MEDICAL
LIBRARY
HN
24-75.
C 58
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Roy L. Cissna
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ſeasosary ed




basic
sign
language

Roy L. Cissna
© Roy CissNA 1963
Printed in the United States of America
By
Missouri Baptist Press
Jefferson City, Mo.
C O N T E N T S
A Few Words From the writer ---------------------------5
Why Learn the Sign Language? -------------------------- 5
Why Interpret in Church? ------------------------------- 6
Qualifications of an Interpreter in a Southern Baptist Church__6
A Word of Thanks ------------------------------------- 6
Some Suggestions on Using This Book ____________________ 7
Manual Alphabet –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8
Basic Hand Positions -----------------------------------9
Vocabulary --------------------------------------- 11-143
Numbers --------------------------------------- 145-146
A FEW WORDS FROM THE WRITER:
You are perhaps wondering why another "sign language book" or
"manual of signs" has been produced ?
Language has always been the key that unlocks the door of intel-
ligent communication between two or more people. This door has often
been closed between the deaf and hearing. Many hearing have not made
the effort to meet the deaf and learn the sign language. Many deaf have
not had the desire or patience to teach their hearing acquaintances the
sign language. And then, there has not been a manual of signs that was
simple to understand and easy to use as a reference for both teacher and
student.
This book makes no attempt at listing all the signs and their varia-
tions. Rather it gives a basic vocabulary in alphabetical order. As
such, it makes an ideal reference book for both teacher and pupil. Any
person following the descriptions given in this book will have no diffi-
culty in being understood any place in the United States.
The writer produced this book mainly to fill the need for such a
book to be used in the more than 1,800 Baptist churches in Missouri.
We are most happy, however, for any person to use this book who feels
it will help them open the door of communication with the deaf.
WHY LEARN THE SIG/N LANGUAGE 2
1. You may only be fascinated by this language that has a charm
and appeal no spoken language possesses.
2. You may be the parent of a deaf child and want to learn to talk
with him. One deaf child told her father she knew he loved her
because "you learned the sign language so you could talk to me".
3. You may be a member of a church and want the deaf to share in
the worship experiences of your church.
4. You may be a social or welfare worker that has deaf clients.
5. You may be preparing to become a teacher of the deaf.
Whatever your reason -- stay with it. YOU have the key that can
unlock doors of ignorance, walls of prejudice, and gates to warm
friendships.
WHY INTERPRIET IN CHURCH 2
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you."
If Christ is your Saviour and you are obedient to His command---
YOU have your reason and your commission to become an interpreter
for the deaf in your church.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AN INTERPRETER IN A
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH P
1. Shall be a member of a Southern Baptist Church.
2. Shall be one who supports his pastor, church, association
and state convention.
3. Shall be one who has dedicated his time, talents and possessions
to God.
4. Shall be one who has a record of active and faithful cooperation
and service in his church.
5. Shall be free from sub-Christian attitudes and conduct which
will dwarf their Christian witness.
6. Shall be capable of working as a member of a team and of mak-
ing a contribution to team spirit and efficiency.
>k >k >k >|< >k >k >k >k >k >k >< x < *;
A WORD OF THANKS
I want to express my thanks to the many deaf and hearing who
encouraged me in producing this book; to Rev. Glen Prock, my first
sign language teacher; to Bill Goble and Roger Falberg for their manu-
script evaluation; to Rev. C. F. Landon and Rev. Leslie Gunn who have
been an inspiration to me; to my wife and two daughters, a special
thanks, for -- "be quiet, Daddy is trying to work."
But most especially, I want to thank God for life eternal that He
gave to me through His son, Jesus Christ, my Lord.


Page Missing
in Original
Volume




Page Missing
in Original
Volume


DESCRIPTIVE HAND POSITIONS
Left open hand (palm
is toward body
with tips up).
index finger position on
right hand (tip up, palm
toward body).
Right angle position on left
hand (tips right, thumb-side
toward body).
The above hand positions are descriptive of those used in
this book. The important thing to remember is: open hand
position, right angle position, and index finger position.
When a description calls for an A hand, or Y hand, or K
hand, etc., make that letter with the hand given in the descrip-
tion. i.e., Right A hand, palm left, thumb-side up.
The hand positions were drawn by Annetta Carr.



– 9 –
º A º
ABILITY, CAN, POSSIBLE – Both S hands, palms down; move hands
downward in strong motion.
ABOUT - Left AND hand, tips pointing right; index finger position on
right hand palm toward body, tip left; tip of right index finger
circles left AND hand several times, out, down, in and up.
ABOVE, OVER - Both open hands, palms down; right hand moves coun-
ter-clockwise above left hand.
ABSENT, GONE – Left C hand, palm right, thumb-index side up; right
5 hand, tips up, palm toward body; place wrist of right hand in
left C hand; right hand changes into an AND hand as it is pulled
downward out of the left hand.
ABSURD, FOOLISH, SILLY - Right Y hand, palm left, thumb pointing
toward head; swing right hand in front of face from right to left.
ACCEPT - Both 5 hands, palms down, tips forward, are held in front
of body; pull hands to chest while closing them into AND hands.
ACCOMPANY - Make signs for GO, WITH.
ACHE - See PAIN.
ACROSS - Left open hand, palm down, tips right, right open hand, tips
forward, palm left; little finger edge of right hand is pushed across
the back of left hand. -
ACTION - See DO.
ADD (meaning TOTAL) - Left AND hand, tips down; right AND hand,
tips up; right AND hand is held beneath the left AND hand and then
moved up so tips of both hands meet.
ADD ( meaning INCREASE) - See INCREASE.
ADMIRE - See LIKE (meaning PLEASED).
ADMIT, CONFESS - Both 5 hands, palms toward body, tips down, held
near heart; pull both hands upward as if taking something out of the
heart, then hold both hands, palms up, in front of body as if show-
ing what was taken from heart.
ADVANCE - Right angle position on both hands, tips pointing toward
each other, thumb side toward body; move hands upward to show
advancement; if advancement is in stages, move hands upward in
short movements.
ADVICE – Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right AND hand, palm
down, tips forward; place right hand on back of left hand; move
right hand forward a couple inches as it opens into a 5 hand; repeat.
- 1 1 -
AFRAID, FEAR - Both 5 hands, palms toward body, tips facing; right,” “
hand moved between left hand and body while face shows fear.
AFRICA - Tip of middle finger of right hand, palm toward face, draws
small circle in front of nose then touches end of nose.
AFTER (meaning FROM NOW ON, HENCEFORTH, ETC.) - Left open
hand, palm toward body, tips right; place palm of right hand, tips
toward left, against back of left hand, move right hand forward and
away from left hand.
AFTER (meaning LATER IN TIME) - See ACROSS. \
AFTER AWHILE, LATER - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward;
tip of thumb of right L hand, palm down, touched to left palm; twist
right hand so index finger points down.
AGAIN - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; right angle position
on right hand, tips left; tips of right hand are touched to left palm.
AGAINST - Sign for AGAIN, but do it with force.
AGE - When meaning age of a person, make sign for OLD.
AGO - See PAST.
AGREE – Sign for THINK then sign for SAM E.
AHEAD - Both A hands, palms facing; thumb side on top; right A hand
noved forward in front of left A hand.
AID, BBCNEFIT, HELP - Left open hand, palm up, tips right; right S
hand, palm left, is placed in left palm; raise both hands showing
left helping right.
AIM, GOAL, OBJECTIVE - Index finger position on left hand which is
held out before body, tip up, palm toward body; index finger position
on right hand; tip of right index touches forehead then moves out to-
ward left until tips touch.
AIR PLANE - Right Y hand, palm down, index finger extended, push
hand forward initating airplane in flight.
