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"

"Beginning and ending a thought"



The first sign is what you would use at the beginning and the second sign is what you would use at the end of a story or anecdote that you want to show as an internal thought or dream.


#

#APT



For this sign, you just sign A-P-T like it is shown. This is called lexicalized fingerspelling and it has become the sign for APARTMENT.


#BUS

This is the lexicalized version of BUS and is the more accepted ASL sign for this word.


#DOG



This is the lexicalized sign for DOG.


1

11 + 15 = 26


2

235 x 12 = 2,820


4

456 - 290 = 166


48 / 12 = 4


A

AC (air conditioner)


ACCOUNTANT


ACROSS


ACTOR


AFRICA


AFTER


AFTERNOON


AGAIN


AGE



Examples of how to sign ages can be found in the "Age Numbers" video above and in ASL 1 - Unit 12: More Numbers.


Age Numbers


AIRFORCE


AIRPLANE


ALGEBRA


ALL


ALL-DAY



You can see an example of ALL-DAY in the "Duration Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity


ALL-GONE


ALL-MORNING



You can see an example of ALL-MORNING in the "Duration Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity


ALL-NIGHT



You can see an example of ALL-NIGHT in the "Duration Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity


ALL-of-YOU

All of you



You can learn more about pronouns in Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar


ALL-RIGHT


ALWAYS


ANGRY


ANIMAL


ANNIVERSARY


ANNOYING


ANNUALLY



You can see an example of EVERY-YEAR (or ANNUAL/ANNUALLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. EVERY-YEAR is signed by taking both hands in fists, with your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant hand (like the beginning of the sign YEAR). Your dominant hand moves forward into the 1-handshape pointing out and back into the starting position twice.


ANTARCTICA


APARTMENT



For this sign, you just sign A-P-T like it is shown. This is called lexicalized fingerspelling and it has become the sign for APARTMENT.


APPLE



APPLE (2)



This is the initialized (English) version of the sign APPLE.


APPOINTMENT


ARCHITECT


Are you a student?



Here is the phrase "Are you a student?" in ASL. Notice the signs that are used in this phrase. This phrase is actually signed as: "YOU STUDENT YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).


Are you deaf?



This phrase is signed as: "YOU DEAF YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).


Are you hungry?



This phrase is signed as "YOU HUNGRY YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).


Are you learning sign language?



This phrase is signed as: "YOU LEARN SIGN?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).


Are you married?



This is signed as "YOU MARRIED YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).


Are your parents Deaf?



This phrase is signed as "YOUR PARENTS DEAF?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).


ARGUE



ARGUE (2)



ARGUE (3)



This sign is used to describe more of a "SPAT" type of argument.


ARMY


ARMY/MILITARY


ARRIVE


ARROGANT


ART


ARTIST


ASIA


ASK-you


ASL


ASL Alphabet (A-Z)


ASPIRIN


ASSISTANT


At the beach we wear sun block, sunglasses, and use an umbrella for safe skin health.


ATTIC


AUNT


AUSTRALIA


AUSTRIA


AUTUMN


AVERAGE


AWFUL


B

BABY


BACON


BAD


BALD


BALL


BANANA


BAND


BAR


BARK



This sign refers to a dog barking.


BASEBALL


BASEBALL PLAYER


BASEMENT


BASKETBALL


BASS


BATH


BATHROOM


BATHTUB


BEAR


BEARD


BEAUTIFUL


BED


BED REST


BEDROOM


BEDSPREAD


BEFORE


BELT


BEST


BIBLE


BICYCLE


BIOLOGY


BIRD


BIRTHDAY


BITE


BITTER


BLACK



This sign can be used for the color black as well as for an African American person.


BLANKET


BLINDS


BLOG


BLOW MONEY/SPEND MORE THAN SHOULD


BLOW-MONEY


BLUE


BLUETOOTH


BOAT


BOOK


BOOKSTORE


BORN


BOSS


BOTH


BOUNCED CHECK


BOWLING


BOY


BOYFRIEND


BRACELET


BREAD


BREAKFAST



Another way to sign BREAKFAST is to tap the B handshape on your chin.


