Polite” SIGNS.

KIDS/CHILDREN:
(Patting a number of children on their heads). Pat the AH open palm down,
in front of the side of the body and then move out with a double arc.
46
 TWINS:

AH in T shape; touch the index-finger side on both sides of the chin.

OLD/AGE:

Move the AH in C shape from near the chin downward a short distance while
closing into an S shape. (shows the shape of a beard on an old person).

47
AND, ALSO, MOREOVER:
AH open in 5 shape palm in, on the opposite side of the body and in front
of the chest, move the hand to the other side while closing the fingers to
the thumb to form an O shape.

WORK, WORKING:

Both hands in S shape, with your palms facing downward, use your AH fist
to tap the side wrist of your PH fist few times.

48
 SCHOOL:

(The teacher’s hands clapping for attention). Both hands open palms are
clapped together several times.

GO/DEPART/LEAVE:

(Something get smaller as it disappears into the distance). AH in C shape,

fingers pointing at head. Move hand quickly away from the head ending in
O shape.

49
 FRIEND/FRIENDSHIP:

(Locked together in friendship). The right and left hands are interlocked
at the index fingers or the small fingers. Close Friends: Hands separate,
change their relative positions, and come together again interlocked at
small or index fingers.

FAMILY:

(Joining a group of people in a circle). Both hands in F shape palms out

joined together, move hands away from each other in outward circle while
turning both palms in, ending with little fingers together.
50
 Exercise:
Using the following pictures, recall the name of each Sign

51
52
 Exercise 2:
Sign the following sentences:
Good morning
Good afternoon
Good evening

53
My father’s name is John
My mother’s name is Joanna
I have 1 brother and 2 sisters
My uncle works at WH Smith
My Grandfather is 70 years old
I have a friend his name is Peter
Richard is my colleague
My daughter is going to school in the afternoon
Exercise 3:
Now it is your turn to compose 5 sentences from all Signs you learned so
far and practice on signing them .

INITIALIZED SIGNS:

ORGANIZATION:

Both hands in O shape, palms facing forward, fingertips touching in front of

the chest. Move hands away from each other forming a circle while turning
palms in and ending with little fingers together.

54
 SOCIETY, SOCIAL:

Both hands in S shape palms facing forward thumbs touching in front of

the chest. Move hands away from each other forming a circle while turning
palms in and ending with little fingers together.

TEAM:

Both hands in T shape palms facing forward, thumbs touching in front of

the chest. Move hands away from each other to form a circle while turning
palms in and ending with little fingers together.

55
 CLASS, CATEGORY:

Both hands in C shape palms out fingers touching each other in front of
the chest. Move hands away from each other to form a circle while turning
palms in, ending with little fingers together.

GROUP:
Both hands in G shape palms facing each in front of the chest. Move hands
away from each other to form a circle while turning palms in and ending
with little fingers together.

56
 QUESTION KEYS:
As you Sign the question word, lean forward a little, look inquisitive, scrunch
your eyebrows together, and tilt your head to one side.

Your Active Hand: the one that you write with does the action.
Remember to always maintain eye contact. That way, you and the other
person can make sure that you understand one another.

Question mark (beginning of sentence):

Draw with your AH index finger the shape of question mark in front of You.

57
 Question mark (end of sentence):

After you Sign your question, as a rule, you Sign the manual question mark
with AH in X shape index moving repeatedly up and down.

WHO:

AH in X shape side facing toward lips, move index finger up and down few
times in front of lips.

58
 WHICH:
Both hands in 10 shape, palms in facing each other move hands up and
down with an alternating movement .

WHY:

AH palm in, tab the side of forehead and change to Y shape keeping palm
in as it moves away.

HOW:

Palms facing in opposite directions, knuckles touching, fingers on chest.

Twist fingers up, ending with palms up.

59
 HOW MANY:

“HOW” Sign followed by changing both hands to 5 shape, palms up, wiggle
fingers.

WHEN:

Palms facing, AH above passive hand and fingers pointing toward each other.
Move AH index finger in circular movement around before landing on PH index
finger.
60
 HOW MUCH:

“HOW” Sign, hands palms up moving to a short distance briefly up and

down as if weighing the money.

WHERE:

AH in 1 shape , arm bent from elbow , shake index finger side to side with
a double movement.

WHAT:

AH in 1 shape facing open side PH, bring AH index finger down across PH palm.

61
Exercise 1:

Practice on signing the following sentences:

Who is cooking today?

What is the name of your friend?

Where is your book?

When you are going for swimming?

Which car you are buying?

How many books you have?

How much is the milk?

Why are you working today?

How is your mother?

Exercise 2:
Now create your own question sentences and practice them.

PERSON MARKER/OCCUPATION:
In ASL turning a verb into a person is called Person Marker. You do it with
two simple motions: Sign the verb and then glide your hands down the
sides of your body with your fingers pointing outward. The result of this is
an Agent or a Person.

62
 PERSON MARKER:

TEACH, EDUCATE, INSTRUCT :

Both hands AH fingers brought together to form a flattened O, same shape for
PH. Position both hands near each side of the head, Move forward with a short
double movement. (Information in the head are given to the student/receiver).

TEACHER:

“Teach” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

63
 ACT, PERFORM:

Both hands in A shape palms facing each other on each side of chest, move
backward with alternating circular movements.

