}Mom & Dad

MOM:

Make the sign for "Mother" by placing

the thumb of your right hand against your chin. Your hand should be open, in a "five shape."

Here is a side view of "MOM"

Make the sign for ""ather" by placing the

thumb of your right hand against your forehead. Your hand should be open, #ome people wiggle their fingers slightly while doing the signs mother and father, but you don$t need to.

! :

Boy & Girl

Make the sign for "%oy" by first making the sign for "male" & grab a cap on your
forehead and move it forward. %OY:

Make the sign for "'irl" by first making the

sign for "female" & thumb traces (awbone from near your ear to your chin. )hen indicate the height of the girl with palm down. *ant more info+ #ee ',-.

Marriage
)he sign for "marriage" is made by clasping both hands comfortably together. "or right&handed people the right hand should be on top of the left hand.

H/#%!0 :

*,"1:

Okay, let me show you a "compound" way to sign "*,"1." ,nstead of signing "',-. 2 M!--,!'1" , simply bring a modified "3" handshape down from my chin. , consider this to be a better way to sign *,"1 because it is more efficient. )he sign for H/#%!0 also can be "compounded" and uses a modified "3" as the starting and ending handshape. *,"1:

Tip: think of a couple (oining hands at their wedding.

Brother & Sister

%rother:

%rother: 4ariation: Here is a variation of the sign for "brother." )his sign is made by first signing "male" or "boy" as if you were grabbing a cap. 0e5t, bring both inde5 fingers together in front of you. )he second half of this sign 6two inde5 fingers close together, pointing forward7 actually means "#!M1." Memory aid: %OY 2 #!M1 8 %-O)H1-: )hink of two boys from the same family.

#ister:

#ister: 4ariation: Here is a variation of the sign for "sister." ,t is made by first touching your cheek with the thumb of your right hand, as when signing "female." 0e5t, bring both inde5 fingers together in front of you. )he first part of this sign, if signed by itself means "girl" or "female." )he second part means same. Memory aid: ',-. 2 #!M1 8 #,#)1-. )hink of two girls in the same family.

Tip: think that the boy and girl come from the same family.

Grandmother & Grandfather

)he sign for "grandmother" is made by
touching your chin with the thumb of your right hand, as when signing "mother." )he right hand should be open. 0ow, move your hand forward in two small arches.

)he sign for "grandfather" is made by touching your forehead with the thumb of your right hand, as when signing "father."
)he right hand should be open. 0ow, move your hand forward in two small arches. Here$s a view of "grandfather" from the front:

0ote: )he signs for grandmother and grandfather can make two arcs, or they can (ust move forward straight out from the forehead about eight inches.

Tip: think of the double hand movement as referring to an older generation.

Aunt & Uncle

)he sign for "aunt" is made by first shaping

the right hand to form the letter "!." Hold your hand close to your right cheek. "rom the wrist, shake your hand slightly back and forth.

)he sign for "uncle" is made by first

shaping the right hand to form the letter "/." Hold your hand close to your right temple. "rom the wrist, shake your hand slightly back and forth.

0ote: there is another way to sign "!/0)" and "/03.1." ,nstead of twisting the sign back and forth, you can draw a little circle in the air with either an "!" or a "/."

/03.1:

Tip: think of the initial for "!unt" or "/ncle" ne5t to the female or male&related sign position. 0otice how most male signs 6boy, man, uncle, father, brother...7 are near the forehead or "brain" area&&which is to say, where the thinking occurs, but most female&related signs 6mother, sister, aunt7 are near the mouth where the talking occurs+ , pointed this out to my wife and she e5plained it to me: "Men think they know what they are talking about, women really do."

Baby
!lso see: !/'H)1- and #O0

)he sign for "baby" is made by placing both arms together as if holding an infant. )hen gently rock your arms back and forth. Tip: think of holding a baby in your arms.

4ariation: #ome people place the right hand over the left hand 6both palms up7 and use an up and down motion 6as if comforting a crying baby7.

Single
)he sign for "single" is made by holding the
right arm in front of you, palm up. Your right inde5 finger makes circular motions about the si9e of a :uarter. )he movement is in your shoulder and elbow, not in your wrist. !nother way to sign "single" as in: ,$m not married.

#ingle, alone, somebody, something:

only, only one, (ust...

4ariation of #,0'.1: )his sign means "single" as in "not married." )his is an "initiali9ed sign." #ome people say it isn$t !#.. #ee discussion below for more info.

Divorce and Separate

)he sign for "divorce" is made by first forming the letter "d" with both hands.
Hold both hands together with knuckles touching and palms facing each other. *ith a twisting motion, move both hands outward and sideways so both palms face forward.

)he sign for "separate" or "apart" is made

by touching both hands together at the knuckles. )he hands should both be bent. 0ow, move the hands away from each other.

Tip: think of two ob(ects or two people that were once together as now being apart.

Home

)he sign for "home" is made by bringing

your fingers and thumb together and touching your cheek at the side of your mouth. )hen move your hand an inch or two toward your ear and touch your cheek again.

HOM1:

Tip: think of the place where you eat and sleep.

,f you do this sign with a " " it means "dorm."

Wor

)he sign for "work" is made by shaping

both hands into the letter "s." *ith your palms facing downward, tap your left wrist or the back of your hand a few times with your right wrist.

Here is a variation:

Tip: think of working with a hammer.

School
Note: Also see: Deaf School Sign: #3HOO. Other meanings: "!cademic" Handshape: rela5ed ";" hands Location: 0ormal signing area in front of the body Orientation: -ight hand faces down. .eft hand faces up. Movement: 3lap the hands together twice. 6 o it :uietly. 0o need to make noise. uh.7

Tip: think of a teacher clapping her hands to get the student$s attention.