BRICK


BRIGHT


BRING


BROKE (out of money)


BROKE IN


BROKE-UP


BROKEN


BROOM


BROTHER


BROWN


BRUSH


BRUSH-TEETH


BUDDHIST


BUILDING


BUS

This is #BUS - the lexicalized version of BUS and the more accepted ASL sign for this word.



BUS (2)



This is the initialized and more "Signed English" version of the sign #BUS.


BUSY


BUTTER


BUY


C

CABINET


CAFETERIA


CALENDAR


CAMERA


CAMPING


CAN


Can you (please) sign slower?



This phrase is signed as: "PLEASE SLOW".


Can you (please) sign that again?



This phrase is signed as: "PLEASE SIGN AGAIN".


Can you fingerspell that again?



This phrase is signed as: "FINGERSPELL AGAIN?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up). You can also add PLEASE to this phrase if you want.


Can you read lips?

This phrase is signed "YOU READ-LIPS YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).


CAN'T



An example of the sign CAN'T can be seen in the video above. He signs, "I can't sleep - I've been tossing and turning all night," and signs, "(SLEEP ME CAN'T)neg TOSS-TURN ALL-NIGHT."


CANADA


CANCEL


CANDLE


CANDY


CAR


CARDS


CARNIVAL


CARPENTER


CARROT


CAT


CEILING


CEILING FAN


CELL PHONE


CELLPHONE APP


CERAMICS


CHAIR


CHANGE



CHANGE (2)



This sign means CHANGE as in "coins."


CHEAP


CHEESE


CHEMISTRY


CHERRY


CHICKEN


CHILDREN


CHINA


CHINA/CHINESE


CHINESE


CHOIR


CHRISTIAN


CHRISTMAS


CHURCH


CL

You learn about Classifiers in ASL 2 - Unit 5

Spoken languages like English are linear--they are expressed one word after the other. ASL, however, is a spatial language and is expressed in the space around you. Classifiers create depth as well as add clarity, movement, and details to conversations and explanations.

Classifiers are written like this: CL:1 (person) "walking slow". The CL indicates that a classifier is being used, the 1 indicates the handshape, the parenthesis indicate what the classifier is representing, and the quotes indicate the inflection being used.

Here are some examples of handshapes and how they can be used for different types of classifiers:

asl classifiersasl classifiers

Classifiers are a very important part of ASL. There isn't a sign for every English word and classifiers are able to fill those gaps and create more visual clarity.


CLASS


CLASSROOM


CLEAN


CLOCK


CLOSE


CLOSET


CLOTHES


COFFEE


COFFEE TABLE


COKE (Coca Cola)


COLD


COLLEGE


COLOR



COLOR (2)



This is a different signer signing COLOR.


COMPETITION


COMPETITION/RACE


COMPLAIN


COMPUTER


CONFIDENT


CONSULTING


CONTINUE


COOK


COOKIE


CORRECTIONS


COUGH


Could you go to the store and pick me up a pink volleyball?


COUNTRY


COUSIN (female)


COUSIN (male)


COW


CRAMP


CRY


CURTAINS


CUTE


D

DAILY



You can see an example of EVERYDAY (or DAILY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. EVERYDAY is signed by making the A-handshape with your dominant hand and brushing your cheek twice with your knuckles. You are basically signing TOMORROW twice quickly.


DANCE


DARN


DATE


DAUGHTER


DAY


Days of the Week



This video starts with Monday and ends with Sunday.


DEAD


DEAF



This sign can be made by moving from your ear to your chin or from your chin to your ear.


DECIDE


DELICIOUS


DENTIST


DEPENDENT


DEPRESSED


DESERT


DESK


DIAPER


DIARRHEA


DICTIONARY


DIFFERENT



This sign is similar to the sign for "but."


DINING ROOM


DINNER



Another way to sign DINNER is to tap the D handshape on your chin.


DIRTY


DISAGREE


DISCARD (get rid of)


DISCUSS


DISCUSS/CONSULTING


DISHWASHER


DISORGANIZED



This is signed by signing ORGANIZED with the negative facial expression.



DISORGANIZED (2)


DIVERSITY


DIVORCE


DIZZY


Do you have children?



This is signed as "YOU HAVE CHILDREN?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).


Do you mind if I borrow your car?