ACTOR, PERFORMER:

“Act” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

64
 CAMERA, TAKING A PHOTO:
Both hands in L shape, palms facing each other near each side of the head.
Bend index fingers down.

PHOTOGRAPHER:

“Camera” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

65
 WRITE, EDIT, SCRIBBLE:

AH in baby O shape (as if you are holding a pen in your hand) PH palm up
in front of the chest, move from heel to fingers of PH (as if you are writing
on PH palm).

WRITER, AUTHOR:

“Write” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

66
 SELL, RETAIL, SALE:

Both hands palms facing the body. Bend hands from the wrists in and out
in a multiple movement.

SALESCLERK, MERCHANT, SELLER :

“Sell” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

SERVE, SERVICE:

Both hands open and apart, palms up in front of the body; move hands forward
and back slightly with a multiple movement.

67
 SERVER:

“Serve” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

HAIRCUT/CUTTING HAIR:

AH in V shape, palm in facing the upper head. Open and close index and
middle finger while moving back alongside of the head (cutting the hair
with scissors). Note: This Sign can be Signed with two hands.

BARBER, BEAUTICIAN, HAIR STYLIST:

“Haircut” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

68
 LAW/LEGAL:

AH in L shape facing PH open palm. Palms facing each other and outward,
positioned slightly to PH side shoulder. Glide AH palm on PH palm, first near
fingers then on heel.

LAWYER/ATTORNEY:

“Law” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

69
 COOK, BAKE, FLIP:

Hold your PH out, palm up. Lay your AH across the top of it, palm down.
Now flip your AH over, palm up, then flip it back over, palm down a couple
of times.

CHEF, COOK:

“Cook” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

LEARN/STUDY:

AH in C shape, fingers on PH open palm, palms facing each other in front of the
body. AH hand moves upward to one side of forehead while changing to flattened
O. (PH represent an open book and AH moving information from book to head).
70
 STUDENT, PUPIL:

“Learn” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

TEETH:

AH in X shape in front of mouth, lips open; point index finger to teeth.

71
 DENTIST:

“Teeth” and “Person Marker” SIGNS.

PREPOSITIONS/KEY LOCATIONS

ON:

Bring the open palm of AH downward on the back of the PH held in front of
the body. Both palms facing down.
72
 OFF:

AH palm resting on PH back hand; raise AH up keeping palm open.

OVER, ACROSS:

AH palm facing in, PH palm down in front of the body. Slide little-finger
side of AH across the back of PH.

UNDER:

AH in A shape palm facing in, PH palm down, thumb pointing upward; move
AH from near chest, forward under PH palm.

73
 IN FRONT OF, AHEAD:

Both hands in A shape palms facing each other in front of the body. Move
AH in an arc to the front of the PH.

BEHIND, BACKSIDE:

Both hands in A shape palms facing each other in front of the body.
Move AH back in an arc, ending behind PH.

74
 TO:

Both hands in 1 shape, AH index finger pointing forward; PH index finger

pointing up in front of the body. Move AH index finger a short distance
forward to meet PH index finger.

FROM:

AH in X shape fingers pointing forward, palm facing in, PH in 1 shape index

finger pointing up. AH index touching PH index finger. Keeping the same
shape, move AH back from PH in a straight line.

IN, INTERNAL, INSIDE:

Both hands in flattened O shape. Move AH down to end inside PH palm.

75
 OUT, OUTSIDE:

Start from the end position of “IN” Sign. Bring AH out of PH palm.

WITH:

Both hands in A shape, palms apart and facing each other in front of chest.
Bring hands together.
76
 WITHOUT:

Both hands in A shape changing to 5. Palms together facing each other in

front of the chest; bring hands apart while opening fingers to form 5.

BEFORE:

PH palm is held in short distance before the body. AH back resting in PH palm.
AH move rather quickly toward the body. (The Sign is used as an indication of
time or of precedence.

AFTER:

PH palm is held in short distance before the body. AH palm facing PH back.
AH moves straight out from PH away from the body.

77
Exercise:
recall the following signs for the sentences:

1-

2-

3-

78
 4-

5-

6-

7-

79
8-

9-

80
 HOME:

HOME:

AH in flattened O shape; touch fingertips first on the mouth, moving upward

to the ear (Home where you eat and sleep).

WALL:

Both hands in B shape, palms out and forward, index fingers touching each
other and fingers pointing up in front of face. Bring hands straight apart
from each other then straight back.

81
 FLOOR:

Both hands in B shape, both palms down, Index fingers touching each other
and fingers pointing forward in front of waist. Bring hands straight apart
from each other.

WINDOW:

Both hands in B shape, both palms in, fingers pointing in opposite directions,
AH above PH in front of the body. Bring AH little finger up and down again on
PH index finger with a double movement.
82
 DOOR:

Both hands in B shape, both palms out, fingers pointing up in front of the
body. Swing AH backward ending with palm facing PH. (Opening one side
of the door).

TABLE, DESK:

Both hands open and both palms down, bent Active arm on bent Passive
arm; tap arms together with a small double movement.

83
 CHAIR, SEAT:

Both hands in H shape both palms down, AH fingers curved across PH fingers
in front of the body; tap AH fingers across PH fingers in double movement.

SIT, SITTING:

Similar to “CHAIR” Sign except made with one single movement.