Store
)he sign for "store" is made by bending
both wrists and pointing both hands down.
(The fingertips swing forward and back a couple times.)

<ivot both of your hands toward and away from your body. /se a double motion. ,f you use a single motion, this sign means "sell." ,$ve noticed though, that :uite a few signers use the single motion to mean "store" and use the double motion to mean, "selling." )his is opposite the "noun=verb pair" principle. #o, even though , still teach that the "right" way to sign "store" is with a double motion, , also encourage my students to be fle5ible in the "real world."

!hurch

)he sign for "church" is made by forming

the letter "c" with the right hand. 3lose your left hand. <lace the thumb of your right hand on the back of your left hand.

4ariation: )ap the thumb of your right "3" hand on the back of your left fist. -epeat. 0ote: the movement is up and down, not circular. 3ompare this sign with "computer."

!ome & Go

3OM1: /ses a single :uick movement:

Here is another variation of the sign for "come." )his is a somewhat more "1nglish" version of the sign. 3OM1:

Make the sign for "come" by pointing both inde5

fingers toward each other. -otate both fingers around one another. Move both hands toward your body. 'O:

Make the sign for "go" by pointing both inde5

fingers toward each other. -otate both fingers around one another. Move both hands away from your body.

Here is another way to sign "'O." 0otice the single, :uick movement:

0ote: "or both signs, some people use a sweeping arc motion instead of a rotating
motion. 0ow, here is a sign ,$ve noticed during my travels: ,t means: "Hey man, let$s (am."

"3ome&on." )his is a common gesture as in "3ome&on let$s go."

!ar"Drive
)he sign for "car" or "drive" is made by
using both hands in a closed position. Move both hands as if controlling a steering wheel. )o differentiate between "car" and "drive," sign "car" smaller and "drive" larger. rive can also be modified by using a "forward and back" movement, and various facial e5pressions.

#n & $ut

Make the sign for "in" by closing the fingers of the right
hand. "orm the left hand into a "c." <lace the right hand fingers into the left hand.

Make the sign for "out" by placing the fingers of your

right hand into a left "3" handshape. <ull your right hand "out" of the left hand.

With
)he sign *,)H can be modified to mean many different things. *hen you put the "!" hands together, it means "*,)H" in general. ,f you hold the "!" hands together and then make a sweeping hori9ontal circle 6while keeping them together&&looks like you are stirring a witch$s brew on Halloween7 it means ")O'1)H1-."

)he sign for "*,)H" is made by forming

the letter "a" with both hands. <lace both your hands together, palms facing.

Day
!Y: 4ersion >: )he sign for "day" is made by holding your left arm in front of you, palm down, pointing right. Your left hand can be in either a "flat handshape" or an "inde5 finger handshape." Your right hand can be either an "inde5 finger" a " &hand" or a "%& palm=flat hand." -est your right elbow on the back of the left hand. Your right arm should point up. Move your right arm across your body, the hand tracing an arc while keeping the right elbow on or very near the back of the left hand.

0ote: advanced signers often do very abbreviated versions of signs. "or e5ample, they may do the sign for day with the tips of the fingers of left hand touching the midpoint of the right forearm instead of resting the right elbow on the back of the left hand.

!Y: 4ersion ? 0ote: You can use a "flat hand" 6this is also sometimes called a "b&palm"7 instead of an inde5 finger.

)here are many variations to this sign@ "or e5ample, to sign "all&day," start this sign with your right "flat hand" further to the right prior to moving your right arm.

%ight
)he sign for "night" is made by holding your left arm hori9ontally, palm down and pointing right.
<ut your right wrist on the back of your left hand, right&fingertips pointing down. 0,'H):

141-Y&0,'H):

Wee
)he sign for "week" is made by moving
your right hand forward over the left palm. )he inde5 finger of the right hand is e5tended.

Month
)he sign for "month" is made by pointing
upward with your left inde5 finger. )he palm of the left hand should face right. )he palm of the right hand should face back, 6or down7. )race the right inde5 finger from the top to the bottom of the left inde5 finger. -epeat a couple times if you wish to sign "monthly," "every&month," or "rent." MO0)H:

141-Y&MO0)H:

.ast month 6a combination of "past" and month."7

01A) MO0)H:

#,A MO0)H#:

&ear
!lso see: !dvanced discussion Y1!-: Bannually, last&year, ne5t&year, numerical incorporationC Y1!-: )he sign for "year" is made by forming both hands into the letter "#." -otate the right hand completely around the left. )he right hand should come to rest on top of the left. -epeat as needed for "years." Discussion: KC: I could not visuali e !"ear!. Dr#icars: $old "our left !%! hand in front of "our bell" or chest a foot or so out& then hold the right !%! hand above

the left. Then move the right forward& then down then back& then up and finall" back to the starting place& having made a circle around the left !%! hand. Think of the earth circling the sun in one "ear's time. That help( KC: )h& I had it sidewa"s& thanks. Dr#icars: *lease not that the more !casual! wa" of signing this concept holds the right hand above the left hand and does a ver" +uick& small rotating movement but the right hand sta"s above the left hand and doesn't actuall" circle the left hand. It comes to rest upon the top of the left hand. Y1!-:

'uture
)he sign for "future" is made by
holding your right hand close to the right temple or cheek with your palm facing left. Move your hand forward. )he further you move your hand, the more time into the future. )his sign can also mean "*,.." as in, "*ill you go 6to7 college+" #ometimes you$ll see a double arch movement which means "someday" or "far in the future."