DO-DO



This sign combines the signs WHAT and #DO to create WHAT-do or DO-DO and is used to ask questions like: "What are you doing?", "What do you do?", "What do I do?", or "Do what?"


DO-YOU-MIND



An example of DO-YOU-MIND can be seen in the video above. He asks, "Do you mind if I borrow your car?" and signs, "you-LOAN-me CAR, DO-YOU-MIND?" You can also see this sign in the image below:

DO YOU MIND


DOCTOR



DOCTOR (2)



This is the initialized sign for DOCTOR.


DOESN'T-MATTER


DOG



DOG (2)



This is #DOG - the lexicalized sign for DOG.


don't-CARE


don't-KNOW


don't-LIKE


don't-WANT


DONATE


DOOR


DOOR-OPEN



You can see an example of how to sign DOOR-OPEN in the "Noun/Verb Pairs" video above.


DORM


DOWN


DRAMA


DRAW



This sign is the same as the sign for "art" and "design."


DRAWER


DRAWING


DRESS


DRESSER


DRINK


DRIVE


DROP


DRUMS


DVD


E

EARLY


EARTHQUAKE


EAST


EASTER


EAT


EGGS


EGYPT


ELECTRICITY OUT


ELEMENTARY


ELEPHANT


ELEVATOR


EMERGENCY


Emergency! The tiger at the zoo got out of his cage and is hunting for food.


EMPTY


ENGAGED


ENGINE


ENGLAND


ENGLISH


ENJOY


ENTER


ENVELOPE


ENVIRONMENT


ERASER


ESCAPE


EUROPE


EVENING


Every morning I wake up happy because I sleep all night.


EVERY-AFTERNOON



You can see an example of EVERY-AFTERNOON in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.


EVERY-EVENING



You can see an example of EVERY-EVENING in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.


EVERY-MONDAY



You can see an example of EVERY-MONDAY in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.


EVERY-MONTH



You can see an example of EVERY-MONTH (or MONTHLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.


EVERY-MORNING



You can see an example of EVERY-MORNING in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. You can also see EVERY-MORNING in the image below:

EVERY MORNING


EVERY-NIGHT



You can see an example of EVERY-AFTERNOON in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.


EVERY-WEEK



You can see an example of EVERY-WEEK (or WEEKLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.


EVERY-YEAR



You can see an example of EVERY-YEAR (or ANNUAL/ANNUALLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. EVERY-YEAR is signed by taking both hands in fists, with your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant hand (like the beginning of the sign YEAR). Your dominant hand moves forward into the 1-handshape pointing out and back into the starting position twice.


EVERYDAY



You can see an example of EVERYDAY (or DAILY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. EVERYDAY is signed by making the A-handshape with your dominant hand and brushing your cheek twice with your knuckles. You are basically signing TOMORROW twice quickly.


EXAMINE


EXCHANGE


EXCITED


Excuse me



This is the sign for "EXCUSE-ME" in ASL.


Excuse me I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have an important message.


EXERCISE


EXPENSIVE


F

FABRIC


FALL IN LOVE


FALL-DOWN


fall-in-LOVE


FAMILY


FAMILY ROOM


FAMOUS


FAR


FARM


FAST


FAT


FATHER


FAVORITE



You can see an example of FAVORITE in the video above. He says, "Once a week in May my grandfather watches his favorite television show," and signs, "ONCE-A-WEEK fs-MAY MY GRANDFATHER WATCH HIS FAVORITE TV SHOW."


FENCE


FEW


FEWER


FIGHT


FILE


FINALLY


FIND


FINE



FINE (2)



This is a different signer signing FINE.


FINISH


FINISH FINISH



This sign is normally used to mean "already" or "all done."


FINLAND


FINLAND/FINNISH


FINNISH


FIRED


FIREMAN


FIREPLACE


FIRST


FISH


FISHING


FIX


FLOOD


FLOOR


FLOWER


FOG


FOLDERS


FOOD


FOOTBALL


For this job you will need to check your email and clean your computer once a month.


FOREST


FORGET


FRANCE


FRANCE/FRENCH


FRECKLES


FREEWAY


FREEZER


FRENCH


FRIDAY


FRIEND


FRIENDLY


FRONT


FRONT DOOR


FRUIT


FULL


FURNITURE


FUTURE


G

GAIN WEIGHT


GAME


GARAGE


GARDENING


GAS


GERMAN


GERMANY


Germany makes the best cars for winter weather and they handle well in the snow.


