Lesson 1

Question 1

What is deaf?

Answer 1

Handshape: index finger
Location: Starting location: In general it starts on the cheek near the ear but occasionally you will see it start near the mouth (on the cheek). Ending location: On the cheek near the mouth.
Orientation: If done with the right hand, the right palm can face either left or somewhat forward.
Movement: Small arc.
Variation: If you do this sign while puffing out the cheek, with a larger arc it means, “Deaf, and proud of it!”
Description: Touch your finger on your cheek near your ear, then move your finger in a small arch and touch it near the mouth. Remember, start and end the sign on the cheek. Do not do it on the ear or mouth, but rather near them.

Question 2

What is learn?

Answer 2

The sign for “learn” sort of looks like you are trying to grab information from the page of a book and stuff it into your head.

Question 3

What is Student?

Answer 3

Right hand on left. Move up to head. Hand down, parallel.

Question 4

What is like? As in I like this, NOT like, totally!

Answer 4

I start the sign a bit out from my chest with my middle finger and thumb pointing back toward my chest (but not touching either my chest or each other). Then I move the hand forward while bringing the index and thumb together.

Question 5

What is Again? /repeat / re- / over /

Answer 5

Handshape: Right hand = “bent-hand” Left hand = “flat hand”
Location: Neutral signing area in front of the body
Palm Orientation: Right hand = starts facing up or at a “10 o’clock” position. Left hand = varies: palm up, palm right, or “neutral 2 o’clock position”
Movement: Right hand moves in an arc until the fingertips touch the left palm.
Non-Manual Marker: neutral

Question 6

What is meaning/purpose/intent?

Answer 6

Left hand: vertical

Right hand: peace sign horizontal then vertical.

Question 7

What is meet?

Answer 7

2 index fingers “meet” in the middle.

Question 8

What is name?

Answer 8

Handshape: “H” handshape on both hands.
Movement: Tends to be a double movement (but a single movement is also common).
Non-Manual Marker: In general this uses a neutral facial expression. In the sentence “What is your name?” signed as NAME YOU? (Wh-question expression) you furrow the eyebrows and tilt the head forward a bit.

Question 9

What is nice?

Answer 9

The sign for “nice” or “clean” is made by placing your left hand in front of you, palm up and moving the flat palm of your right hand across your left hand. (If you are right handed).

“Nice to meet you.”

Question 10

What is no?

Answer 10

Pinch with 2 fingers. Sometimes a shake of the head.

Question 11

What is sign?

Answer 11

Form both hands into “1” hand shapes. Then draw a couple of large circles in the air with the tip of each index finger. The movement for each hand is: up, back, down, forward, and so on in an alternating circular movement. As if pedaling a bicycle backwards. Both hands move at the same time. When the right hand is up, the left hand is down. When the right hand is forward, the left hand is back.

Question 12

What is slow?

Answer 12

To sign “slow,” slide the dominant hand (right hand if you are right handed) up the non-dominant forearm a short distance–starting at the back of the base (left) hand. You only need to go a few inches.
Usage note: If you do this sign “very fast” it means “very slow.” If you start the sign and hold it in place for a moment, then roll your eyes and then finish it quickly it means very, very slow.

Question 13

What is Teach?

Answer 13

The sign starts near your head and moves out. Imagine taking information from your head and putting it into someone else’s head.

Question 14

What is teacher?

Answer 14

: The sign for “teacher” combines one quick movement for TEACH and then does the flat-handed version of the “PERSON” sign.

The sign TEACHER starts with both hands held up near the head in somewhat “flattened O” handshapes.
Then both hands move forward about six inches. Then they change into “flat hands” (like “B” handshapes with the thumb alongside–not draped over the palm) and move downward to show a version of the PERSON sign. Thus you have a combination of TEACH + PERSON = teacher. Memory aid: Take information from your head and put it in the other person’s head.

Question 15

What is thank you?

Answer 15

The 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. Smile (so they’ll know you mean it).

Question 16

What is understand?

Answer 16

Hand near head. Index finger up.

Question 17

What is huh/what?

Answer 17

Handshape: Both right and left hands in a “five” handshape. Fingers and thumb spread, relaxed, (not straight)
Location: Mid-torso, in front of you, a foot or so apart from each other.
Orientation: You palms are facing up.
Movement: Each hand moves horizontally outward and back in a couple of times. The movement is only a couple of inches at most.
Non-Manual Marker: “wh” furrowed eyebrows.

Interpretations: Used for the general concept of “what.”
Example: EAT HUH? = “What do you want to eat?”

Inflections: A larger movement could indicate exasperation as in, “What now!?!?”
Can be signed with one hand as a casual way of saying “hmmm?” As in, “What did you need?” or “What can I do for you?” –in response to someone’s having gotten your attention.

Question 18

What is where?

Answer 18

The sign for “where” is made using your index finger. Hold your hand in front of you and “waggle” the finger side to side a couple of times. Imagine 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.

Question 19

What is who?

Answer 19

A good general variation is to place the tip of your thumb on your chin with your index finger extended. Bend your index finger twice.

Question 20

What is why?

Answer 20

The sign for “why” is made by touching (or coming near) your forehead with the fingers of your dominant hand then while bringing your hand forward and down , change it to the letter “y,” keeping your palm facing you.

Question 21

What is Yes?

Answer 21

The sign for “yes” uses an “S” hand.

YES:

Memory aid: Think of the fist hand as representing your head. When you raise and lower your fist, bending at the wrist it represents your head nodding “yes.”