"ar in the future:

.ater dude:

(ast

)he sign for "past" is made by moving

your right hand over your right shoulder. Your palm should face your body. )he more emphasis you give the motion indicates the amount of time into the past.

"before" "last" as in "last night" previously

/se to be... ! while back... %ack when...

Once upon a time, long, long, ago...

Hey man, that$s ancient history@

%$W " the present " current " contemporary

)he sign for "now" is made by placing both of your hands in front of you in "Y"
handshapes. 1ach hand should be pointing upward. #harply drop both of your hands a short distance.

0ote: if you use a small bounce in this sign, it can mean ")O Or you can combine the sign "0O*" with "

!Y." !Y" to mean ")O !Y."

Here is an old version of "0O*" that you might still see in use in some parts of the world. 0ote the different handshape+ )his version is using "bent hands."

(ast

)he sign for "past" is made by moving

your right hand over your right shoulder. Your palm should face your body. )he more emphasis you give the motion indicates the amount of time into the past.

"before" "last" as in "last night" previously

/se to be... ! while back... %ack when...

Once upon a time, long, long, ago...

Hey man, that$s ancient history@

%$W " the present " current " contemporary

)he sign for "now" is made by placing both of your hands in front of you in "Y"
handshapes. 1ach hand should be pointing upward. #harply drop both of your hands a short distance.

0ote: if you use a small bounce in this sign, it can mean ")O Or you can combine the sign "0O*" with "

!Y." !Y" to mean ")O !Y."

Here is an old version of "0O*" that you might still see in use in some parts of the world. 0ote the different handshape+ )his version is using "bent hands."

'inish

",0,#H = over = done )he sign for "finish" is made by placing

both of your open hands in front of you. 1ach hand should face you, with your fingers pointing upward. )wist both hands :uickly a couple times ending with the palms pointing 6somewhat7 forward. You can also do this sign with (ust a single twist which makes it seem more "final."

Hot & !old

Make the sign for "hot" by forming the letter "c"
with the right hand. <lace your thumb and fingers at the sides of your mouth. Duickly turn your hand forward to the right.

Make the sign for "cold" by forming both hands

into the letter "s." Hold both hands in front of you and shake them.

(i))a
Opinions on the best sign for <,EE! are as varied as opinions on who makes the best pi99a in town and what toppings are the most delicious. )he fact is there are several popular variations for this sign. epending on where you live, a particular variation may be more popular than other variations. ,f someone doesn$t like your variation, do what , do...throw some pi99a crust at him or her. /m...wait, what , meant to say was, ask what variation they use. !fter a while you will get a feel for what works in your area.

4ariation >:
Here is a highly recogni9able sign that is easy to remember. You use a "P"

handshape to dra a "!" in the air.

)he tip of the inde5 finger is pointing toward the person to whom you are signing. 6,n most sign language dictionaries, unless it says or shows otherwise, you can assume the sign points toward the listener.7 0ote: #ome people might consider this to be an "1nglish&like sign." #ome people don$t even like pi99a either. 0o, really, ,$m serious. #top laughing@ ,t$s true@

4ariation ?:

Here is a variation that , don$t care for but find myself having to teach because many of my colleagues in this area of the world use it. )he sign looks as if you are shoving a piece of pi99a in your mouth. 6/se a repeated movement7. , don$t like it because it is a very awkward sign to produce, but many people in my area are adamant that it is the "right" sign to use.

.et$s get a side view on that so you can see the handshape better. -emember, use a repeated movement.

Mil
)he sign for "milk" is made by forming the
right hand into the letter "s." Open and close your hand, alternating between the letters "c" and "s."

Hamburger

)he sign for "hamburger" is made by

cupping your right hand on top of your left hand. 0ow reverse the position of both hands. Memory hint: )hink of forming hamburger into a "patty" so you can %%D it. :&7 Make sure to invite your !#. teacher to the %%D.

Hotdog
)he sign for "hotdog" is made by forming both hands into the letter "c." *hile moving your hands out to the side, change the handshapes to the letter "#" back to a "3" and to an "#" again.

)ip: think of making an old&fashioned string of

sausages.

*gg
)he sign for "egg" is made by forming both
hands into the letter "h." %ring your right middle finger down on top of your left. Move both hands down and out. !nother way to do this sign is to bring the right hand "h" down onto the left hand "h," then lift the right hand up an inch or so while bringing up the left hand a half&inch and then bring both hands down and apart. )his second version is soft of like "cracking and egg and then lifting the egg up a bit to break it apart into your pan.

Apple
)he sign for "apple" is made by closing your hand and placing the knuckle of your right inde5 finger against your cheek.
!t the same time, pivot the hand back and forth.

0ote: Many people use an "a" handshape

instead of the "5" handshape.