GERMANY/GERMAN


GET-ALONG


GET-UP


GIFT


GIRAFFE


GIRL


GIRLFRIEND


GIVE

This is the sign for GIVE as it is used for "GIVE-you" or "Give to you." GIVE is a directional verb, so it can be modified to show who is giving what to whom. You can learn more about directional verbs in ASL 1 - Unit 8.


GIVE BLOOD


GIVE-you


GLASS


GLASSES



GLASSES (2)

GLASSES (3)



This sign is referring to glasses for drinking.


GLOBAL WARMING


GLUE


GO


GO AHEAD


GO-IN


GO-IN/ENTER


GO-to



This is the sign for GO meaning to go somewhere. GO can be directional and point to an area you have set up in your signing space.


GOD


GOING STEADY


GOLF


GONE


GOOD


Good afternoon



This phrase is signed as "GOOD AFTERNOON"


Good morning



This is signed as "GOOD MORNING". This phrase can also be signed more fluidly where your non-dominant hand is only used for MORNING (your dominant hand moves directly from your chin down to sign MORNING).


Goodbye



This is the sign for "BYE" in ASL.


Goodnight



This phrase is signed as "GOOD NIGHT."


GOSSIP


GOVERNMENT


GRADUATE


GRANDDAUGHTER


GRANDFATHER


GRANDMOTHER


GRANDSON


GRAPES


GRAY


GREECE


GREECE/GREEK


GREEK


GREEN


GREEN BEANS


GROSS


GROW-UP


GUITAR


GYMNASTICS


H

HAIR


HAIR (long)


HAIR (short-men)


HAIR (short)


HAIR-long


HAIR-short


HALLOWEEN


HALLWAY


HAMBURGER


HAMMER


HANDSOME


HANNUKAH


HAPPY


HARD


HAT


HAVE


HE

HE

This sign is part of indexing in ASL. You need to describe who you are talking about before using an index sign. You can learn more about pronouns and indexing in ASL 1 - Unit 7 and in Chapter 6 of Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar.


He replaced all his Spanish DVDs with Blu-ray discs.


He went to use the ATM so he could pay off debt he owed to the government.


HEADACHE


HEADPHONES


HEALTH


HEARING


HEIGHT


Hello



This is the sign for HELLO in ASL.


HELP


HER

HER

This is a pronoun showing possession. This sign is part of indexing in ASL. You need to describe who you are talking about before using an index sign. You can learn more about pronouns and indexing in ASL 1 - Unit 7 and in Chapter 6 of Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar.


Her car is black and has a loud engine.



(HER BLACK CAR)top LOUD ENGINE (2h)CL:5(show engine rumbling down road)


Her grandson is my daughter's friend.


Her least favorite person got laid off from his job at Taco Bell.



CL:1(index left) MAN CL:1(index right) WOMAN HE ANNOY-HER HE RECENT LAID-OFF WHERE? fs-TACO-BELL. SHE "YES!"


HERE


HIGH-SCHOOL


HIKING


HIM

HIM

This sign is part of indexing in ASL. You need to describe who you are talking about before using an index sign. You can learn more about pronouns and indexing in ASL 1 - Unit 7 and in Chapter 6 of Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar.


HIS

HIS

This is a pronoun showing possession. This sign is part of indexing in ASL. You need to describe who you are talking about before using an index sign. You can learn more about pronouns and indexing in ASL 1 - Unit 7 and in Chapter 6 of Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar.


His brother was born with freckles and a lot of hair.


HISTORY


HOCKEY


Hockey is the best sport to watch live.


HOME


HOMEWORK


HORSE


HOSPITAL


HOT


HOTDOG


HOUR



If you shape your dominant hand into a number between 1-9, your sign will become "2 hours,""3 hours,""4 hours," etc. If you want to use a number higher than 9, first sign the number, then sign HOUR.


HOUSE


HOW



This sign for HOW is used in sentences like, "How are you?"



HOW (2)



This sign for HOW is used in sentences like, "How do you fix this?"


How are you?