ALL, WHOLE – Left open hand, palm toward body, tips right; right open
hand, palm forward, tips left; right hand circles left hand, forward,
down, in, up, ending with back of right hand in left palm.
ALL RIGHT, O.K. – Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right open
hand, palm left, tips forward; place little finger edge of right hand
in left palm; move right hand forward in straight line toward tips
of left hand.
ALLOW, LET, PERMIT - Both open hands, palms facing, tips down;
move both hands forward with tips swinging forward and upward.
- 12 -
AISMOST - Right angle position on left hand, palm up; right open hand,
tips forward, palm left; palm of right hand is rubbed upward length
of back of left hand and then moves on up, two or three inches above
left hand.
ALONE – Index finger of right hand, pointing up, palm toward body;
make small horizontal circles.
ALTAR - Make signs for TABLE and KNEEL.
ALTER - See CHANGE.
ALWAYS – Index finger position on right hand, palm up, tip forward;
draw large clockwise circle.
AM - See IS.
AMEN - Both open hands, palms together, tips up; bend fingers of left
hand forming an A hand; drape fingers of right hand over knuckles
of left A hand; close eyes and bow head.
AMERICA – Interlock fingers of both 5 hands, palms facing, fingers
extended, tips forward; he els of hands separated; move hands hori-
zontally in a circle.
AMONG - Left 5 hand, palm toward body, tips up; index finger of right
hand, palm toward body, tip down; move right index finger in and
out annong the left fingers.
AND - Right 5 hand, palm toward body, tips left, held near left side of
body; pull hand to right while tips of fingers come together.
AND THEN - Left L hand, palm right, index finger pointing forward;
index finger position on right hand palm toward body; touch tip of
right index finger first to tip of left thumb then to end of left index
finger.
ANGEL - Place fingertips on shoulders; then move hands forward and
outward in flapping motion. Shows wings in motion.
ANGRY, MAD - Both 5 hands, palms toward body, tips down; bend
fingers slightly; touch tips to stomach and pull hands upward as if
tearing the clothes.
ANIMAL – Right angle position on both hands, palms toward body,
thumb side up; touch tips of both hands to respective sides of chest;
with tips remaining in place, move backs of both toward each other
several times.
ANNOUNCE, PROCLAIM - Index finger position on both hands, palms
toward face, tips facing; touch tips of index fingers to lips; swing
both hands forward and outward.
- 13 -
ANOTHER, OTHER - Right 10 hand, palm down, thumb pointing left;
twist hand so that palm is up and thumb pointing right (similar to
thumbing a ride).
ANSWER, REPLY - Index finger position on both hands; palms toward
face, tips up; left-hand held in front of and slightly to left of face;
tip of right index touching lips; twist both hands so tips point for-
ward with palms down.
ANY - A position on right hand, palm left, thumb up; draw small
question mark in the air.
APOSTLES - See DISCIPLES.
APPEAR, SEEM, LOOK - Right angle position on right hand, tips for-
ward, held in front of right shoulder; twist hand so tips point to-
ward face.
APPLAUD, CONGRATULATE, PRAISE - Left open hand, palm up, tips
pointing forward and upward; right open hand, palm down, is clap-
ped in left palm.
APPLE - Twist knuckle of index finger of right S hand into right cheek.
APPLY, ATTENTION, CONCENTRATE - Both open hands, palms fac-
ing, tips up; place hands at respective sides of face so thumbs touch
cheeks; move both hands forward and down so tips point forward.
APIPOINTMENT -
1. Left S hand, palm down; right E hand, palm down; draw
small horizontal circle over back of left hand with right hand ending
with right wrist on back of left wrist; shows your hands are "bound"
for the appointment.
2. Index finger of left hand pointing upward, palm forward;
right V fingers, tips forward, palm down, is struck downward over
left index finger so they straddle it.
APPROACH - Make same sign as for NEAR.
ARCHERY - Innitate shooting an arrow.
ARE - See IS.
ARGUE, DEBATE - Make sign for DISCUSS alternately in the left and
right palms.
ARISE, GET UP, RESURRECTION - Left open hand, palm up, tips
right; right V hand, palm up, tips forward; back of right hand is
placed in left palm, then make sign for STAND.
ARITHMETIC, MULTIPLY - Both V hands, palms up, tips forward;
swing both hands toward each other sg back of right hand rubs across
palm side of left hand, repeat several times.
– 14 –
AROUND - Left AND hand, tips up; index finger position on right hand,
tip down; rotate right index finger around left AND hand.
ARRANGE, PLAN, PREPARE - Both open hands, palms facing, tips
forward, thumbs pointing up, hands about eight inches apart; move
both hands to 1eft a few inches, stop; then move hands farther to
left, stop; do this three or four times.
AR REST, CATCH – Left S hand, palm right, thumb-index finger side
up; right 5 hand, palm down, tips forward; right hand brought down
on top of left hand closing into A hand.
ARRIVE - Both open hands, palms toward body, tips facing; right hand
held between left hand and body; as both hands move forward and
slightly upward, back of right hand comes to rest in left palm.
AS - Make sign for LIKE (meaning SAME #1), then move hands slightly
toward right and make LIKE again.
ASCENSION - Make sign for ARISE; then raise right hand upward, tips
of right V still pointing downward.
ASHAMED, BASHFUL, SHY, TIMID - Right angle position on both hand
tips pointing down, thumbs toward body; touch back of fingers to
respective cheeks; twist hands so tips face back toward body; move
hands forward a few inches from face.
ASK - Both open hands, palms facing and touching, tips up, held out in
front of face; pull both hands back toward the face.
ASSEMBLE, GATHER, MEETING - Both 5 hands, palms facing, tips
forward; as hands move toward each other, the fingers close into
AND hands and tips of both AND hands touch; repeat two or three
times.
ASSEMBLY OF GOD - Right A hand, palm toward left, thumb side up;
place nail side of right thumb to forehead; then sign GOD.
ASTONISH, SURPRISE - Right S hand, palm toward face; touch knuckle
of thumb to side of face near right eye; left hand does same to left
side; now flip both index fingers so they open and point up; shows
eyes opening in surprise.
AT - Left open hand, palm forward, tips up; right open hand, palm down
tips forward; move right hand forward so tips touch back of left hand
ATTENTION - See APPLY.
ATTRACT - See ENTICE (Meaning to pull, attract, etc.).
AUNT - Right A hand, palm toward body, shaken near chin.
AUTHORITY, CONTROL, DIRECT, MANAGE, REIGN, RULE - Both A
hands, palms facing, thumb side up; both hands moved back and
forth as if driving a team of horses.
- I 5 -
AWFUL, DREADFUL, FEARFUL, TERRIBLE - With right hand at .
right temple and left at left temple, make sign for HATE with
both hands; flip middle fingers upward.
(NOTES)
- 16 -
– 17 -
+*-º-º:
- B -
BABY - Right hand, palm up, placed in crook of left arm as if holding
and rocking a baby to sleep. f
BAD - Touch tips of right open hand, palm toward face, tips up, to
lips; then twist hand forward and downward as if throwing some-
thing to the floor. {
BANANA - Left AND hand, tips up; with right hand pretend to peel a
banana held in the left hand.
BANNER - See FLAG.
BAPTISM - Make sign for BAPTIST; then left hand changes to an open
hand, palm down, tips right; then right 10 hand, palm left, moves
forward under, and out past left hand; then right hand makes sign
for WATER. 2. '
BAPTIST - Both 10 hands, palms facing, thumbs up; twist hands toward
right, then back up; shows person being baptized.
BARE, NAKED - Middle finger of right hand, palm down, rubbed in
circular motion on back of left hand, palm down.
BARN – Make signs for ANIMAL and HOUSE.
BASEBALL – Innitate batting a ball.
BASHIFUL - See ASHAMED.
BASKETBALL – Innitate motion of making a free throw using both hands.