!heese
)he sign for "cheese" is made by bringing both hands together. -otate your right hand
back and forth. %tudent: I don't reall" understand how to sign cheese...like how to rotate( Dr #icars: ,ou rotate the heel of the right hand on the palm of the left back and forth as if tr"ing to press the moisture out of a piece of cheese that is within a piece of cheese cloth. The butt of the right hand sta"s on the palm of the left. The finger tips of the right hand swing back and forth right to left a couple times pivoting on the heel of the hand. The right hand fingers are rela-ed..spread out /ust a titch and bent a little. Does that help( %tudent: 0etter 1)

drin

)he sign for "drink" is made by forming

your right hand into the letter "c." Move the hand to your mouth in a short arc.

rink:

Spoon & 'or

Make the sign for "spoon" by forming the letter
"h" with the right hand. <lace your left palm facing upward. .ift the right hand from your left hand toward your mouth a few times. )he difference between "spoon" and "soup" depends on which person you ask. , personally differentiate between the two by making the sign for spoon a little faster and keep my right hand closer to the left hand. 6)he right doesn$t travel as close to the mouth when signing spoon as it does when sign soup7. *hen signing spoon , also tend to "drop" the bowl 6left hand7 after , ladle out of it twice with the spoon. *hat , mean is , hold the left hand in a cupping shape then , use the right inde5 and middle finger 6in a slightly curved "u" or "h" shape7 to represent the spoon. , scoop the "spoon" into the palm of my left hand twice and

then , immediately "drop=rela5" my left&hand while still holding the right hand for an e5tra moment or two. %y rela5ing the left hand but continuing to keep the right hand in the "spoon" shape it emphasi9es that ,$m talking about a spoon. "or the sign, "soup" , would keep the left hand "in the picture" until the end of the sign and , would also bring the "spoonful of soup" to within a couple inches of my mouth to emphasi9e the "soup" aspect of the sign.

Make the sign for "fork" by forming your right

hand into the letter "v." )urn your left palm upward. Move your right hand into your left palm a few times.

!up
)he sign for "cup" is made by forming your
right hand into the letter "c." <lace your right hand into your uplifted left palm. #ome people use a very small repeated movement. )his sign can also be used to mean "can" as in a container of food.

%O)).1 or '.!##: )his concept is a variation of "cup" that shows a larger shape. #uppose, for some reason, you needed to differentiate between a cup, a glass, and a bottle. You could sign: 3/<: using a small double motion that starts two inches off the palm, touches, comes up an inch then touches again. '.!## using a larger motion that starts on the palm, moves about F and a half inches off the palm, then moves back to the palm. %O)).1: using a larger motion that starts on the palm and moves about five inches up. ! variation of this sign is to change the handshape from a "3" to an "O" as you move it up.

!ereal
)he sign for "cereal" is made by placing your right inde5 finger & palm down & at the right corner of your mouth. *hile moving your hand to the left corner of your mouth, change the handshape into an "5." !lternate between the letter "5" and your straight inde5 finger a couple of times. )he movement is from right to left.

Water

)he sign for "water" is made by forming

your right hand into the letter "w." )ouch your mouth with your inde5 finger. -epeat a few times.

!andy +sugar, +cute,

3!0 Y: )wist the tip of your inde5 finger on your cheek.

!oo ie
The right (or dominant) hand is in a loose !C! handshape. ,ou bring the right hand down onto the left hand& then "ou lift up the right hand rotate it and bring it down again on the left hand.

)wist your right hand as if cutting out cookies from cookie dough. %tudent: Does cookie use a rotating letter C in the palm of the the opposite hand( Dr #icars: ,ou could use the letter !c! but I use a more rela-ed !claw t"pe! hand.

Hungry +-ish,
)he sign for "hungry" is made by forming
your right hand into the letter "c." Move your hand down the middle of your chest, starting under your throat.

0ote: )his is the same sign as the sign

" ish." #ome people start the sign for "wish" on the upper chest and prefer to start "hungry" from a slightly lower position. )hink of a "wish" coming from your heart, and hunger coming from your belly. %ut, again, it is okay to use the same sign for both concepts.

Shirt
)he way to sign "shirt" is by grabbing your shirt in the upper chest area & in the middle or slightly to the right & between your inde5 finger and thumb. )hen tug outward a few times. )he sign for shirt can be done with one hand or two. ,f you do it with one hand though it might sometimes be misunderstood to mean "volunteer." #H,-) = volunteer = apply

(ants
)he sign for "pants" is made by placing both of your hands in an open position (ust
below your waist. %ring both hands up to your waist. !s your hands come up, bend your knuckles and curl your fingers up a bit. <!0)# 64ersion >7 6/se a double movement.7

Soc s
)he sign for "socks" is made by pointing both of your inde5 fingers down. -ub the
fingers together a few times.

Shoes
)he sign for "shoes" is made by closing both hands, thumbs facing. 'ently strike your
hands together twice.

!oat
3O!): )he sign for "coat" is made by forming both hands into the letter "a." <lace both hands at the base of your neck. 0ow move both hands downward to your lower chest:

Under-ear
)he sign for "underwear" is made by
using the inde5 finger and thumb of each hand to trace the outline of your underwear. Your palms face backward. Your hand shape changes from an upside down "." to a closed "'."

/nderwear:

/nderwear:

%ra, or bikini top:

Wash
)he sign for "wash" is made by closing
both hands. Make a circular "scrubbing" movement with the hand that is on top&&as if washing something.

*ash in general:

Hurt " (ain

)he sign for "hurt" is made by e5tending
the inde5 fingers of both hands. %ring the fingers toward each other twice using a (abbing movement. ! variation of this sign is to do a t isting movement as you bring the tips of the inde5 fingers toward each other. )he right hand twists one way and the left hand twists the other. 0ote: %oth versions of the sign for "H/-) = <!,0" can be done on or near the part of the body that is feeling pain. "or e5ample if you have a toothache, you can indicate that in one sign by doing the sign "hurt" near the side of your (aw. ,f you have a headache, you can indicate it by signing "hurt" near your forehead. H/-) = <!,0 4ersion >: /se a twisting movement /se a single movement to indicate a process. !s in ",f you do that you will get hurt." /se a double movement to indicate a state. !s in, "He is in a lot of pain."

!nimation: hurt
/#1 "!3,!. 1A<-1##,O0 with this sign: 0ote: -emember, !#. is a language that depends heavily on facial e5pressions. ,f you are in "#1-,O/# <!,0" then you need to show it on your face.

