The American Sign Language Starter: A Beginner's Guide

1. Classroom Vocabulary

Classroom Vocabulary 1 14 Handshape: A Orientation: palm left Location: lips Movement: move thumb down to chin sorry, apologize, regret, remorse, repent Handshape: A Orientation: palm in Location: center of chest Movement: circle hand on chest Nonmanual signal: head and eyes lowered; “sad” expression attitude Handshape: A Orientation: palm left Location: below left shoulder Movement: make small circular movement , ending with thumb on chest pride, proud Handshape: Open A Orientation: palm down Location: lower chest Movement: slide thumb up chest Nonmanual signal: shoulders thrust back; erect posture lecture, oration, presentation, speech, testimony Handshape: Open B Orientation: palm left Location: near head Movement: shake hand forward and back from wrist several times hello, hi, greet Handshape: B Orientation: palm left Location: forehead Movement: move hand forward and tilt fingers forward Nonmanual signal: head tilts back; smile patient, bear, long-suffering, patience, stand, tolerance, withstand 15 Classroom Vocabulary thank you, thanks Handshape: Open B Orientation: palm in Location: mouth Movement: move hand forward Nonmanual signal: head bows; smile Europe Handshape: E Orientation: palm in Location: near forehead Movement: move hand in small circle please, appreciate, enjoy Handshape: Open B Orientation: palm in Location: palm on chest Movement: make small circles on chest Nonmanual signal: smile no Handshape: Open N > Flattened O Orientation: palm out Location: neutral space Movement: close fingers sharply to thumb Nonmanual signal: head shakes “no” thus, therefore Handshape: Baby O Orientation: palm out Location: neutral space Movement: draw top part of a triangle point, period Handshape: Baby O Orientation: palm out Location: neutral space Movement: sharply bend wrist forward 16 Classroom Vocabulary rest room, railroad Handshape: R Orientation: palm down Location: neutral space Movement: arc hand from left to right yes Handshape: S Orientation: palm out Location: neutral space Movement: bend wrist down twice Nonmanual signal: slight nod of head up and down respect Handshape: R Orientation: palm in Location: fingertips on forehead Movement: arc hand out and up Nonmanual signal: head slowly lifts up toilet, bathroom, rest room Handshape: T Orientation: palm out Location: neutral space Movement: shake hand slightly side to side china, glass Handshape: X Orientation: palm in Location: mouth Movement: tap index finger against front teeth twice scissors Handshape: V > H Orientation: palm in Location: neutral space Movement: close and open fingers several times 17 Classroom Vocabulary error, wrong (SM); mistake, incorrect (DM) Handshape: Y Orientation: palm in Location: chin Movement: hit knuckles against chin Nonmanual signal: mouth open; tongue protruding noise, noisy (compound: hear + vibrate) Handshape: 1 > 5 : 5 Orientation: right palm in; left palm down Location: right index finger on ear; left hand in neutral space Movement: move right hand down, even with left hand, and shake both hands absolute, actual, certain, genuine, indeed, real, sure, true Handshape: 1 Orientation: palm left Location: chin Movement: move hand straight out spell, alphabet, fingerspell Handshape: 5 Orientation: palm down Location: neutral space Movement: move hand in small circles while randomly wiggling fingers clever, bright, intelligent, smart Handshape: Open 8 Orientation: palm in Location: forehead Movement: swing hand around, ending palm out Nonmanual signal: head tilts up and to the right memorize Handshape: Bent 5 > S Orientation: palm left Location: forehead Movement: move hand out to the right, closing to S handshape Nonmanual signal: lips taut 18 Handshape: Open B : Open B Orientation: palms down, index fingers touching Location: neutral space Movement: separate hands floor Classroom Vocabulary dollar Handshape: A : Open B Orientation: right palm down, right hand gripping top of left hand; left palm in Location: neutral space Movement: slide right hand along left hand quiet, calm Handshape: B : B Orientation: right palm left; left palm right; hands crossed Location: mouth Movement: arc hands down and apart, ending with palms down Nonmanual signal: lips taut help, aid, assist, benefit, rehabilitate Handshape: Open A : Open B Orientation: right palm left, hand on left hand; left palm up Location: neutral space Movement: lift right hand up with left hand Nonmanual signal: “earnest” expression window, open window Handshape: B : B Orientation: palms in; edge of right hand on left index finger Location: neutral space Movement: move right hand up and down open door (SM); door (DM) Handshape: B : B Orientation: palms out, index fingers touching Location: neutral space Movement: arc right hand back, ending with palm left 19 Classroom Vocabulary attention, concentrate, focus, pay attention Handshape: Open B : Open B Orientation: palms facing Location...