BATHE - Both A hands, thumb side up, touch body near respective
shoulders are rubbed up and down in initation of washing body.
BATTLE, WAR – Both 5 hands, palms down, tips pointing toward each
other, elbows near body, move both hands toward left, then toward
right, keeping them in same position to each other; shows the give
and take of two armies or sides.
BEAR – Cross arms so 5 hands, palms toward body with fingers bent
will be near opposite shoulders; pull both hands downward initating
a bear clawing.
BEAT, CONQUER, DEFEAT, OVERCOME – Left S hand, palm down;
right S hand palm down; place right wrist on top of back of left
wrist; slowly and deliberately push right hand down over outside of
left wrist.
BEAUTIFUL, PRETTY - Right 5 hand, tips up, palm toward face; as
right hand makes a circle in front of the face, the fingers close into
and AND HAND.
- 19 —
BECAUSE - Right open hand, palm toward face, tips left; touch tips to
forehead above right eye then move hand upward changing into an
A hand.
BECOME - Right open hand, palm down, is held several inches above
left open hand, palm up; change positions so left hand is on top fac-
ing down.
BED (meaning GOING TO SLEEP) - Right open hand, palm toward
right side of face, tips up; lay head over in palm of hand to show
sleeping.
B EE - See INSEC T.
BEFORE (meaning IN THE PRESENCE OF) - Left open hand, palm to-
ward face, tips up; right open hand, palm forward, tips up; right
hand brought in between face and left hand, palms facing.
BEFORE (meaning BEFORE A POINT IN TIME) - Left open hand, palm
toward body, tips right; back of right hand, tips up, placed in left
palm; right hand drawn toward body.
BEFORE (meaning AHEAD) - See AHEAD.
BEG - Right 5 hand, palm up, tips forward, fingers bent slightly; place
back of right wrist on top of left S hand, palm down; pull right hand
back toward body while flexing fingers; repeat. (Similar to WANT
except made with one hand. )
BEGIN, START - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; index finger
position on right hand; palm down; tip of right index finger is stuck
in between left index and middle fingers and given a twist; shows
screw turning in wood.
BEHIND – Same position as AHEAD, but move the right A back behind
left hand so knuckles of right hand touch wrist of left hand.
BELIEVE - Sign for THINK then sign for MARRY.
BELONG, CONNECT, JOIN – Thumb and index finger of right 9 hand
join and interlock with thumb and index finger of left 9 hand.
BELOW, UNDER - &\
1. Same sign as ABOVE except right hand is underneath the
left hand.
2. Sometimes this sign is made with the right 10 hand, palm
left, thumb side up, moved under the left open hand, palm down.
B ENEFIT - See ATD.
PEST - Sign BETTER, then right A hand is raised several inches.
BETTER - Right open hand, palm toward face, tips left; draw fingers
across lips from left to right ending in A hand position.
– 20 —
BETWEEN - Left C hand, palm up; right open hand, little finger side
down, is placed between thumb and fingers of left hand and moved
back and forth so it hits the thumb and fingers of left hand several
times (this is not a sawing motion). 9
BIBLE – Sign for JESUS then sign BOOK.
BICYCLING - With S position on both hands, palms down, go through
motion of pedaling.
BILLS (DOLLAR BILLS) - See DOLLAR.
BIRD - Back of right G hand is placed against mouth under nose so tips
of thumb and index finger point forward; open and shut thumb and
index finger to represent the bird's beak.
BIRTH, BORN - Left open hand , palm toward body, tips right; right
open hand, tips left, palm facing and touching stomach; move right
hand out and up so back of right hand rests in 1eft palm. Shows baby
has arrived.
BIRTHDAY - Make signs for BIRTH, and then DAY.
BISCUIT - See COOPKIES.
BITTER, SOUR - Tip of right index finger is jabbed against lips; make
face as if tasting something bitter.
BLACK - Index finger position on right hand, tip pointing left; rub length
of right index finger across eye brows from left to right.
BLAME, FAULT, GUILTY - Left open hand, palm down, chest high,
tips right; right A hand, thumb side up is sharply struck on back of
left hand; right hand moves across left hand toward person who is
at fault.
BLESS - Both A hands, palms facing, thumbs touching lips; lower hands
slowly opening into 5 hand position, palms down.
BLIND – Crooked V fingers of right hand palm toward body straddle
bridge of nose under eyes. Close eyes.
BLOCK, HINDER, INTERCEPT, PREVENT - Make sign similar to
BOTHER, except right hand hits into left hand, which is held up
about shoulder high, one time with enphasis.
BLOOD – With right hand make sign for RED; now right 5 hand, palm
toward body, tips up is lowered while fingers wiggle to show blood
running down body.
BLUE - Right B hand, palm left, tips forward; shake hand in a twisting
motion.
|BILUSH - See EME ARRASSED.
– 21 -
BOAST - Right 10 hand, palm down, thumb toward body; jab thumb
into right side of stomach several times.
BOAT - \
1. Boat - Little finger edge of both open hands brought to-
gether, tips forward as if cupping hands; both hands moved forward
as boat riding waves.
2. Ship or sail boat - Little finger edge of right 3 hand, palm
left, tips forward, placed in left open hand; hands moved forward
as if riding waves.
BODY - Both open hands, palms toward body, right tips pointing left
and left tips pointing right; touch palms to upper chest then touch
palms to stonnach.
\
BOOK - Both palms face to face and touching, tips forward, are opened
outward, palms up, as if opening a book.
BORN - See BIRTH.
BORROW - Right K hand, tips forward palm left, is placed on top of
left K hand, palm right, tips forward; move both hands upward and
back toward body as if pulling what is borrowed to you.
BOTH - Right V hand, palm toward body, tips up; left C hand, thumb-
index finger side up, palm toward body; pull right hand down through
left C hand ending in U hand.
BOTHER, INTERFERE – Left C hand, palm and tips facing upward;
little finger edge of right open hand is struck into palm of left C
hand several times.
BOUND - Wrist of right S hand is placed on back of wrist of left S hand;
both hands are pushed downward slightly showing hands bound
together.
BOWL, DISH – Little finger edge of both cupped hands are touched to-
gether then are drawn apart to form outline of a bowl or dish.
BOWLING – Imitate throwing a bowling ball.
BOW TIE - With both H hands, make motions of tying a bow tie.
BOXING - With S position on both hands, initate boxing.
BOY -
1. With right hand, palm down, tips left, grasp imaginary
brin of cap between thumb and fingertips.
2. Same sign as above; then with right open hand, palm down,
measure height of boy's head.
BRAVE, COURAGE - Tips of both C hands, fingers slightly separated,
touched to body slightly below respective shoulders; hands are
moved forward ending in S hand positions, palms up.
- 22 -
BREAD - Left open hand, palm toward body, tips right; right angle
position on right hand, tips up; pull little finger edge of right hand
down against back of left hand as if slicing bread.
BREAK - Both S hands, palms down, grasp an imaginary stick; hands
are twisted outward until palms face each other. Shows action of
breaking the stick.
BREAKFAST - Make signs for EAT and MORNING.
BREATHE - Both open hands, palms toward body, thumb side up;
place hands on chest; move hands out and back several times to
show chest movement while breathing.
BRIDGE – Left arm, palm down, held in front of body; tips of right V
hand pointing up touch under side of left arm at the wrist and then
near the elbow.
BRIGHT, CLEAR, LIGHT, PLAIN - Both AND hands, tips forward,
side by side; move hands forward, upward and outward while hands
open into 5 hand position.
BRILLIANT, CLEVER, INTELLIGENT, SMART –
1. Right 5 hand, tips up, palm toward face; touch tip of middle
finger to forehead; twist hand upward and outward so finger tips
point upward.
2. Index finger position on right hand, tip up, palm forward;
touch index finger to forehead then move hand in jerky motion for-
ward and upward, tip still up and palm forward.