4ersion ?: /se a double (abbing movement.

0ote: %oth versions of the sign for "H/-) = <!,0" can be done on or near the part of the body that is feeling pain. "or e5ample if you have a toothache, you can indicate that in one sign by doing the sign "hurt" near the side of your (aw. ,f you have a headache, you can indicate it by signing "hurt" near your forehead.

Bathroom

)he sign for "bathroom" is made by

forming the right hand into the letter "t." )he palm side is facing away from you. #hake your hand side to side a couple times. #ome people use a twisting movement instead of the side to side shake. 1ither is fine.

0ote: Here ,$m asking, " o you need to go to the bathroom+" 6! fre:uent :uestion in households with children and=or developmentally disabled folks.7

Brush teeth

)he sign for "brush teeth" is made by using

the inde5 finger of your right hand to brush your teeth using a side to side hori9ontal movement.

)11)H: 0ote: )he sign "teeth" is 0O) part of the sign "brush teeth."

Sleep
#ee: sleep&in

)he sign for "sleep" is made by opening your right hand and placing it in front of your face, palm toward you.
Move your hand downward toward your chin. *hile the hand is moving, bring your fingers together and touch them with your thumb.

#ide view:

%#!* and" or !.*A%

)he sign for "nice" or "clean" is made by

placing your left hand in front of you, palm up. Move the flat palm of your right hand across your left hand. #tart by the wrist and end at the fingertips. Heather: !re "3.1!0" and "0,31" the same sign+ Dr"ill: Yes, they are signed the same way. #omething to note though, if you want to sign "clean&up" as in "clean up your bedroom" you would use a double motion. 6-epeat the sign to mean: "cleaning, or clean&up."7

Happy
)he sign for "happy" is made by placing one or both of your hands in front of you. /se "flat" hands, palms pointing back. 3ircle your hands forward, down, back, up, forward, down, back, up. %oth hands move at the same time and in the same direction. On the upward swing the hands are very close to your chest or touch your chest. On the downward swing your hands are further away from your chest. 0ote: #ome people slightly "slap" the chest & other people don$t even touch. 0ote: uring casual everyday use this sign is sometimes done with (ust one hand. *hen used in the song "Happy %irthday to You" it is typically done with two hands.

Angry
)he sign for "angry" is made by forming
"claw" hands and placing your fingertips against your stomach. <ull both hands forcefully up and outward.

Memory hint: "!s if being so mad you

could rip your guts out." Sand#: "!ren$t the thumbs e5tended+" Dr"ill: *hen , sign !0'-Y, , notice , start with the fingers and thumbs of both hands in a "five" handshape. #o, yes the thumbs are e5tended at the beginning of this sign. )hen as , pull the sign up and slightly away from the body my fingers and thumbs fle5 more. )he fingers bend at the second and third knuckles but not at the first

knuckle 6large knuckles7. 41-Y ,M<O-)!0): /se an angry facial e5pression. "or more information see: "!ngry=Mad advanced discussion." !lso see: "M! "

Sad

)he sign for "sad" is made by placing both

hands in front of your face, palms in. %ring both of your hands down the length of your face. )ilt your head forward slightly, and make a sad face.

Sorry
)he sign for "sorry" is made by forming
either an "a" or an "s" with your right hand. -otate your hand over your heart in a few clockwise motions. )his sign can be used to mean "apologi9e" or "regret." #O--Y: /se a "sorry" facial e5pression and draw a circle on your chest with your right

! or # hand.

!ry
)he sign for "cry" is made by placing one
or both inde5 fingers under your eyes. %ring your fingers down over your cheeks a few times. Heather: ,$ve seen this with an alternating movement. Dr"ill: Yes. You$ll see lots of variation on this one. "or e5ample, using a "G& handshape" on each hand instead of (ust the "inde5 fingers" is a way of indicating that you are crying a lot. Or start with "#" handshapes and then suddenly move them downward and change them into "G&handshapes" with the fingers wiggling as you move the hands downward to indicate you are having a "ma(or bawl."

L$%& ' Don(t Li)e

.,H1: )his sign is used to mean "to en(oy or have an affinity for" someone or something. 0ote, this sign doesn(t mean "similar." 4ersion >:

0ote: ,n the above se:uence, the first picture is optional. Most of the time , start the sign a bit out from my chest with my middle finger and thumb pointing back toward my chest 6but not touching either my chest or each other7. )hen , move the hand forward while bringing the inde5 and thumb together. .,H1 4ersion > ends up in an "I" handshape. )his is how it looks to you at the end of the sign:

Heather: , saw a sign like this that used both hands+ Dr"ill: )hat would mean "interested" or "appreciate." .,H1: 64ersion ?7 !nother way to sign "like" is by placing both your right thumb and your inde5 finger close to your chest. 15tend your other fingers. !s you move your hand forward slightly, bring your thumb and inde5 finger together.

0ow, let$s suppose , were signing the sentence, "*hat do you like+" 0otice the wh& facial e5pression in the following e5ample:

O0$)&.,H1 )he sign for DON(T&.,H1. )his sign uses what is called "reversal of orientation for negation."

,f you mean .,H1 as in, "similar" as in the following sentence: ")his one is like=similar to that one," you should use a sign that means "same."

good and bad

!lso check out "*etter and *est."

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. %oth hands should be facing upward.