This phrase is signed as: "HOW YOU?" with the wh-word question facial expression (eyebrows down).



How are you? (2)



This is a different signer signing "How are you?" This phrase is signed as: "HOW YOU?" with the wh-word question facial expression (eyebrows down).


How did you get here?



This phrase is signed as "YOU ARRIVE HERE HOW?" with the wh-word question facial expression (eyebrows down).


How did you lose your hearing?



This is signed as "BECOME DEAF HOW YOU?" with the wh-word question facial expression (eyebrows down).


How do you get to your daughters High School from the show?


How do you wash your laundry and make your bed?


How long have the two of them been engaged?


How many siblings do you have?



This is signed as "HOW-MANY BROTHERS SISTERS YOU HOW-MANY?" with the wh-word facial expression (eyebrows down).


How much does it cost?


How old are you?



This phrase is signed as "HOW-OLD YOU?" with the wh-word question facial expression (eyebrows down). HOW-OLD is signed by signing OLD twice.


How was your weekend?


HOW-MANY



The sign HOW-MANY can be used to ask "How many?" or "How much?" You can see an example of this sign in the phrase video above. In the video, she asks, "How many siblings do you have?" and signs, "HOW-MANY BROTHERS SISTERS YOU HOW-MANY?"


HOW-OLD



An example of HOW-OLD can be seen in the video above. She asks, "How old are you?" and signs, "HOW-OLD YOU?" with the wh-word question facial expression (eyebrows down). HOW-OLD is signed by signing OLD twice.


HUG


HUMBLE


HUNGRY


HUNTING


HURRY


HURT



This can be signed over the part of the body that hurts.


HUSBAND


I

I


I am 20 years old.



This is signed as "I AGE 20". You learn more about signing ages in ASL 1 - Unit 12.


I am a college student and I am majoring in biology.


I am extremely hungry, I could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner right now!


I am not married.



This is signed as "I NOT MARRIED" with the negation facial expression (shaking your head).


I can't sleep. I've been tossing and turning all night.


I don't feel good. I feel lousy.


I don't like football but I do like race car driving shows on Thursdays evenings.


I don't mind that you borrow the car, but would you mind filling the gas tank?


I don't understand.



This is signed as "I UNDERSTAND" with the negative facial expression. The sign DON'T is already implied with the facial expression, so it does not need to be signed.


I don't want to listen to rap music as it makes me vomit.


I feel OK.



This is signed as "I FEEL OK".


I feel sick with a sore throat and an annoying headache.


I feel tired.



This is signed as "I FEEL TIRED"


I feel wonderful.



This is signed as "I FEEL WONDERFUL"


I have 1 brother and 2 sisters.



This phrase is signed as: "I BROTHER 1, SISTER 2". Christine also shifts her body during this phrase, which indicates comparing.


I have 3 children.



This is signed as "I CHILDREN 3."


I have a question.



This phrase is signed as "I QUESTION" with an inquisitive facial expression.


I have an ugly dog that barks at night.


I have to go home.



This is signed as: "HOME I NEED GO".


I moved to New York around 1998.


I need to fix my roof after this last rain storm.


I put a camera on the top of my front door entrance.


I took the bus to get to class.



This phrase is signed as "I RIDE BUS ARRIVE CLASS". This sign for BUS is more English-based, but is used often. Another way to sign BUS is the lexicalized version #BUS. You can see an example of #BUS in the conversation in ASL 1 - Unit 5.


I want to introduce you to my friend Julie.


I'll be right back.



This phrase uses a classifier and is signed as "I CL:1(me)"go" CL:1(me)"come back"". Christine uses the 1-handshape to show herself leaving and then returning.


I'm studying to be an interpreter.



This phrase is signed as a rhetorical question: "I STUDY WHY? BECOME INTERPRETER". The first part of the phrase uses the yes/no facial expression (eyebrows up) and the second part uses an affirmative facial expression.


I'm taking ASL classes.



This phrase is signed as "I TAKE-up ASL CLASS". This sign for TAKE is different from the sign you would use to indicate that you took (or got) something (i.e. TAKE-from).


I/ME


ICE CREAM


ICE SKATING


ICE-CREAM


IMAGINE


IMPORTANT


IMPROVE


IN


INCOME


INCREASE IN VALUE


INDEPENDENT


INDIA


INDIA/INDIAN


INDIAN



This sign is referring to people from India.