BRING - Both palms, facing up, held out from chest; move both hands,
in same position, back near chest as if you are holding something
on your palms.
BROTHER - Sign BOY (#1) then sign SAME.
BROTHER-IN-LAW - Make signs for BROTHER and LAW.
BROWN - Index finger side of right B hand drawn down right cheek.
BUILD - Both hands in right angle position, tips facing, palms down;
right hand fingers placed on top of left hand fingers; then left hand
fingers placed on top of right hand fingers; repeat; hands move up-
ward slightly, shows laying of bricks.
BUILDING - Make sign for BUILD then finish with a movement like
HOUSE.
BURDEN - Both S hands are held near right shoulder as if holding a
sack slung over shoulder.
BURN, FIRE - Both palms, facing body, tips pointing up, fingers
spread; wiggle fingers in imitation of flames.
— 23 –
ºpen hands
º in a slight arc indicating |
forward, draw hands back towa
mound of the grave.
s back of left index finger, form-
ing an X, palms facing out, now separate hands so fingers point
slightly toward their respective sides. - |
BUT - Right index finger placed acºs
BUTTER - Left palm facing up; right H fingers, palm down, drawn
backward over left palm as if spreading butter.
BUTTERFLY - Both open hands, pairns toward body, tips up; cross
hands at wrists, interlock thumbs and wiggle fingers.
BUY - Back of right AND hand placed in left open palm, tips right;
then right hand is moved forward as if handing money to someone.
(NOTES)
– 24 -




- 25 -
- 26 -
- C -
CABBAGE - Right angle position on both hands, heels of hands resting
on sides of head, fingers separated and pointing up; fingers rep-
resent leaves of cabbage.
CAKE - Same sign as COOKIES except don't twist right hand.
CALF - Index finger position on both hands, palms forward, tips up;
touch sides of index fingers to forehead above the eyes; move hands
up and down slightly, simultaneously, so index fingers rub against
forehead; shows calf's horns just coming through the skin.
CALIFORNIA - Same sign as GOLD.
CALL - Fingers of right open hand, palm down, strikes back of left
open hand, palm down, tips right; turn right hand over and beckon
toward self.
CALLED (meaning NAMED) - See NAMED.
CALM, QUIET, STILLNESS - Index finger of right hand, palm left,
tip up, is touched to lips; right hand changes to open hand, palm
left; left open hand, palm right, is held below right hand; hands
then move to respective sides, palms down, tips forward; shows
waves becoming flat and still.
CALVARY - Left open hand held out from face, palm down, tips point-
ing forward and upward; right open hand, palm down, tips forward,
is moved in zigzag motion up back of left arm and hand; then right
hand makes sign for CROSS near tips of left hand.
CAN - See ABILITY.
CANADA - Right A hand grasps right coat lapel and shakes it gently.
CANCEL, CRITICIZE - Tip of right index finger draws a large X on
left palm.
CANDLE - Index finger position on left hand, palm right, tip up; tip of
left index finger touches heel of right 5 hand, palm forward, tips
up; right fingers wiggle showing flickering of candle flame.
CANDY -
1. Put tip of right index finger in corner of mouth as if sucking
a piece of candy.
2. Make sign for SWEET.
3. Right U hand, tips up, palm toward face; fingers brushed
downward several times against right corner of mouth.
CAN'T - Index finger position on both hands, palms down, left index
pointing right and right pointing forward; right hand held higher
than left; right hand moves downward past left hand and as it does,
the right index finger strikes the back of the left index finger.
– 27 –
CAR - See DRIVE.
CARDS - Imitate dealing imaginary deck of cards.
CAREFUL - Make same sign as KEEP except right and left hands are
struck together several times.
CARELESS - Right V hand, palm toward left, tips up, moved back and
forth before eyes.
CARPENTER – Imitage holding a carpenter's plane in the right hand and
plane the palm of the left hand.
CARRY - Similar to BRING except hands are moved from the right to
the left.
CAT - Both 9 hands; touch tips of thumbs and index fingers to corners
of mouth then move them backward toward ears showing whiskers.
CATCH - See A.R.R. EST.
CATHOLIC - Right U hand, palm toward face, tips up, draw small
cross in front of for ehead.
C ENTER, MIDDLE – Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right angle
position on right hand, tips down; with tips of right hand, transcribe
a circle over left palm; and end with tips touching center of left
palm.
CENTS - Touch tip of right index finger, palm left, to forehead; then
make the sign for the number of cents. i. e., CENTS - FIVE.
CHAIN – Make sign for BELONG so right index finger side is on top;
separate; twist right hand and make sign for BELONG again so
right thumb is on top; repeat several times showing the links in a
chain.
CHAIR - Same sign as SIT (individual).
CHAL LENGE – Left 10 hand, palm toward body, thumb up; right 10
hand, palm left, thumb up, held between left hand and body; move
both hands forward sharply two or three inches.
CHANGE – Both A hands; left palm facing up; right palm facing down;
right hand above left hand; change positions so left hand is on top,
palm down and right hand on bottom, palm up.
CHAPTER - Left open hand, palm right, tips up; right C hand straddles
left hand, thumb on thumb side, and little finger on little finger
side; draw right hand down length of left hand.
CHARACTER - Right C hand, palm left, thumb-index finger side near
body; make small vertical circle near heart then place hand against
the heart.
– 28 -
CHASE - Sign is similar to FOLLOW; right A hand is several inches
behind left A hand; as both hands move forward, the right hand is
twisted back and forth.
CHEAP -
1. Make sign for MONEY and then sign for SMALL.
2. Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; index finger
side of right B hand, palm down, tips forward, is brushed down-
ward against left palm with emphatic motion.
CHEERFUL, LAUGH, SMILE – Index fingers of both 4 hands, palms
down, are pulled backward from sides of lips toward respective
ears; fingers wiggling up and down to show beams of pleasure.
CHEESE - Press and twist heel of right palm against heel of left palm.
CHEMISTRY - Both 10 hands, palms forward, thumbs pointing down;
alternately move the hands up and down.
CHICKEN - Make sign for BIRD; now peck at left open hand, palm up,
with index finger and thumb of right hand; shows eating.
CHIEF (meaning PROMINENT) - See PROMINENT.
CHILDREN - With palm of right hand pat the heads of imaginary children.
CHINA - Tip of right index finger pulls corner of right eye upward.
Shows slant.
CHOOSE, SELECT - Left V hand, palm toward body, tips up; right
thumb and for efinger go through motion of selecting one of the two
fingers of the left V hand.
CHRIST – Right C hand, palm toward left, with thumb index finger side
touching left shoulder, brought down to right hip.
CHRISTIAN –
1. Sign for CHRIST followed by -ER (suffix of OCCUPATION).
2. Sign for JESUS followed by -ER (suffix of OCCUPATION).
CHRISTMAS -
1. Spell it. ->
2. Make signs for JESUS, BIRTH, DAY. -
3. Right C hand, palm forward, thumb-index side toward left;
move hand from left to right and back again several times in an
upward arc.
CHURCH - Right C hand, palm forward; place right thumb on back of
left S hand, palm down.
CITIZEN (of a specific country) - Make the sign for the country followed
with the -ER (suffix of OCCUPATION). For example: GERMANY
plus - ER would mean a German.
– 29 - g
CITY - See TOWN.
CLEAN, NICE – Both open hands; left palm up, tips forward, right
palm down, tips left; right palm is moved across the length of
left palm from he el to fingertips.
CILEAR - See BRIGHT.
CI, EVER - See BRILLIANT.
CLOSE – Both B hands, palms forward, tips up; touch both index fin-
gers together length-wise as if two sliding doors coming together.
CLOSE (meaning NEAR) – See NEAR.