0ote: Often this sign is done itho+t the left

hand. *hen signed with the right hand only, this sign can mean, "thank you" or it can still mean "good." "or e5ample, when signing "good morning" , rarely use the left hand. H1!)H1-: ,$ve seen this sign off the chin instead of the lips. oes that change the meaning+ r%ill: 0o. ,t still means the same thing. H1!)H1-: How can , tell if they are saying ")hank you," or "'ood+" r%ill: %y the conte5t of the sentence. Or sometimes by lip movements. One slight difference between the signs "'OO " and ")H!0H YO/" is that the sign ")H!0H YO/" is "directional." )hat means it is signed toward the person whom is being thanked. 'OO is signed with a simple downward movement. , remember teaching a class to the co&workers of a deaf employee. *hen , taught this sign, the deaf employee insisted that "'OO " was off the lips and ")H!0H YO/" was off the chin. , (ust smiled and informed the students that they would see it both ways in the deaf community but when around their co&worker to sign it his way.

(Bad)
0ote: )he sign for "%! " is very similar to "'OO " e5cept there is a reversal of orientation for negation&&which means that by twisting the palm&side of the hand so that it points down 6instead of up&&as in the sign for good7 it now means the opposite of good. You also change your facial e5pression to match your meaning. 'enerally this is a frown or scowl when signing "%! ."

Make the sign for "%! " by placing the

fingers of your right hand against your lips. Move your hand down and away. Your palm will now be facing downward.

"AD:

*hen you get a moment, check out "better and best." !lso, you may want to see the sign: "'OO &10O/'H"

.ove
(Scroll down to see "HUG.")

Also, I recommend you check out the "I love you" acronym si n! I"#

)he sign for "love" is made by crossing

both hands over your heart. 6Middle of your chest.7 Your hands may be closed or open, but the palm side should face toward you.

#ee: ""all in love."

H/':
You can either use the "!" handshapes, like , do below, or you can grab onto the upper arms with "curved hands." /se a double movement.

"serious" H/'

0ote:

eaf people hug more than Hearing people do. ,t$s a cultural thing.

please
)he sign for "please" is made by placing your flat right hand over the center of your
chest. Move your hand in a clockwise motion 6from the observer$s point of view, use a circular motion towards your left, down, right, and back up7 a few times.

Heather: *hat does it mean if you do this with two hands+ Dr"ill: ,t means "en(oy" or a version of "appreciate." 0ote, during the sign for en(oy, the right hand is on the chest or an inch or so out from the chest. )he left hand is on the belly or an inch our so out from the belly. )he right hand moves in a clockwise circle 6from the viewer$s perspective7. )he left hand simultaneously moves in a counterclockwise motion. 10JOY:

*/cuse
0ote: compare with the sign for "0,31"

)he general sign for "e5cuse" is made by e5tending your left hand, palm up. %rush
your right bent&hand fingertips across the left palm starting with the pinky on your right hand. %end the large knuckles of the right hand slightly. Heep the other knuckles straight. )his sign when done with a double movement means things like "e5cuse me." ,f you roll your eyes and shake your head a bit it can be used to mean, "Oh that$s (ust an e5cuse." ,f you (ust use a single movement, it means things like "laid off from work," "released from a church calling," or "paroled."

1A3/#1: /se a small double movement:

.!, &O"" = -1.1!#1 "-OM /)Y = <!- O01 : /se a single, larger movement:

0han you
)he sign for "thank you" is made by starting with the fingers of your dominant hand near your lips. Your hand should be a "flat hand." Move your hand forward and a bit down in the direction of the person you are thanking. #mile. Memory aid: on$t pucker up, but imagine blowing a kiss to the person you are thanking. 0ote: ,f you use two hands with this sign it means you are "very" grateful. 0ote: )his sign can also be interpreted to mean "good." "or more information see the "good" page.

Help
)he sign for "help" is made by closing your
right hand. <lace your right hand on the outstretched palm of your left hand. -aise both hands.

0ote: Many people make this sign by placing the left "s" or "a" hand on the right "b" palm.

Who
*HO 64ersion >7 <lace the tip of the right thumb on their chin and e5tend the inde5 finger. )he inde5 finger is then "fl+ttered" up and down a couple times by bending and unbending it at the middle knuckle. Memory aid: )hink of your finger fluttering in the air that flows from your mouth when you say "who." 0otice, some people do this sign without touching the chin. )hey hold an "A" handshape in front of their chin=mouth and wiggle the inde5 finger up and down 6:uickly changing it from an fully bent A to a partially bent A a couple times7.

What
"or more information, also see: "!dvanced discussion about the concept: *H!)." )here is a facial e5pression that is sometimes called a "wh&:" e5pression. ,t is the type of facial e5pression you should use when asking :uestions that have an answer other than yes or no. 'enerally these :uestions start with the letters "wh" as do the signs ,HO, ,H!), ,H10, ,H1-1, ,HY...so you can see why we call this e5pression a "wh" :uestion e5pression. 15pressing the concept of "*H!)" has more to do with your facial e5pression than your hands. "or e5ample, if , pointed to my watch and used the "wh&:" facial e5pression it would mean that ,$m asking you "*hat time is it+" You$ve probably already used this sign many times in your life. *H!) 6main version7 ,n the picture below ,$m doing a general gesture for "what" while using the *H!) facial e5pression. Hold your rela5ed ";" hands in front of you. Hunch your shoulders a bit. Jut your head forward a bit. /se a *H&D 6wh&:uestion7 facial e5pression. )he hands move slightly forward and to the sides.