84
 COUCH, SOFA, BENCH:

“SIT” and shape of Bench: (as follows) both hands in C shape, palms down in front
of the body. Move both C hands apart to each side.

FURNITURE:

Both hands in F shape and palms facing out, fingers pointing up; move both
hands with a short side-to-side movement Note: This Sign can be made
with one hand.

85
 LAMP, SHINE:

AH in flattened O shape changes to 5 palm down, bent elbow resting on PH

palm. Move AH slightly downward while opening the fingers.

LIGHT:

AH in 8 shape changes to 5, palm in and in front of chin. Flick middle

finger open.

86
 ROOM, BOX, PACKAGE, PRESENT:

Both hands open palms facing each other on both sides of body. Change
to palm in, bend wrists, moving PH near body and AH somewhat forward
ending Sign with a square shape.

POLITE, COURTEOUS, COURTESY, GENTLE, MANNERS:

AH open palm in 5 shape, thumb on chest, tap thumb on chest with a double
movement.

87
 LIVING ROOM:

“Polite” and “Room” SIGNS.

FOOD:

AH in a flattened O shape, palm in, fingers pointing near lips; move fingertips
to the lips. Repeat few times.

88
 DINING ROOM:

“Food” and “Room” SIGNS.

BED/SLEEP:

AH open palm facing the cheek. Lay cheek against AH palm. (Note: This
Sign can be done with both hands).

BEDROOM:

“Bed” and “Room” SIGNS.

89
 BATHING:

Both palms in 10 shape on each side of chest. Rub palm sides of both hands
up and down on chest.

BATHROOM:

“Bath” and “Room” SIGNS.

RESTROOM:
AH in R shape, palm down fingers pointing forward on the side of the body.
Bounce down, move it slightly on the side out and bounce down again.
90
 TOILET:

AH in T shape, palm out in front of the side of the body. Shake from the
wrist with repeated movement.

COOK,BAKE,FLIP:

Hold your PH out, palm up. Lay your AH across the top of it, palm down.
Now flip your AH over, palm up, then flip it back over, palm down a couple
of times.

91
 KITCHEN:

AH in K shape palm down across PH palm up.Flip AH over ending with back
of AH on PH palm in multiple movement.

HOUSE:

Both hands palms angled toward each other, fingertips touching. Bring
hands down and apart from each other a short distance and then straight
down.

92
 BIG:

Move both hands in L shape palms out apart from in front of the body in
large arc to end each on side of the shoulder.

BUT:

Both index fingers crossed in front of the chest, palms down, bring the
hands apart with a deliberate movement. Note: Same Sign also used for
“However”.

DON’T/IS NOT:

(Flicking away something distasteful). AH in 10 shape, thumb under the

chin, palm facing sideway. Forward hand with deliberate movement .

93
ACTION VERBS:
ACTION VERBS:

CLEAN:

AH palm down across PH palm up in front of the body. Wipe AH palm across
PH palm from heel to the fingers in multiple movement.

WANT:

(Represents bringing a wanted thing toward oneself). Both palms in 5 shape

in front of the body palms facing up and fingers pointing forward. Bring the
hands back toward the chest while constricting the fingers toward the palms.

94
 SWEEP:

AH palm open facing the body, little-finger side on PH palm; PH palm up.
Brush AH little finger from heel toward the fingers of PH palm in multiple
movement. (AH presents the broom brushing away dirt).

WASH, RUB, WIPE:

Both hands in A shape, palms facing each other, AH on top of PH Location

in front of the body. Rub AH knuckles across PH knuckles with repeated
movements.

95
 FIND, DISCOVER, PICK UP:

AH in 5 shape palm down changes to F shape. Bring hand up while closing

thumb and index finger.

USE, UTILIZE :

AH in U shape palm forward, heel on back of PH, fingers pointing up; PH

palm down in S shape in front of the body. Move AH in small circle, hitting
back of PH each time it passes. Repeat few times.

96
 WAIT:

Both hands palms apart and up, fingers curved and pointing up in front of
the body. Wiggle fingers, repeat few times.

SEE,VISUALIZE :

AH in V shape palm in, fingers pointing at eyes. Bring hand forward a short
distance.

97
 LOOK AT, WATCH :

AH in V shape palm in, fingers pointing to eyes then forward. Move hand
forward a short distance.

PLAY:

Both hands in Y shape palms facing the body on both sides of chest. Twist
wrists up and down with repeated movements.

98
 REST, RELAX, RETIRE :

Both palms in, wrists crossed on each side of chest. Lay palms on chest
near opposite shoulder.

GET, OBTAIN, RECEIVE:

Both hands in 5 changes to S shape, palms facing opposite directions, AH

on top of PH. Bring hands in 5 Shape toward chest ending in S shape with
little-finger side of AH on thumb side of PH.

99
 KEEP, MAINTAIN:

Both hands in K shape, palms facing in opposite directions; AH on top of PH

in front of the body. Tap little finger side of AH on thumb side of PH.

FIX, MEND, REPAIR:

Both hands in flattened O, palms facing each other in front of the body,
fingertips touching. Move hands tip up and down with a double movement
brushing fingertips across each other.

90
 GO/DEPART/LEAVE:

(Something get smaller as it disappears into the distance) AH in C shape,

fingers pointing at head. Move hand quickly away from the head ending in
O shape.