INDIAN (2)



This sign is referring to native Americans.


INDIAN/NATIVE AMERICAN


INFANTRY


INFORM


INHERITANCE


INTEREST


Interesting.



This is the sign for "INTERESTING", which can be signed using various facial expressions to create a phrase. In this video, Christine uses a facial expression to indicate that something is very interesting.


INTERNET


INTERSECTION


INVENT


INVENT/IMAGINE


INVEST


IRAN


IRAQ


IRELAND


IRELAND/IRISH


IRISH


IRON


Is that right?


Is that true?


Is there a chair under your desk or is it in the dining room?


Is your hotel near the junior high school or behind the library?


ISRAEL


ISRAEL/JEWISH


IT

IT

This sign is part of indexing in ASL. You need to describe who you are talking about before using an index sign. You can learn more about pronouns and indexing in ASL 1 - Unit 7 and in Chapter 6 of Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar.


ITALIAN


ITALY


ITALY/ITALIAN


ITCHY


ITS

ITS

This is a pronoun showing possession. This sign is part of indexing in ASL. You need to describe who you are talking about before using an index sign. You can learn more about pronouns and indexing in ASL 1 - Unit 7 and in Chapter 6 of Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar.


J

JACKET


JAIL


JAIL/PRISON


JAM


JANITOR


JAPAN


JAPAN/JAPANESE


JAPANESE


JEALOUS


JESUS


JEWISH


JOB


JUNIOR-HIGH-SCHOOL


K

KEEP PAYING


KETCHUP


KEY


KEYBOARD


KILLED


KING


KISS


KISS-FIST

KISS-FIST is a very common ASL sign that means "love." However, this is different from the sign LOVE in that KISS-FIST is normally used to mean "love something" instead of "love someone." For example, you might sign, "t(MY FATHER) KISS-FIST HIS CAR" to mean "My dad loves his car."

To make the KISS-FIST, sign you just kiss the back of the fist of your dominant hand and move it slightly and quickly away from your face.

KISS FIST SIGN


KITCHEN


KNOW


KOREA


L

LAID OFF


LAMP


LANDLORD


LAPTOP


LARGE


LAST


LAST-WEEK

You can see an example of LAST-WEEK in the image below:


LAST WEEK

LAST/PAST


LATE


LAUNDRY


LAW


LAWYER


LAZY


LEADER


LEAK


LEARN


LEAVE


LEFT (direction)


LEMON


LETTUCE


LIBRARIAN


LIBRARY


LICK FACE


LIE


LIGHT



This sign is used for the word "light" meaning a lamp or something that gives off light.


LIGHT-OFF

To sign LIGHT-OFF, hold both your hands up in a 5 handshape, palms down with wrists bent downward. This is a classifier to represent "lights." Then, keeping your hands up, close your fingers (bring your fingertips together) to show the lights turning off. You can also do this with one hand to show one light.

LIGHT OFF


LIKE


LIMIT


LION


LISTEN


LIVING ROOM


LOAN-me



An example of LOAN-me can be seen in the video above. He asks, "Do you mind if I borrow your car?" and signs, "LOAN-me CAR, DO-YOU-MIND?"


LOCK


LONGER THAN


LOSE



As in "lose a game."


LOSE WEIGHT


LOST


LOUD


LOUSY


LOVE


LUNCH



Another way to sign LUNCH is to tap the L handshape on your chin.


M

MAD


MAD/ANGRY


MAGAZINE


MAILMAN


MAJOR (in college)


MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS


MAN


MANAGER


MANUFACTURER


MANY


MARRIED


MARRY


MARTIAL ARTS


MATCHES


MATH


ME


me-GIVE-you


MEAN


MEAT


MECHANIC


MEDICINE


MEDICINE EAR DROPS


MEDICINE OINTMENT


MEDICINE PILLS


MEDICINE SYRUP


MEDIUM


MEETING


MESSY


METAL


MEXICAN


MEXICO


MEXICO/MEXICAN


MICROWAVE


MIDDLE SCHOOL


MIDNIGHT


MILITARY


MILK


MINE


MINUTE



If you shape your dominant hand into a number between 1-9, your sign will become "2 minutes,""3 minutes,""4 minutes," etc. If you want to use a number higher than 9, first sign the number, then sign MINUTE.