*H!): 6alternate version7 6not recommended7 Here is a variation of the sign "*H!)" that is made by e5tending your base hand outward. #tarting near the thumb, drag the tip of your inde5 finger downward, across your palm. 0ote: , don$t teach this sign in my "!#." classes. ,nstead , use the general version 6above7. %ut ,$ll show this other version to you so you$ll be able to recogni9e it if you see it. )his sign 6inde5 dragged across the palm7 is valid, but is a aste of time. ,magine yourself asking an old man 6deaf from old age7 what time it is. !fter he said "Huh+ #peak up@" You$d scrunch up your eyebrows and point to your watch while saying "*hat time is it+" He$d understand your body language and would tell you the time.

When
)he sign for "when" is made by holding
your left inde5 finger up. Your palm should face right. %ring the tip of your right inde5 finger near to the tip of your left inde5 finger. 3ircle the tip of your right inde5 finger in a clockwise motion around your left inde5 finger and end with the tip of the right inde5 finger touching the tip of the left finger. )he movement is in the wrist. Your arm doesn$t move much on this sign.

Where

)he sign for "where" is made using your inde5 finger. Hold your hand in front of you and "waggle" the finger side to side a couple of times. ,magine yourself looking at a map on the wall. You put your finger on the map and move your fingertip a bit to the left then a bit to the right as you try to finger out "where" you are on the map.

0otice the "furrowed eyebrows." )hey are part of the sign. You use "furrowed eyebrows" for all of the "wh&" :uestion types: *HO, *H10, *H1-1, *HY, *H,3H, "O-&"O-&6what&for7

Why
)he sign for "why" is made by touching
your forehead with the fingers of your dominant hand. 6Or (ust putting the hand near your forehead.7 *hile bringing your hand forward and down a bit, change it to the letter "y," keeping your palm facing you.

Here is another version of the sign, "*HY." 0otice the ending handshape+ )he inde5 finger isn$t bent. )he middle finger and sometimes both the middle finger and the ring finger "wiggle" a couple times.

hoHow: 4ersion >: "orm curved handshapes on both hands, palms down and=or slightly back. <lace your hands together with the knuckles touching. 6.ooks kind of like Mc onalds$ 'olden !rches.7 -oll the hands forward until the "arches" are upside down&&ending with your hands palm&up in "cupping" handshapes.

How: 4ersion ? 0ote: #ome people (ust roll one hand forward.

Stop
)he sign for "stop" is made by e5tending
your left hand, palm upward. #harply bring your open right hand down to your left hand at a right angle.

Big " .arge

%,' = .!-'1: 0otice in the sign below the "." hand inde5 fingers are bent+ )hat is a generic sign for "largeness" or the state of being big. ,f , use "normal" "." hands then the sign becomes an initiali9ed sign for ".!-'1."

)he larger you do the sign, the larger whatever you are talking about.

0ote: if something is "very" large, you might also use the mouth morpheme "3H!." You do this by mouthing = saying "cha" 6on your lips not out loud7 while doing the sign. %,': )he sign for "big" is made by forming the letter "b" with both of your hands in front of you, palms facing inward. Move both hands away from each other. Move your hands beyond the width of your body & the further the distance, the larger the word described. *hen you do this sign with a "%" handshape, you are using an initiali9ed sign. Many people consider this "#igned 1nglish" rather than !#.. %ut notice, , modify the "%" shape so that the thumbs are loosely alongside the palms and , curve the handshapes (ust a little bit.

.arge: ,f you use normal 6not modified or bent7 "." handshapes, then you are doing an "initiali9ed" version. )his sign is considered to be "#igned 1nglish" rather than !#.. 0ote: <alms face toward each other 6not out7.

0all

)he sign for "tall" is made by e5tending the

left hand, fingers up. <lace your right inde5 finger on the palm of your left hand, and move the finger in a straight upward motion.

)!..:

'ull

)he sign for "full" is made by e5tending the

left closed hand. Open your right hand and move it over the top of your left fist. 0ote: if you reverse the motion, this sign means "10O/'H"

"ull of food:

,$m fed

up with you@

,$ve had it up to here with you@

*mpty
)he sign for "empty" is made by placing
your left hand down. <ut your right middle finger on the back of your left hand. Move your right hand from your left wrist to beyond your knuckles.

More

Sign: MO-1 Handshape: %oth hands use a semi&flattened "o" Location: 0ormal signing space in front of the body Orientation: palms facing each other Movement: ,nward. %ring both "flattened&O" hands together.

You might see it done this way. )hat$s okay.

,f you want to say: "One more" you can do it this way: 0ote the inde5 finger is the only thing moving in the sign "one&more."

Blue
)he sign for "blue" is made by forming the
letter "b" with your right hand. )wist=shake your hand from the elbow 6the wrist doesn$t bend on this sign7.

Green
)he sign for "green" is made by forming the
letter "g" with your right hand. #hake your hand from the wrist, and move it to the right.

&ello)he sign for "yellow" is made by forming

the letter "y" with your right hand. #hake your hand from the wrist, and move it to the right.

1ed
)he sign for "red" is made by stroking your lips one time with the tip of your inde5
finger. )he sign can also be made by forming the letter "-" with your right hand&&but why+ )he "inde5 finger" version works (ust fine and means "red" without needing the more comple5 "-" handshape. )his is !#. && not "1nglish on the hands."

0otice in this e5ample how , change the "inde5" finger into an "5" hand+ Or you can (ust leave it as an inde5 finger. 1ither variation is fine. You will also see this sign done with a double motion.

Bro-n

)he sign for "brown" is made by forming

the letter "b" with your right hand. Move your right hand down the side of your right cheek. Your inde5 finger should be close to your face.

$range
)he sign for "orange," both the fruit and the
color, is made by forming the letter "c" and then "s." You "s:uee9e" your right hand in front of your mouth several times.