NEED/HAVE TO/MUST:

(Represent the Woodpecker bird in need of food, a forceful movement to

emphasize need). AH in X shape palm facing downward on the side of the
body. From the wrist, move the hand up and down in repeated movements.

101
 PAY:

(Directing money to pay another person). Extended index of AH touching

the palm of PH, palms facing each other; move AH index finger forward and
off the PH fingertips.

MAKE, PRODUCE, MANUFACTURE:

(Hands seem to be molding something). Both hands in S shape, AH on top of

PH. Twist hands in opposite directions from the wrists in a double movement.

102
 POLISH:

both hands in A shape, both palms down; AH on back of PH in front of body.

Rub AH knuckles across back of PH with repeated movements.

CAN:

Move both hands in S shape, palms facing down, downward simultaneously

with a short double movement in front of each side of the body. (Both hands
sign yes, indicating ability to do something).

CAN’T:

Both hands in 1 shape; bring the AH index finger downward as it moves in

front of the chest to strike PH index finger, both palms facing down.
103
Exercise:
Recall the names of the following signs:

104
105
 MEDICAL & EMERGENCIES:
Knowing the Signs for symptoms of illness can really help you figure out
the best way to handle a medical problem:

DEAF:

The tip of the extended AH index and middle fingers touch first the ear and
then the mouth (Cannot hear or talk). This Sign can also be done with index
finger only.

TEMPERATURE:
Both hands in 1 shape,AH palm down index finger resting on tip of PH index
finger pointing up in front of the body; slide AH index finger up and down
on PH index finger.

106
 BLIND:

AH in V shape palm in front the eyes. Jab fingertips in toward eyes.

PAIN, ACHE:

Both hands in 1 shape, AH palm down,PH palm up; fingers pointing toward
each other in front of the body. Twist wrists in opposite directions.

107
 MEDICINE:

Both hands in 5 Shape, AH palm facing PH palm up. With bent middle finger
of AH in PH palm, rock AH from side to side .

PILL, TAKE A PILL:

AH in A shape palm facing the mouth. Beginning with index finger tucked
under thumb, flick index finger toward mouth with a double movement.

108
 INJECTION, SHOT, VACCINE:

AH in L shape palm in; index finger pointing on PH upper arm. Poke the
extended index finger against upper left arm while moving the thumb in a
multiple movement.

SURGERY, OPERATE:

AH palm down in A shape; PH palm up; AH on top of PH in front of the body.

Move AH thumb from fingers to heel/heel to fingers of PH palm.

109
 HELP:

Both hands joined for assistance (The lower hand seems to give assistance to
the other hand). Closed AH in a fist shape resting on PH open palm up.
Help: Move both hands slightly upward in front of the chest.
Help me: Move both hands back to your chest.
Help you: Move both hands straight towards the person you are Signing to.

BODY:

Both hands in 5 or B shape palms in, fingers pointing toward each other on
each side of chest; fingers touch each side of the chest and then each side
of the waist.

110
 STOMACH:

AH bent palm up; fingers pointing in near stomach; tap fingers on stomach
with a double movement.

HEAD:

AH bent palm down; fingers pointing at head; fingers touch the top of the
head and then side of chin.

111
 FACE, LOOKS:

AH in 1 shape palm in; index finger pointing near face; with the index finger,
draw a circle around face .

MOUTH:

AH in 1 shape palm in; finger pointing near mouth; move the index finger by
drawing a circle around mouth.

112
 EAR:

AH in A shape palm in near earlobe; wiggle the earlobe with the index finger
and thumb.

BACK:

AH palm open and down, fingers pointing back over AH shoulder; pat fingers
behind shoulder few times.

113
 ARM:

AH in curved shape palm down, over PH extended arm; slide AH from PH

wrist to above elbow.

EYE:

AH in 1 shape palm in, in front of eye; point finger toward eye with a short
double movement.

NOSE:

AH in 1 shape palm down near nose; touch finger to nose.

114
 TEETH:

AH in X shape in front of mouth, lips open; tap index finger on teeth.

DOCTOR:

Put AH in D shape on wrist of PH palm up; tap heel of AH on PH wrist with

a double movement.

115
 NURSE:

Put AH in N shape, palm down, on wrist of PH palm up; tap AH fingertips on

PH wrist with a double movement.

MEDICAL:

Put AH in M shape palm down, on wrist of PH palm up; tap fingertips of AH

on PH wrist with a double movement.

116
 HOSPITAL:

AH in H shape palm in, fingers pointing on PH upper arm; move AH fingers

down and then from back to front.

PATIENT:

AH in P shape palm in, fingers pointing on PH upper arm; move AH fingers

down and then from back to front.

117
 AMBULANCE:

AH in flattened O changes to 5 changes back to flattened O palm forward

in front of AH shoulder; twist hand back and forward while opening and
closing the fingers.

HEALTHY, STRONG:

Both hands in 5 change to S shape, both palms in, fingers pointing up, on
each side of chest; bring hands forward while closing the fingers .
118
 HEALTH, HUMAN, HYGIENE:

Both hands in H shape palms in, fingers apart and pointing toward each other
on each side of chest; move both hands down to touch each side of waist.

HURT, WOUND:

Both hands in 1 shape palms in, fingers pointing toward each other in front
of the chest; jab fingers toward each other with a short double movement.