CLOTHING, DRESS, SUIT – Thunbs of both 5 hands with palms facing
body are brushed downward against chest to indicate the clothing.
CLOUD - Left 5 hand, palm up, tips right, bend fingers slightly; right
5 hand, palm down, tips forward, bend fingers slightly, held above
left hand; move both hands toward right as they make horizontal
circles; shows swirling of clouds.
COAT - Both A hands placed on respective shoulders are drawn over
chest showing collar line of coat.
COFFEE – Both S hands, thunb-index finger sides up; palms facing;
right hand makes counter-clockwise motion on top of left S hand;
shows turning crank of coffee grinder.
COLD (meaning RUNNY NOSE) - Right A hand, palm toward face; grasp
nose with thumb and index finger and pull downward from nose; re-
pe at several times.
COLD, WINTER – Both S hands, palms facing, are shaken in front of
body as if cold and shivering.
COLLAR - With right G hand, index finger on top and thumb on bottom;
trace outline of collar under neck from left to right side.
COLLECT - See EARN.
COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY – Sign SCHOOL then raise right hand and make
counter-clockwise circle above left hand to show a school of higher
learning.
COLON (meaning PUNCTUATION) - Tips of thumb and index finger of
right X hand touch, palm forward; hand is moved forward twice to
show dots of a colon.
COMB - Right C hand, palm down thumb index finger side left, fingers
separated; pull fingers backward through hair as if combing it.
COME - Both index fingers pointing at each other, palms toward body,
rotate around each other coming toward the body.
– 30 -
COMMAND, ORDER – Index finger position on right hand, palm toward
face, tip up, touch tip of right index to lips; then turn hand so palm
faces forward; change right hand to X position and bring hand down-
ward as in MUST.
COMMANDMENTS - Left open hand, palm right, tips up; touch thumb-
index finger side of right C hand, palm forward, into left palm
several times, each time lower than before; shows 10 Command-
ments.
COMPARE - Make sign for APPEAR on both hands then look from one
hand to the other as if comparing them.
COMPETITION, CONTEST, RACE - Both A hands, thumb side up,
palms facing each other; move hands forward and backward several
times alternately.
COMPLETED, FINISHED, HAVE (meaning COMPLETED ACTION) –
1. Left B hand, palm right, tips forward; move little finger
edge of right open hand, plan facing body, tips left, along length
of left index finger, beginning at wrist and dropping off tips as if
chopping something Off.
2. Both 5 hands, palms facing, tips forward, held out in front
of body shoulder width apart; flip both hands so little finger edge
points to respective sides, palms down; action is like flipping
water from finger tips.
CONCENTRATE - See APPLY.
CONDENSE - Both C hands, palms facing, thumb-index finger sides up;
as both hands move toward each other, they change into S hands
with the right hand coming to rest on top of the left hand.
CONFESS - See ADMIT.
CONFIDENCE - See TRUST.
CONFUSION, MDXED UP - Both 5 hands, tips forward, left palm up,
right palm down, slightly bend fingers; right hand makes counter-
clockwise circle above left hand showing a mixing action.
CONGRATULATE - See APPLAUD.
CONNECT - See BICLONG.
CONQUER - See BIEAT.
CONSCIENCE - Index finger position on right hand, palm left; side of
right index finger struck against heart as if warning us.
CONSIDER - See THINK.
CONTEMPT - See DESPISE.
- 31 –
*.
CONTEST - See COMPETITION.
CONTINUE, PERSEVERE - A position on both hands, palms down;
place thumb of right hand on nail of left thumb and push both hands
forward.
CONTROL - See AUTHORITY.
CONVERSATION - See TALK.
CONVICTION (meaning CONSCIENCE) - See CONSCIENCE.
CONVICTION (meaning a STRONG FEELING) - See FEEL (meaning
EMOTION).
COOK - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; place back of right
open hand, palm up, crosswise of left palm; turn right hand over;
repeat; shows food being turned over.
|
COOKIES - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right C hand, fingers
spread, palm down; place tips of right hand in left palm; twist right
hand to show making of cookie s with a cutter.
COOPERATE - Make sign for BELONG; then with hands in this position,
move the hands back and forth between the parties that are coopera-
ting. ~,
COP - See POLICE.
COPY, IMITATE – Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right 5 hand,
palm down, tips forward, reaches out beyond left hand and then is
pulled back into left palm changing into AND hand.
CORD, STRING - Both I hands, palms toward body, thumb-index finger
side up, tips of little fingers touching; pull hands apart.
CORN (meaning ROASTING EARS) -
1. Initate eating corn off right index finger which represents
the cob.
2. (meaning SHELLING CORN) - Left index finger, palm right,
tip forward; index finger of right X hand hooked over tip of left
index finger; base of right thumb rubbed lengthwise on top of left
index finger as if shelling corn.
CORRECT, RIGHT - Index finger position on both hands, palms facing,
tips forward; right hand is struck sharply on top of left hand.
COST, FINE, PRICE – Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; index
finger of right X hand, palm facing body, is brushed downward
against palm of left hand.
COUNSEL - See ADVICE.
COUNT - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; thumb and index
finger of right 9 hand touched to base of left palm and slid forward.
– 32 –
COUNTRY (meaning FARM AREA) - Fingers of right open hand, palm
facing body, rubbed in circular motion on left arm near elbow; left
hand resting on right shoulder.
COUNTRY (meaning NATION) - See NATION.
COURAGE - See BRAVE.
COUSIN - t
1. (if female) - Right C hand shaken near chin.
2. (if male) - Right C hand shaken near temple.
COVET - Tip of right index finger, palm toward body, scratches
downward on throat; then make sign for WANT.
COW - Place thumb tips of both Y hands at temples; little fingers point-
ing up, shows horns.
CRACKER - Right S hand, palm down, struck against left elbow several
times; left hand resting on right shoulder.
CRAVE - Make sign for HUNGRY.
CRAZY -
1. Right C hand, fingers spread, palm toward head; circled
near temple.
2. Right index finger circled near temple.
CREAM - Left open hand, palm up; little finger side of right C hand
drawn lengthwise across left palm; shows skinning of cream.
CRITICIZ E - See CANCEL.
CROSS (meaning ILL TEMPERED AND GROUCHY) - Right C hand,
fingers spread, palm toward and near face; partially open and shut
finger's several times like talons of an eagle.
CROSS (meaning CROSS USED FOR CRUCIFIXION) - With right C hand,
palm forward, draw a cross in the air, first down, then across.
CRUCIFY - Touch tip of right index finger to center of left palm; hit
left palm with right S hand to show driving of nail; repeat the action
but now in right hand; now stretch arms out to sides to show Christ
on the cross.
CRUEL - See MEAN (reference to CHARACTER).
CRY, WEEP - Tips of both index fingers pulled downward from eyes,
alternately, to show tears dropping down cheeks.
CUP - Little finger edge of right C hand, palm left, resting on left open
hand, palm up.
- 33 -
CURSE, SWEAR - With right palm toward face, touch tip of right index,
finger to left corner of mouth and tip of thumb to right corner of
mouth, all other fingers closed; now throw hand upward and out-
ward changing into a 5 hand; shows throwing words in the other
person's face.
CUT OFF - Make sign for SCISSORS with the right hand and imitate
cutting tips off left open hand, palm down, tips right.
(NOTES)
- 34 –
– 35 -
- 36 -
- D -
DACTYLOLOGY, SIGN LANGUAGE - Index finger position on both
hands, palms facing, tips up; now move both hands up and down,
alternately, in a circular motion, up-back-down-forward-up, etc.
Some people add LANGUAGE.
DAILY - Same sign as TOMORROW, but make it several times.
DANCE - Tips of right V hand pointing down are moved back and forth
over left palm which faces up in initation of dancing.
DANGEROUS - Left S hand, palm down, thumb-index fingers toward
body; right 10 hand, palm left, thumb pointing back toward body;
jab right thumb at chest but block the jab with the left arm.