Gold & Silver

Make the sign for "gold" by placing your right inde5

finger on your right ear. !s you move your hand away from your ear, form the letter "y." #hake your hand. #ee the sign "3alifornia"

Make the sign for "silver" by placing your right

inde5 finger on your right ear. !s you move your hand away from your ear, form the letter "s." #hake your hand.

Dollars
Make the sign for "dollars" by e5tending your left hand,
palm to the right. 'rab your left fingers between the palm and fingers of your right hand. 4ersion > <ull your right hand away from your left hand.. On the sign for dollars, the right hand "slips off the left hand." The left hand sta#s in place. )his is different from the sign "lead." 6Meaning "guide"7 ,n the sign for

"lead" the right hand pulls the left hand forward. !lso, you might see the right hand grabbing the top edge of the left hand as in version ?. "or more information on this sign, check out: dollar 4ersion?

!ents
Make the sign for "cents" by touching your forehead
with the inde5 finger of your right hand, palm back 6which also happens to be a version of the sign for )H,0H7. <ull the hand away from your head 6forward and a little bit down7. )o sign nickel sign "310)# ",41" )o sign dime sign "310)# )10" )o sign "a :uarter" sign "310)# )*10)Y&",41"

!ost
)he sign for "cost" is made by e5tending
your left hand in front of you. *ith your crooked right inde5 finger, strike your left palm with a downward movement.

!at

)he sign for "cat" is made by forming your

hand into what , call an "open "." )his handshape looks like a normal """ e5cept that the inde5 finger and thumb are separated by about an inch. <lace the "open "" handshape near the bottom right of your nose and move it out to the right while changing from an "open "" handshape to a normal """ handshape 0O)1: )his sign uses (ust one hand for most everyday conversation. "or effect, , sometimes use two hands when signing stories to young children. 0O)1: )his sign can be done using a "'" handshape that starts near the bottom right of the nose and moves out to the right while changing from a normal "'" handshape to a "closed '" handshape

0ote: )he two&handed version of the sign 3!) is sometimes used in children$s storytelling and=or theater:

Dog

)o sign O', , recommend you (ust snap your fingers to spell the letters " '." )his is sort of an abbreviation of the word " &O&'."

0ote: )here are many different "right" ways to

do the sign for dog. ! 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, then slap your leg. You can slap your leg twice and not snap your fingers at all. Or you can (ust use "le5icali9ed fingerspelling." )o do this, you fingerspell the letters " " and "'" very :uickly and "snap" the middle finger on the base of the thumb as you change from the " " to the "'." 6)hat$s how , do the sign7.

bird
)he sign for "bird" is made by forming the
letter "g" with your right hand. <lace your hand at the right side of your mouth. Open and close the thumb and inde5 finger twice..

horse
)he sign for "horse" is made by forming the letter "u" 6or "h"7 with your right
hand. <lace your thumb on your right temple, or a little higher. %end and unbend your first two fingers a couple times. ,f you use all the fingers instead of (ust the inde5 and middle finger this sign means "donkey." ,f you sign "donkey" but only move the fingers from the upright position to the bent position 6one single, :uick motion7 and don$t move them back&&then you have signed "stubborn." &&)hink of how some animals bend their ears down when they are behaving stubbornly.

HO-#1:

co-

)he sign for "cow" is made by forming

your right hand into the letter "y." <lace your thumb against your temple. )wist your hand until your little finger points upward. -epeat the motion once.

0ote: , use two hands for this sign when ,$m telling stories to young children. Other than that , (ust use one hand.

Sheep
)he sign for "sheep" is made by forming the letter "v" with your right hand. Your left
forearm is e5tended with your hand closed, palm downward. <ut your right hand on top of your left, and move up the arm. Open and close your right fingers. 0O)1#: )his sign uses a double movement. %ring the right hand down onto the top of the left forearm, clip a bit of hair 6bring the inde5 and middle finger together7, then withdraw the right hand, open up the "scissors," bring your right hand down onto a spot slightly further up the left forearm and clip another swatch of imaginary hair from your imaginary sheep.

0ote: add the sign for "small" if you are talking about a lamb.

(ig

)he sign for "pig" is made by placing your

right flat hand under your chin, palm down. *ith your fingers pointing to the left, bend and unbend your hand several times from the knuckles. Your wrist should not move. )he fingers do not "wiggle." )hey bend and unbend from the large knuckles. ,f you "wiggle the fingers it means "dirty."

Bug

The sign for !bug! is made b" forming the number !2! with the right hand. Touch "our nose with the tip of "our thumb. 0end "our inde- and middle fingers twice.

Family . mom.dad& bo".girl& marriage& brother.sister& grandpa.grandma& aunt.uncle& bab"& single& divorced.separate Places . home& work& school& store& church& come.go& car3drive& in.out& with Time . da"& night& week& month& "ear& will.(future)& before.(in the past)& toda".(now)& finish.(!all done4!) Temperature . hot& cold Food . pi a& milk& hamburger& hot dog& egg& apple& cheese& drink& spoon& fork& cup& cereal& water& cand"& cookie& hungr" Clothes . shirt& pants& socks& shoes& coat& underwear Health . wash& hurt& bathroom& brush teeth& sleep& nice3clean Feelings . happ"& angr"& sad& sorr"& cr"& like& good.bad& love Requests . please& e-cuse& thank "ou& help& who& what& when& where& wh"& how& stop Amounts . big& tall& full& more Colors . blue& green& "ellow& red& brown& orange& gold 5 silver Money . dollars& cents& cost Animals . cat& dog& bird& horse& cow& sheep& pig& bug