119
 EARACHE:

“HURT” Sign, signed near the ear.

STOMACHACHE:

“HURT” Sign, signed near the stomach.

HEADACHE:

“HURT” Sign, signed near the forehead.

120
 BANDAGE:
AH in H shape, both hands palm down; AH above PH in front of the body;
slide AH fingers across back of PH.

HEART:

AH in 8 shape palm in near PH side of chest; tap the bent middle finger and
thumb on the chest with a double movement.

COLD (Illness):
AH palm in with the thumb and index finger holding the nose; pull AH forward
off the nose with a short double movement.

121
 FAINT:

AH in 1 shape changes to 5 shape palm down; move AH down to side of

chest while changing to 5 shape.

SICK:

Both hands in 5 shape palms in, AH near the forehead, PH near the stomach;
touch AH bent middle finger to forehead and PH bent middle finger to stomach.

DIZZY, WOOZY:

AH in curved shape palm in near side of head; move AH in a repeated circular

movement. Note: this Sign may be made with two curved hands on each side
of the head.

122
 UPSET:

AH palm in and on stomach; flip the hand forward, ending with palm up.

VOMIT:

Both hands in 5 shape, palms facing each other , AH near mouth, PH somewhat
forward; move both hands forward in large arcs .

COUGH:
AH in S shape and on chest; hit thumb side of AH against the chest with a
double movement.

123
 BREATHE, BREATH, EXHALE, INHALE:

Both hands in 5 shape, both palms in and AH above PH in front of chest;

move hands forward and back with a double movement.

INFECTION:

AH in I shape palm facing forward; move AH from side to side with repeated
movements.

EMERGENCY:
AH in E shape palm facing forward; move AH from side to side with repeated
movements.

124
 Exercise:
Recall the following signs:

125
126
127
 FOOD & EATING:
A great way to remember how to make the Signs for tableware is pretty
simple. What you do with the objects relates to the Signs?

For example: Napkin is wiping motion on the mouth; Spoon uses scooping
motion; Fork is a stabbing motion; Knife has a cutting motion.

The Sign for Bacon mimics the waviness of a fried strip; Toast lets you know
that the bread is browned on both sides; Cereal is the crunchy stuff you
chew; Use the common abbreviations for Orange juice and Sign the letters
O and J.

To order a Burger, you imitate the motions of making a patty, for French
Fries is the letter F repeated twice, Sign for Pizza by bending your index
and middle fingers and then making the manual Z.

ASL does not have established Signs for ethnic food. If the food is popular,
you may see a variety of ways to Sign it.

EAT:
AH in a flattened O shape, palm in, and fingers pointing near lips; move fingertips
to the lips with one single movement.

128
 MORNING :

AH arm in a perfect L shape extended in front of your body, open palm up,
raise AH up to end in front of AH shoulder.(Picture the horizon in front of
you and the sun (your hand) is rising).

NOON:

AH arm bent right up in front of your shoulder , palm open facing sideway.
Rest the elbow of AH arm on the back of the PH held across the body.
(The sun is in middle of the sky).

129
 EVENING:

Both AH and PH palm down, relaxed hand, arms bent in front of the chest,
crossed from the wrists AH resting on PH.

BREAKFAST 1:
“Eat” and “Morning” SIGNS.

130
 LUNCH 1:

“Eat” and “Noon” SIGNS.

DINNER 1:
“Eat” and “Evening” SIGNS.

BREAKFAST 2:
AH in B shape in front of the mouth; tap index finger to chin with a double
movement.
131
 LUNCH 2:

AH in L shape in front of the mouth; tap thumb to chin with a double movement.

DINNER 2:

AH in D shape palm in, in front of the mouth; tap fingers to chin with a
double movement.
132
 EGG:
Both hands in H shape palms in, AH fingers across PH fingers in front of
chest; tap fingers once and move hands downward and away from each
other with a double movement. (Cracking the egg open).

BUTTER:

AH in H shape, PH open palm in front of the body; with palms facing each
other wipe AH fingers across PH palm with repeated movements, closing AH
fingers back into palm each time.

BREAD:
AH bent and palm in, fingers touching back of PH, PH palm in and in front of
the body; move AH fingertips down back of PH with repeated movements.
(Cutting a loaf of bread).
133
 TOAST:

AH in V shape, PH open, both palms facing each other; AH fingertips in PH

palm in front of the body; swing AH around to touch fingertips to back of
PH in a repeated movement.

FRENCH FRIES:

AH in F shape palm down on side of the body; dip fingers down first in front
of body and again slightly out to the side.

POTATO:

AH in bent V, PH in S shape, both palms down in front of the body, AH over

PH; tap AH fingertips on back of PH with a double movement.
134
 PANCAKE:

Both hands open palms, AH palm on PH palm up in front of the body; flip
AH over once, ending with palm up.

CEREAL:

AH in X shape palm down in front of the mouth; open and close the index
while moving to other side of the mouth and back again.

VEGETABLE:
AH in V shape facing the mouth, fingers pointing up; beginning with index
finger touching one side of the mouth then twist hand ending middle finger
on the other side of the mouth .
135
 SALAD:
Both hands apart and palms up, fingers pointing toward each other near
each side of the body; move hands toward each other and up in a double
circular movement.

PIZZA:

AH in bent U shape, palm down; form a Z shape in the air in front of the body.