DARK, SHADOW - Both open hands, palms toward face, fingers point-
ing up; move both hands, the right toward the left and slightly down-
ward while left moves right and slightly downward so they cross in
front of eyes.
DAUGHTER - Make sign for GIRL (#1) then make sign for BABY.
DAY - Left open hand, palm down, tips placed in crook of right arm at
elbow; index finger position on right hand, which is pointing to the
right, palm up; swing right hand and arm up and over until right arm
is parallel with left arm, right index finger pointing left.
DEACON - Right D hand, palm toward body, index finger pointing up;
touch the thumb to right shoulder then left shoulder; movement is
similar to OFFICER.
DEAD – See DIE.
D EAF -
1. Index finger position on right hand; touch tip of right index
finger, palm toward body, to lips and then right ear.
2. Index finger position on right hand; touch tip of right index
finger to right ear then make sign for CLOSE. Shows ears are
closed.
DEATH - See D.I.E.
D EBATE - See ARGUE.
DEBT, OWE – Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; index finger
position on right hand; touch tip of right index finger to left palm,
then move both hands forward.
DECEIVE – Left Y hand, palm down, tips forward; right Y hand, palm
down, tips forward is placed on back of left hand near wrist; as
right hand moves forward out past end of left hand, the left hand
is pulled backward.
- 37 –
DECIDE - Sign THINK with right hand then bring both hands down
sharply into 9 hand positions at waist level, both palms facing each
other and finger tips pointing forward.
DECLINE - The reverse of IMPROVE.
DEDICATE - Make signs for SURRENDER (#2) and ALL.
DEEP - Left open hand, palm down, tips forward; index finger position
on right hand; push the tip of the right index finger down through
the left hand between the second and middle finger.
DEER - Thumbs of both 5 hands touch respective temples, tips point-
ing up; shows antlers.
DEFEAT - See BEAT.
DEFEND, GUARD, PROTECT, SHIELD - Left S hand, palm down,
thumb side toward body; right S hand, palm down, thumb side to-
ward body; place right hand between left hand and body and move
both hands forward with a jerk.
DELAY, POSTPONE, PROCRASTINATE - Both 9 hands, palms facing,
tips forward; move both hands forward in small skips.
DELIGHTED, GLAD, HAPPY, JOY - Palm of right open hand, tips
left, is brushed upwards several times against chest.
DELIVER (meaning SAVE) - See SAFE.
DEMAND, REQUIRE – Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right
X hand, palm down; tip of right index finger is touched to left palm;
both hands pulled back toward body in this position.
DEMONSTRATE, EXAMPLE, SHOW - Left open hand, palm right, tips
up; index finger position on right hand; touch tip of right index fin-
ger into left palm; move both hands forward in this position.
DENTIST - Point at teeth with right index finger then sign -ER (suffix
of OCCUPATION).
DENY - Both A hands, palms facing, thumb-side up; place thumbs under
chin; move both hands forward with a sharp movement; this is a
double ''not''.
DEPART - See LEAVE (meaning to DEPART).
DEPEND - Left index finger position, palm down, tip forward; index
finger of right X hand, palm down, is hooked over left index
finger. *
DESCRIBE - See EXPLAIN.
DESERVE - In most uses the word deserve can be properly signed as
MUST and GIET.
- 38 -
DESTRE - ...A
1. Same as WANT when expressing a simple desire.
2. Same as HUNGRY when expressing an intense desire.
DESPISE, HATE - Middle finger of each hand is folded under thumbs,
other fingers remain extended, left palm right, right palm left;
flip middle fingers into extended position.
DESTROY - Both 5 hands, left hand palm up, tips right; right hand
palm down, tips forward; left hand held in front of body, right hand
held toward right-front; bring the right over the left hand, both
hands changing to A hands; right hand moves back to original position
and both hands open to 5 positions again.
DETERIORATE - The reverse of IMPROVE.
DETERMINE - See DECIDE.
DEVIATE, STRAY, WANDER – Index finger position on both hands,
palms down, tips forward, index fingers touching length-wise;
right hand moves forward and to the right away from left hand in a
zigzag motion showing straying.
DEVIL, SATAN - Right 3 hand, tips up; place tip of right thumb to
right temple; crook and uncrook index and middle fingers.
DIE - Left palm facing up, right palm facing down, fingers pointing
forward; move both hands slightly to the right while turning left
palm down and right palm up.
DIFFERENT, VARIOUS - Same sign as BUT except it is repeated twice
rapidly.
DIFFICULT - Both V hands, middle and index fingers crooked, palms
toward body; move hands up and down alternately several times so
knuckles of index and middle fingers strike against each other.
DINNER - Make sign for EAT and NOON.
DIRECT - See AUTHORITY.
DIRT, GROUND, SOIL - Both AND hands, palms up, tips facing; rub
thumbs over tips of fingers as if feeling and sifting dirt through
fingers.
DIRTY, NASTY - Back of right 5 hand placed under chin, fingers point-
ing toward left; wiggle fingers.
DISAGREE - Sign THINK then sign OPPOSITE.
DISAPPEAR, I’ADE, MELT, VANISH - Both 5 hands, palms toward
face, tips up; as hands move downward and slightly toward
sides; the 5 hands change into AND hands and then the thumbs move
along the fingertips, beginning at the little fingers ending in A hand
positions.
- 39 -
DISAPPOINTED - Tip of right index finger, palm toward body is jabbed
into center of chin.
DISCIPLE (meaning a disciple of Jesus) - Make sign for JESUS, then
sign for FOLLOWER.
DISCOURAGED -
1. Sign FEEL (EMOTION) and FAIL.
2. Both 5 hands, palms toward body, touch tips of middle
fingers to respective sides of body; then lower both hands to waist,
palms up.
DISCUSS - Left palm facing up, tips forward; right index finger, palm
toward body, struck several times in left palm.
DISH - See BOWL.
DISHONEST - Sign NOT then sign HONEST.
DISOBEY -
1. Right S hand, palm toward face; twist right hand toward
the right so the palm faces forward; turn the head toward the left
as the hand is twisted.
2. Some make this sign with both hands.
3. Some sign it as NOT and OBEY.
DIVIDE – Left open hand, palm toward body, tips right; little finger
edge of right open hand, palm left, tips forward, is placed on index
finger of left hand; quickly draw both hands apart ending with both
palms facing down, tips forward.
DIVINE - Same sign as HOLY except use right D hand position.
DIVORCE - Make sign for MARRY then draw both hands apart chang-
ing into A positions.
DO - Both C hands held in front of body, palms down, thumb-index
finger Sides facing each other; move both hands, simultaneously,
toward one side and then back toward the other side as if running
hands back and forth on a rail; repeat.
DOCTOR - Tips of right M hand are placed on inside of left wrist as if
taking a pulse then make the -ER (suffix of OCCUPATION) sign.
DOG - Imitate calling of dog by snapping of fingers and slapping of thigh.
DOESN'T MATTER, INDIFFERENT, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - Both
open hands, palms toward body, thumb side up; slap fingers against
each other, back and forth, alternately.
DOING - See D.O.
- 40 –
DOLLAR, BILLS - Left open hand, palm toward body, tips right;
right angle position on right hand, palm toward body, tips left;
place right palm against back of left hand, now place right thumb
in left palm; pull right hand toward the right off end of left fingers;
repeat if necessary to stress the fact of several dollar bills.
DON'T - See NOT (#1).
T}ON'T CARE -
1. Place tips of right AND hand at forehead; hand is opened
as fingers are flipped toward floor.
2. Place tips of right AND hand on end of nose; hand is opened
as fingers are flipped toward floor.
DON'T KNOW - Make sign for KNOW; then turn palm outward to show
there is nothing in the hand.