MIRROR


MONDAY


Money Numbers


MONKEY


MONTH



If you shape your dominant hand into a number between 1-9, your sign will become "2 months,""3 months,""4 months," etc. If you want to use a number higher than 9, first sign the number, then sign MONTH.


MONTHLY



You can see an example of EVERY-MONTH (or MONTHLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.


Months of the Year


MOON


MORE


MORE THAN


MORNING


MOST


MOTHER


MOTORCYCLE


MOUNTAINS


MOVE


MOVIE


MOWING THE LAWN


MUG


MUSCULAR


MUSHROOM


MUSIC


MUSLIM


MUST


MUSTACHE


MY


My aunt lost her way through New York City while looking for the Yankee stadium.


My cat is fat and lazy and she smells like fish.



MY CAT (nd)CL:3(3 list) (first)THICK (second)LAZY (third)SMELL SAME-AS FISH


My cell phone can email, send text messages, and check voicemails.


My father is a janitor at her son's university.


My garage needs new wood because of the flood.


My house is having a new dishwasher and two new toilets installed.



(MY HOUSE)top RENOVATE NEW (shift left) INSTALL DISHWASHER (shift right) CL:1(index right) NEW TWO TOILETS


My landlord is spraying my apartment for bugs on Tuesday.


My mom is nice but my dad is strict.



(shift left) (MY MOM)top (NICE)aff (shift right) (DAD)top STRICT


My name is Deborah (name sign).



The phrase is signed here as: "MY NAME D-E-B-O-R-A-H (name-sign)". This is used as an example. Deborah fingerspelled her name first and then gave her name sign, which is the D-handshape moving in a curl downward from her head to indicate curly hair. You can learn more about Name Signs in ASL 1 - Unit 3.


My roommate is thin, smart and great at drawing.


My uncle doesn't want his kitchen table anymore and will sell it cheap.


MY/MINE


N

NAME

NAME

The sign NAME is formed with two H handshapes and tapping your dominant hand on your non-dominant hand twice in front of you.


NATIVE AMERICAN

This sign is referring to native Americans.


NAVY


NEAR


NECKLACE


NEED


NEIGHBOR


NEIGHBORHOOD


NEPHEW


NERVOUS


NEVER


NEW YEARS


Next year I am going with my family to Washington DC to meet with Senator Morris and his wife.


NICE


Nice to meet you.



The phrase is signed here as: "NICE MEET YOU." This phrase can also be signed as "NICE MEET" with MEET signed with the back of your dominant hand facing you and the back of your non-dominant hand facing the person you are meeting. When MEET is signed directionally this way, signing YOU is not necessary.


NIECE


NIGHT


NIGHT/EVENING


NIT-WIT


NO



This sign for "no" is used to answer yes/no questions. This sign is NOT used in sentences like, "There are no more cookies left."


NO-WAY


No, I'm not deaf, I'm hearing.



This phrase is signed as "NO DEAF, I HEARING" with the first part signed with a negative facial expression and the second part signed with an affirmative facial expression.


NONE



This sign is used in sentences like "There are no more cookies left" in place of the "no."


NOON


NORTH


NORTH AMERICA


NORTH POLE


NOSY


NOT



This sign is used in sentences like, "My mom is not a hockey fan."


NOT ALLOWED


not-FINE


NOT-YET


NOW


Numbers (2-Digit and Multiples of 10 and 11)


Numbers 1-10


Numbers 100+


Numbers 11-20


Numbers 21-30


NURSE


NUTS


O

OCEAN


OFF

This sign refers to "off" as in "Get off the couch." Another way to sign this is the lexicalized #OFF sign. For turning off lights, for example, you would use the LIGHT-OFF sign with both hands in a 5 handshape palms facing down and moving to an AND handshape to show lights turning off.


OFFICE


OFTEN


OK


OLD


ON


ON LEFT WALL


ON RIGHT WALL


ONCE A MONTH


ONCE A WEEK


Once a week in May my grandfather watches his favorite television show.


Once upon a time


One year after we bought our house our daughter was born.