SPAGUETTI:
Beginning with both extended little fingers touching in front of the chest,
palms facing in, bring the hands apart in small circular movements, ending
in front of each shoulder.
136
 LASAGNA:
Both hands open and palms down, fingers touching in front of the chest; bring
both hands apart in a wavy movements ending in front of each shoulder.

BACON:
Both hands in U shape, palms down, fingers touching in front of the chest; move
hands outward to each side while bending the fingers with repeated movements.

MEAT/STEAK:
AH palm down; PH palm in, in front of the body, while grasping the PH near the
base of the index finger with the AH index finger and thumb, shake the hands
slightly. Signing how you want it cooked is easy: Just use manual alphabet and
shake your hand a little: M, M-W, W-D and for rare fingerspell R-A-R-E.
137
 CHICKEN:

Close the index and the thumb of the AH hand, palm facing forward, with
repeated movements in front of the mouth. (Mime the action of a bird’s beak).

HAM:

AH open and palm down, under the chin; swing fingers down and up in
a repeated movement. (Represents the fat chin of a pig swinging while
walking).

138
 FISH:

AH bent from elbow, open palm facing side way; move arm forward in front
of the body in wavy movements.

SAUSAGE:

Both hands in C change to S shape, palms forward in front of the body;

beginning with thumbs touching each other move hands outward to each
side while opening and closing the hands .

HOT DOG:
Both hands palms facing each other, index and thumb fingers facing each
other in front of the chest; move hands outward to each side while pinching
index fingers and thumb together with repeated movements.
139
 BURGER:

Both hands curved palms facing each other; AH on top of PH in front of the
body; flip hands over, ending with PH on top of AH in a repeated movement.

CHEESE:

Both hands open palms facing each other, press AH palm while rotating
back and forth against PH palm.

140
 SOUP:

The upturned open PH represents the bowl of soup. The index and middle
fingers of the AH in bent H shape form a small scoop to represent the spoon;
move AH from the PH palm to the lips and back in a repeated movement.

WARM, WARMTH:

Beginning with the fingers of AH hand in E shape near the mouth, palm facing
in; move the hand forward in small arc while opening the fingers into a C shape.
(Using one’s breath to warm the hand).

141
 HOT, HEAT:

(Hand seems to take something hot and throwing it away). AH in curved 5

shape in front of the mouth, palm facing in; twist the wrist forward with
a deliberate movement while moving downward a short distance ending
palm facing down.

SANDWICH:

With the palms of both open hands together, AH above PH; bring the fingers
toward the mouth with a short double movement. (Represents a sandwich
being eaten).
142
 HUNGRY, STARVED, CRAVE:

AH in C shape fingers touching the neck, palm facing in; move the hand
down a short distance. (Represent a passage to an empty stomach).

THIRSTY:

(Indicates dry throat). AH in 1 shape, palm in, move the extended index
finger pointing up on the side of the neck downward on the length of the
neck, bending the finger down as it moves.

FULL:
The downturned open AH moves up until its back comes into contact with
the underside of the chin. (Full-up to the chin).
143
 PEPPER:
AH in P shape, palm down; shake hand up and down slightly, as if sprinkling
something.

SALT:

(The act of tapping the salt from a knife edge.) Both hands in H shape,
palms down, are held before the chest. The fingers of the AH tap those of
PH several times.

DESSERT:

Both hands, held in D shape, palms facing, come together twice.

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 JELLY, JAM:

AH in J shape, palm in, fingertip on PH palm up; strike AH little finger against
PH palm as it moves upward with a double movement.

SYRUP, HONEY, MOLASSES:

AH in 1 shape, palm down; wipe finger from under nose on upper lip from
side to side. (Wiping it off the lips).

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 SUGAR, SWEET, CUTE:

(Titillating to the taste.) The fingertips of the AH in U Shape, palm facing in,
brush against the lower lip and chin a number of times.

CANDY

The fingertips of the AH in U Shape, palm facing in, brush against the side
of the cheek in double downward motion.

CAKE:

(Cutting a slice). AH in C shape, PH open palm up; the fingers of AH resting

on PH and cut an imaginary slice of cake.
146
 COOKIE, BISCUIT, MUFFIN:
(Represents cutting cookies with a cookie mold.) AH in C shape, palm down,
is placed into the open PH palm. It then rises a bit, swings or twists around
a little, and in this new position is placed again in the open PH palm.

PIE:

(Slicing a wedge-shaped piece of pie). The open upturned PH represents the

pie. The little finger edge of the open AH goes through the motions of
slicing a wedge-shaped piece from the pie.

ICE CREAM, LOLLIPOP:

(The natural Sign). The Signer goes through the act of licking an imaginary
ice cream pop.

147
 POPCORN:

(The popping). Both hands index fingers alternately flick up.

DRINKING, TO DRINK:

AH in C shape, near mouth; keeping the thumb near the chin, tip hand upward
toward the face.

DRINK/DRINKS:

AH in C shape, near mouth; keeping the thumb near the chin, tip hand upward
toward the face in a multiple movement.
148
 WATER:

AH in W shape near mouth; tap index finger against mouth with a double
movement.

MILK:

AH in C shape changes to S shape, on the side of the body; squeeze fingers

open and closed with a double movement.