DON'T WANT - Both C hands, fingers spread, palms up; flex fingers
once; turn hands over as if dropping whatever is in the hands.
DOOR - Both B hands, palms out, tips up, both index fingers together;
swing index side of right hand back and forth as a door swinging
open and shut.
DOUBT - Both S hands, waist high, palms down, moved up and down
alternately two or three times.
DOWN - Point down with right index finger.
DRAMA, PANTOMIME, PLAY -
1. Both A hands, left palm right, right palm left, held near
respective sides of face; move hands up and down alternately to
show facial expressions of the actors.
2. Some use both open hands, palms forward, tips up; instead
of the A hands.
DRAW (meaning art work) – With little finger of right I hand, initate
the action of drawing on the left palm which faces right, tips up.
DRAW (meaning to attract or pull) - See ENTICE.
DREAD FUL - See AWFUL.
DREAM - Index finger position on right hand; tip of right index finger
is touched to forehead, palm down, and then is crooked and un-
crooked as hand is pulled up and forward.
DRESS - See CLOTHING.
DRINK - Imitate lifting a glass to the mouth and tilting it for a drink.
DRIVE - Both S hands, palms facing; imitate holding a steering wheel
and going through motions of driving a car.
- 41 -
DROWN - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right V hand, palm
toward face; with tips pointing up, pull right fingers down through
left hand between index and middle fingers.
DRUNK – Touch thumb of right Y hand, palm left, to lips; then initate
facial expressions of a drunk.
DRY - Index finger of right X hand, palm down, is drawn across the
lips from left to right.
DUCK - Back of right hand is touched to lips under nose; thumb, index
and middle fingers are extended, others are closed, to represent
the duck's bill; open and shut fingers showing quacking of duck.
DUMB, STUPID – Strike forehead with the knuckles of the right A hand,
palm toward face.
DURING, IN PROCESS OF, MEANTIME, WHILE - Index finger position
on both hands, palms down, tips forward, hands in front of body and
separated several inches; move both hands forward and slightly
downward.
DUTY - Left S hand, palm down; right D hand, palm forward, index
finger pointing up; strike hand on back of left hand.
(NOTES)
- 42 -
- E -
EACH, EVERY - Left A hand, palm right, thumb side up; right A hand,
thumb-side up, palm left; draw tip of right thumb down length of
back of left thunb.
EAGER, ENTHUSIASTIC, ZEALOUS - Both open hands, palm to palm
and touching, tips forward; rub hands back and forward rapidly
several times showing eagerness.
EAR - Point to the ear with the index finger.
EARN, COLLECT - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right C
hand, thumb-index finger side up, palm left; touch little finger
side of right hand to tips of left hand; pull hand down length of left
hand showing act of scooping or gathering money.
EARTH – Left S hand, palm down; right thumb touches knuckle of left
index finger; right middle finger touches knuckle of 1eft little finger;
while touching left hand, right hand rocks back and forth.
EAST - Right E hand, palm down, moves toward East; if the direction
of East is not known, move the right E hand toward the right.
EASTER -
1. Spell it.
2. With right E hand, make arc in air similar to that for
CHRISTMAS (#3).
EASY - Right angle position on left hand, palm up; place fingers of
right hand, palm toward body, against back of left fingers and brush
upward lightly several times.
EAT, FOOD - Tips of right AND hand touched lightly to lips several
times.
EGG - Both H hands, left palm right, right palm toward body; middle
finger of right H hand placed across top of index finger of left H
hand; both hands separated in downward motion as if breaking egg
in skillet.
ELECTRICITY - X position on both hands, palms toward body, thumb-
index finger side up; touch index finger knuckles together; pull hands
apart and strike knuckles together again; repeat.
ELEPHANT - Back of right hand, palm down, fingers forward, placed
before nose; trace outline of trunk as hand moves forward and down-
ward and ending with fingertips against chest.
EMBARRASSED — Index finger position on right hand, palm toward body,
tip up; draw index finger down across the lips (showing the red
color); then both 5 hands, palms toward face and tips up; move
both hands up cheeks and sides of face to show red coloring of an
enbarrassed person.
- 43 –
EMPTY - Left open hand, palm down; middle finger of right hand,
palm down, is touched to back of left hand, then brushed forward
over tips of left hand.
ENCOURAGE - Both open hands, palms forward, left finger tips point-
ing left; right finger tips pointing right; keeping hands in this posi-
tion, move both hands forward, simultaneously, in short pushing
movements; show giving "pushes" to someone.
END, LAST - Left I hand, palm right, little finger pointing forward;
tip of right index finger, palm toward body, is struck downward
against tip of left little finger.
ENDURE, PATIENCE, SUFFER - Right A hand, palm left; place back
of thumb to lips and move head backward slightly as thumb nail is
drawn across lips.
ENEMY - Make sign for OPPOSE then sign for - ER (suffix of OCCU-
PATION).
ENGAGEMENT (meaning APPOINTMENT) - See APPOINTMENT.
ENGAGEMENT (meaning TO BE MARRIED) - Make sign similar to
sign for ENGAGEMENT (meaning APPOINTMENT) except draw
circle over fourth finger of left hand with right hand coming to rest
on back of left fingers.
ENGLAND - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right Open hand,
palm down, tips forward, is placed on back of left hand; grasp
little finger edge of left hand and pull toward body.
ENJOY, PLEASE, PLEASURE - Right open hand, tips left, palm facing
and touching chest; move hand in circular motion while having
pleased look on face.
ENOUGH, PLENTY – Left O hand, palm right, thumb-index finger side
up; little finger side of right Open hand, palm down, is pushed across
top of left O hand from left to right two or three times.
ENTER - See IN.
ENTHUSIASTIC - See EAGER.
ENTICE (meaning to pull, attract, draw, lead) - Left S hand, thumb-
side up, held out to front and left of body; right S hand, thumb side
up, held between body and left hand; pull both hands back toward
body as if holding a rope and pulling something toward you.
ENTICE (meaning TEMPT) - See TEMPTATION.
ENVY -
1. Bite tip of right index finger, palm facing body.
2. Same as above and add WANT.
– 44 -
EPISCOPAL - Right index finger describes a semicircle beginning at
under side of left wrist and ending at left elbow. Shows sleeve of
surplice.
EQUAL, EVEN - Both B hands, palms down, tips forward; touch both
index fingers together lengthwise.
-ER (meaning COMPARATIVE DEGREE) - Both A hands, held in front
of chest, palms facing and touching, thumb-side up; keeping left
hand in position, raise right hand up about three or four inches.
-ER (suffix of OCCUPATION) (sometimes called the "body" sign or
"person" sign) - slide heels of both open hands down sides of body,
tips forward.
ERROR, MISTAKE, WRONG - Right Y hand, palm toward body, tips
up; tapped against chin.
ESCAPE, FLEE – Left open hand, palm down, tips forward; index
finger position on right hand, palm down, tip forward; place right
hand under left hand; move right hand forward and then off to the
right in a wavy line.
- EST (meaning SUPERLATIVE DEGREE) - Same sign as - ER (Com-
parative degree) but right hand raised up much higher.
ESTABLISH, FOUNDED - Right A hand, palm left, thumb-side up;
describes small circle over left open hand, palm down; then placed
firmly on back of left hand.
ETC., SO FORTH - Both L hands, palms toward body, thumbs pointing
up, index finger pointing at and touching each other; as hands are
pulled to their respective sides, the index fingers are wiggled
several times.
ETERNITY - See FOREVER.
EUROPE – Describe a circle before the face with the right E hand,
palm toward face. (Some people end this sign by touching the
right E hand to the nose).
EVALUATE, JUDGE – Both 9 hands, palms facing, tips forward; raise
and lower each hand alternately showing balancing of scales.
EVEN - See EQUAL.
EVERLASTING - See FOREVER.
EVERY - See EACH.