ONION


ONLINE SHOPPING


OPEN


OPPRESSION


ORANGE


Ordinal Numbers



These are numbers that show the order of something (for example: winners in a race). Numbers 1st-9th are shown by forming the handshape of the number and twisting the wrist. Every number after 9th is shown by the number + fingerspelling T-H. Even though English gives a number such as 22 an "nd" ending to make 22nd, all numbers after 9th in ASL use "T-H" afterward.

1st-9th = NUMBER + (Wrist Twist)
9th+ = NUMBER + T-H


ORGANIZED


OUR

OUR

This is a plural pronoun showing possession. This sign is part of indexing in ASL. You need to describe who you are talking about before using an index sign. You can learn more about pronouns and indexing in ASL 1 - Unit 7 and in Chapter 6 of Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar.


OUT


OUTSIDE


OVEN


OWE


P

PAINTING


PANTS


PAPER


PARADE


PARK


PARKING LOT


PARTY


PASS


PAST


PATIENT


PAY


PAY FOR EXPENSE WITH LARGE SUM


PAY OFF DEBT


PAY-OFF


PAYCHECK


PEACH


PENSION


PEPPER


PET


PHOTO ALBUM


PHOTOGRAPHER


PHOTOGRAPHY


PHYSICS


PIANO


PICKUP


PICTURE


PICTURE FRAME


PILLOW


PINEAPPLE


PINK


PIZZA


PLAINS


PLANT


PLASTIC


PLAY



PLAY (2)

This sign is referring to a play performance.


PLAY/SHOW

This sign is referring to a performance.


PLAYGROUND


PLEASE


POETRY


POINT


POLICEMAN


PORCH


POTATO


POWERFUL


PRACTICE


PRACTICE/TRAINING


PREGNANT


PRESIDENT


PREVENT


PRISON


PROGRAM


PROMOTION


PSYCHOLOGY


PUERTO RICO


PURPLE


PURSE


PUT ON MAKEUP


Q

QUEEN


QUIET


R

RACE


RADIO


RAIN


RAINFOREST


RAKING


RASH


RAT


RE-ARRANGE


READ


RECEIVE A LOT OF MONEY


RECEIVE JOB OFFER


RECOVER


RED


REFRIGERATOR


RELIEVED


RELIGION


RENOVATING


REPLACE


RESTAURANT


RETIRE


RICH


RIGHT



This sign is used for the word "right" meaning "correct."


RIGHT (direction)


RING


ROCK


ROCKING CHAIR


ROOF


ROOM


ROOMMATE


RUBBER


RUDE


RUG


RUN


RUNNY-NOSE


RUSSIA


RUSSIA/RUSSIAN


RUSSIAN


S

SAD


SALT


SANDWICH


SATURDAY


SAVINGS


SCARED


SCHOOL


SCIENCE


Science is the most important subject after language studies.


SCIENTIST


SCISSORS


SCOTLAND


SCREWDRIVER


SEARCHING


SEASON


SECOND


SECRETARY


SEE



The sign SEE can be seen in the video above. She says, "See you later," and signs, "SEE-you LATER." The sign SEE is formed by taking the middle finger of the V handshape to your cheekbone and moving it slightly away from you. You move the sign toward the person you are talking to or toward the object of your sentence.


See you later.



This phrase is signed as: "SEE-YOU LATER." The sign SEE moves toward the person you are talking to. The sign LATER is made by taking the L-handshape and moving your wrist from palm-forward to palm-down (it refers to the hands moving on a clock).


SENTENCE


SERVICE


SEWING


SHAVE


SHE

SHE

This sign is part of indexing in ASL. You need to describe who you are talking about before using an index sign. You can learn more about pronouns and indexing in ASL 1 - Unit 7 and in Chapter 6 of Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar.


She is very good at math but her brother is a star baseball player at his private school.


SHEETS


SHELVES


SHIRT


SHIRT (plaid)


SHIRT (v-neck)


SHOES


SHOPPING


SHORT


SHORTS


SHOW



SHOW (2)

This sign is referring to a performance.


SHOWER


SHY


SIBLINGS


SICK


SICK-OF


SIGN



This sign refers to sign language or signing, not a sign like a stop sign.


SIGN LANGUAGE


SILLY


SING


SINGLE


SINK