COFFEE:

Both hands in S shape, AH on PH; rotate AH clockwise on PH. (Represents

grinding the coffee beans).

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 TEA:

AH index and thumb joined together, PH in C shape; rotate AH clockwise

above PH. (Stirring/brewing the teabag).

SODA:

(Corking a bottle) The PH is in O shape, representing the bottle, AH open

hand palm down, middle finger extended representing the cork strikes down
inside PH and lifts up ending with flat hand to strikes down flat again on PH
(Closing the bottle).

BEER:

AH in B shape, palm out; move hand up and down in repeated movements.

150
 WINE:

AH in W shape rotates on the cheek in either clockwise or anticlockwise in

a repeated movement (Tasting the wine).

WHISKEY:

Both hands index and small fingers extended, AH positioned on PH; tap
both hands in a repeated movement. (Distance between index and small
finger represents measuring whiskey in a glass used in the old days).

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BOWL:

Begining with the little fingers of both hands in C shape, palms facing
slighty up. Bring the hand apart and upward ending with the palms facing
each other.

PLATE:

(The shape) The downturned thumbs and index fingers are held in a curve
as they outline the edge of a plate.

FORK:

(The natural Sign) AH in V shape, extended fingers tap repeatedly on the

upturned PH palm.
152
 KNIFE:

Both hands in 1 shape, the edge of AH index finger resting on the edge of
PH index finger; move AH forward and back in a repeated movement.

SPOON:

AH in bent U shape (The spoon) resting on PH upturned palm (The plate), in

front of the body, AH fingers strikes PH palm in an upward repeated movement.

CUP:

AH in C shape (The cup), PH open palm up (The saucer); move AH downward to

rest on PH.
153
GLASS:

AH in C shape, resting on PH open palm up (The saucer); move AH up and

down once to indicate the shape of a glass.

NAPKIN/TISSUE:

Wipe AH open hand fingertips from side to side over the lips with a double
movement (Wiping one’s mouth with a napkin).

154
 RESTAURANT:

AH in R shape, with tip of the fingers on one side of the mouth move the
hand to rest on the other side.

ORDER, TO ORDER, DIRECT:

AH in 1 shape, index finger pointing up, move hand from in front of the
mouth forward in a small arc ending the finger pointing forward.

155
 RESERVATION, BOOKING, APPOINTMENT:

Both hands open palm change to S shape, in front of the chest, AH above PH with
slight distance between them; move AH in a small circle, meanwhile both hands
turning into S shape, and ending the motion by AH resting on the back of PH.

FRIDGE/REFRIGERATOR:

Both bent index fingers strike each other repeatedly at the knuckles.
(Representing the contact between the electrodes).

156
 Exercise:
Recall the names of the following signs:

157
158
159
160
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162
 THE DEAF ETIQUETTE & WAY OF LIFE
Getting close to a Deaf person requires a little vulnerability on both sides.
Many Deaf people are just as insecure about not being understood as you
are, but most are patient and incredibly skilled at getting their point across
to you.

Think about how would you feel if you were living in a foreign land where the
language, customs and culture weren’t native to you? You would probably go
through each day with reluctance and uncertainty. You’d want to say what is
appropriate, not something that would be viewed as ignorant.

You would feel frustrated when you want to state your opinion but cannot
make yourself understood. You would feel isolated when everyone was
laughing at a joke and you didn’t understand the punch line. Deaf people
often feel this way when they are surrounded by hearing people. Deaf
people are an ethnic group. Although they don’t share a commonality of
skin color, they share a common bond of culture. If culture is defined as a
shared knowledge, experience, language, beliefs and customs, Deaf people
are definitely an ethnic group.

A sense of unity: Depending on the size of the Deaf community, Deaf

people will congregate for activities such as bowling leagues, Deaf clubs
and Deaf plays.

ASL pride: Deaf people speak of ASL quite often in conversations. The Deaf
community is very proud and protective of this language, so it is often a
hot topic.

163
 Living together in a hearing world
As you practice and learn more Signs, do your best to Sign when you are talking
with your hearing friends and a Deaf person joins the conversation. It will help
the Deaf person feel included if he or she knows what you are saying.
As your Signing progresses, a Deaf person may ask if your parents are Deaf.
This is a high compliment about your Signing.

Only a few things are more volatile in a Deaf person’s world than a hearing
person who, having taken one or two Sign Language classes, proceeds to
lecture a Deaf person, because she or he doesn’t Sign the way the Sign
Language teacher instructed.

During introduction, always introduce yourself first and simply fingerspell

your name. The Deaf Community gives name Signs to people. If a Signer who
is Deaf has continual contact with someone, that hearing person’s name will
be finger spelled, or the Deaf person will give a name Sign to him or her. Deaf
people are the only ones who give name Signs. Those who can hear don’t
invert their own, nor do they give name Signs to each other. These name
Signs serve as identification. However, a person’s name must be established
before you can use his or her name Sign or talk about that person. If you
don’t fingerspell a person’s name first, you’ll only cause confusion as to
whom you mean.

When fingerspelling or Signing, keep a steady hand. Your Signs are easier
to read when your hand is not shaking.

When you watch Deaf people conversing and you can’t understand anything
that is signed, don’t lose heart. Novice Signers often don’t understand Deaf
nuances and abbreviations, and they often have a hard time keeping up.
Stay with ASL; before you know it you’ll be signing like a pro.

164
 “Deaf and dumb” is an insulting way to label a Deaf person. You should instead
say Deaf and Mute, a scientifically proven and respectful way.

When writing or exchanging correspondence, the word Deaf should always

start with capital “D”, as if you are addressing the “Mr.” and “Mrs.” titles.

Learn Signs from trusted sources or from Deaf friends, and don’t try to
create Signs yourself thinking that a Deaf person will understand you.
Remember: This is their one and only language.

Hanging out with Deaf Friends: Do’s and Don’ts

- Maintain eye contact and make your approach (non-Signers may view
this action as staring and think that it is rude, but in the world of Sign, making
and maintaining eye contact is a necessary common practice).

- Don’t grab or poke when you walk up behind a Deaf person. Doing so
isn’t necessarily offensive but this action is commonly used as a warning that
something is wrong or in an emergency.

- Flickering the lights gets everyone’s attention. This custom is equivalent

to yelling for everyone to ‘listen up’. You can also use it to draw attention
when you enter the room if his or her back is turned towards you.

- Attracting someone’s attention is easy in English. A simple yell turns

many heads. To get attention, you can start by: Waving: to get the Deaf
person’s attention, wave your hand in his or her peripheral vision field.
Wave casually; a frantic wave means something is wrong. Tapping: If you
are close enough in distance to the person, a tap on the arm is a sure and
preferred way to get a response.

Pounding and stomping: Pounding on a table, a counter or stomping on a

wooden floor are two more ways to get attention. These actions release
vibrations; a Deaf person can feel them and turn to see its origination. On
the other hand, if you have a habit of playing with your pen by tapping its

165
edges on the table, tapping your fingers on the table or even tapping your feet
on the floor could be misinterpreted by your Deaf colleague or friend to mean
that you are seeking his or her attention.

Another way to get someone’s attention is to make and maintain eye contact.
You can tell someone across a crowded room that you have something in your
mind, by catching his or her eyes. Once eye contact has been made and you
have approached one another, you can proceed with a conversation.

Never throw objects at a Deaf person to get his or her attention. Besides being
just plain rude, it is also dangerous. ASL is a visual language, so Deaf people
really value their eyesight. Accidentally hitting someone in the eye could be
devastating and you could get hit back!

- Chewing gum is a no-no in Sign. Mouth movement is an important part of

Signed communications.

- Leave your ego at the door. When they correct your every Sign, they
view you as being worthy of the time they spend to do it. When they clap with
their pinkies, it means your progress is noticeable, but you are not quite there
yet. Any way you look at it, your Deaf friends see something in you that makes
them feel good.

- If you get lost in a conversation, that is okay. Don’t feel embarrassed if

someone asks if you understand. Just repeat what you think you understood.
Honesty is honesty in any language.

- When you see two people are Signing secretly, don’t stare. They might
be having a private conversation.

- When visiting Deaf people, don’t just walk into the house since they can’t
hear the doorbell. Deaf people have strobe lights connected to the door bell
and the phone. When either one rings, a light will flash.

- If you are out for a meal with a Deaf person, don’t feel obligated to order
for them unless you are asked. They are accustomed to pointing at an item on
the menu to the server.
166
 - Never initiate a conversation about a Deaf person’s hearing loss.
Questioning implies that you don’t view that person as whole, but broken,
incomplete, or inferior. It is a sensitive subject.

- Signing and talking affect where you sit or stand. Because Signing
is manual, give Signers a little room to converse. If you need privacy, go
somewhere private to have your conversation. Make sure that you stand
where bright light or sun isn’t directly behind you because whoever is
watching you Sign will only see your silhouette - a big giveaway that you
are a beginner.

- Watch the Face, Not the Hands.

You can find most of what you need to know on a Signer’s face. A person’s face
conveys the mood, pauses, any information that can be demonstrated through
mouth shapes, and how the action is done (slowly, quickly, sloppily). If you
focus on a Signer’s hands, you miss a lot of crucial information; instead, focus
on the Signer’s face and shoulders. Use your peripheral vision to watch the
hands. By doing this you see the whole Signer, and you are apt to better
understand the conversation.

- Most Deaf people do not have total hearing loss. It is called ‘Residual
hearing’ - hearing that remains after Deafness occurs.

Finally, you should be aware that this book is not intended to be self –
instructional. No book can be truly self-instructional when the objective is
to learn a language that uses gesture and vision. However, the illustrations
and exercises in this book will help you to recall and practice what your
teacher has presented to you in class or what you have seen on practice
videos. This book serves a purpose for which textbooks are ideally suited:
to be a resource and reference for your ongoing study when no model of
American Sign Language is present to demonstrate the language to you.

167
“Hearing impairment is not a disability but only a
difference in human experience and perception.”
A new Sign Language book is aimed at “breaking the barriers” between
the Deaf community and the rest of society. This book will introduce you
to American Sign Language, which was developed in the US in the early
18th century.

“Sign Language can empower both the Deaf and

the hearing community by breaking the barriers in
everyday life.”
This book will provide the reader with everything needed to begin
using Sign Language in practical, everyday situations, from talking about
family, to planning a party, giving your contact number, to dealing with
“medical situations” etc…

eco
friendly This book doesn’t harm our planet - it was printed on 100% recycled, wood-free paper.