EVIL - See SIN.
EXACT - Left X hand, palm up, tips of thumb and index finger touching;
same position on right hand, palm down; bring tips of thumbs and
index fingers of both hands together, right hand on top; be sure
fingers meet "exactly".
- 45 –
EXAMINATION - Draw question marks in front of body with both index
fingers, palms down, tips forward; suddenly, with a jerk, open
both hands into 5 hand positions, palms down, tips forward.
EXAMPLE – See DEMONSTRATE.
EXCEPT - Left index finger pointing up; thumb and index finger of right
9 hand grasps tips of left index finger and pulls it upward.
EXCHANGE, SUBSTITUTE, TRADE - Both F hands, left palm toward
right and right palm toward left, thumb-index finger sides up,
right hand between body and left hand; right hand moves under left
hand and forward as left hand moves back and over right hand;
shows them trading positions.
EXCITED, THRILLED - Both 5 hands, palms toward body, tips facing;
slightly bend middle fingers and brush them upward, alternately,
against chest in a springing motion.
EXCUSE, PARD ON - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right
Open hand, palm down, tips left; fingers of right hand are brushed
forward off left hand as if brushing something off.
EXPECT, HOPE - Sign THINK; left open hand, palm toward face, tips
up, held out from face; right open hand, palm facing left, tips up,
held near face; bend and unbend both hands as if waving to each
other.
EXPENSIVE - Make signs for MONEY then for WOW.
! \
EXPERIENCE - Right C hand, palm facing and tips touching right
temple, fingers separated; with finger tips pull at hair of right
temple several times showing white hair of experience.
EXPERT, SKILLED - Left open hand, palm right, tips up; right A
hand, thumb-side up, is cupped around little finger edge of left
hand; pull right hand forward sharply away from left hand.
EXPLAIN, DESCRIBE - Both 9 hands, palms facing each other, tips
forward; move right hand forward, then as it is brought back, move
left hand forward, repeat two or three times.
EYE - Point to eye with index finger.
(NOTES)
- 46 –
- 47 -
– 48 -
f - F -
FACE - With index finger pointing toward face, draw a circle before
the face; shows outline of face. 4.
FADE - see DISAPPEAR.
FAIL -
1. (meaning to fail in an attempt) - Left open hand, palm up;
back of right V hand placed in left palm and slid toward right over
end of left fingers.
2. (meaning to collapse) - Both open hands, tips touching and
pointing up in shape of roof; let fingers drop down, pointing to
floor; shows a roof that has collapsed.
FAITH - Sign for THINK, then sign for MARRY, then sign for TRUST.
FAITHIFUL -
1. (usually used with idea of repeated service or attendance)
- See REGULAR.
2. Right F hand, palm left, is struck two or three times on
top of left F hand, palm right.
FALL (meaning SEASON) - Index finger edge of right B hand, palm down,
tips forward, is brushed downward against left arm near elbow
several times to show falling leaves, left open hand pointing upward.
FALL (meaning TO FALL DOWN) - Make sign for STAND; then place
palm of right V hand in left palm showing feet knocked out from
under you.
FALSE, FIB - Index finger position on right hand, palm left, tip point-
ing up; index finger is brushed across the lips from right to left
several times.
FAMILY - F position on both hands with thumbs touching and palms
forward, tips up, move hands out, around and forward until little
fingers touch edgewise.
FAMOUS - Make same sign as SAY ; except use both hands and make the
circles large as the hands move forward and upward away from the
nouth. ---
FAR - A position on both hands, palms facing, thumb-side up; move 1eft
A hand forward and slightly to the left while right hand remains in
position.
FARM - Make any one of the signs for FARMER but leave off the - ER
(suffix of OCCUPATION).
FARMER -
1. Right 5 hand, palm left, tips up, is held near left side of face;
draw back of thumb across chin from left to right; add - ER (suffix
of OCCUPATION).
- 49 –
2. Fingers of right hand, palm left, rubbed in circular motion
on left arm near left elbow; left hand held near right shoulder; add
-ER (suffix of OCCUPATION). 4.
3. Left palm up; little finger edge of right hand, palm left;
moved forward lengthwise of left palm in scooping motion in inita-
tion of a plow; add - ER (suffix of OCCUPATION).
FAST, QUICK - Imitate shooting rmarbles with right hand, palm left,
thunb-side up.
FAT - Both C hands, fingers spread, held over respective cheeks,
palms toward cheeks; puff out cheeks.
FATHER -
1. Thumb tip of right A hand placed to forehead, palm left,
leave thumb touching forehead while other fingers open up into a 5
hand.
2. Make sign for BOY (#1), then hold both hands, palms up,
tips forward, in front of body as if holding a baby.
FATHER-IN-LAW - Sign FATHER (#1), then sign LAW.
FAULT - See BLAME.
FEAR – See AFRAID.
FIEAR FUL - See AWFUL.
FEEBLE-MINDED - Right 5 hand position, palm facing head, place
finger tips to forehead; leave them touching forehead while bending
and unbending fingers.
FEED - With right AND hand, make sign for EAT; then with left AND
hand, palm up, tips forward; lower right AND hand, palm up, tips
forward; move both hands forward as if feeding someone.
FEEL (meaning EMOTION) - Middle finger of right hand touches heart,
other fingers extended; tug upward with right middle finger.
FEEL (meaning TOUCH) - Tip of right middle finger of right 5 hand,
palm down, touches back of left hand, palm down.
FEELINGS ARE HURT - Make sign for FEEL (EMOTION) with the right
hand; then lower the right hand so palm faces up.
FELLOWSHIP, ONE ANOTHER - Left 10 hand, thumb up; right 10 hand,
thumb down; both hands make horizontal circles around each other.
FEMALE – Make sign for GIRL (#1).
FENCE - Both 5 hands, palms toward body, tips pointing toward each
other; now interlace tips of the 5 hands; pull the hands apart and
back toward body so the palms face each other and tips point for-
ward; shows logs of rail fence and outline of the field.
- 50 -
FEW, SEVERAL - With right A hand, palm up, gradually open hand,
beginning with index finger; while fingers are opening up, draw
thumb along inside of fingers, ending in a 4 hand, tips forward.
, FIB - See FALSE.
FIELD - Make sign for DIRT then turn hands over, palms down, spread
fingers as hands move forward and outward.
FIGHT - Make sign for BOXING.
FIND - Right 5 hand, palm down, raise hand upward as thumb and
index finger form a 9 hand; shows act of picking something up.
FINE (meaning a PENALTY) - See COST.
FINE (meaning an emotional feeling) - Right 5 hand, palm left, thumb
is tapped two or three times against chest.
FINGER SPELLING, MANUAL AI, PHABET – Right 5 hand, palm down,
is moved from left to right while wiggling fingers.
FINISHED - See COMPLETED.
FIRE - See BURN.
FIRST - Left A hand, palm right, thumb-side up; index finger position
on right hand; right index finger, palm toward body, is struck back
toward body against left thumb.
FISH - Right open hand, palm left, tips forward; tips of left open hand,
palm toward body, touches right wrist; wiggle right hand back and
forth initating a fish swimming.
FISHING - Both A hands, thumb-side up, right hand in front and slightly
above left hand; initate holding a fishing pole in both hands; raise
hands up and down several times as if "playing'' the fish.
FLAG – Left open hand, palm up, tips right; right Open hand, palm left,
tips up; place right elbow in left palm; from the wrist, bend the
right hand so the tips point forward; wave the hand to right and left
initating a flag waving.
FLEE - See ESCAPE.
FLIRT - Both 5 hands, palms down, tips forward; touch tips of thumbs
together and wiggle fingers.
FLOWERS - Move tips of right AND hand to right nostril and then to
left nostril. Pretend you are sniffing flowers.
FLY - Sane sign as airplane.
- 51 -
FOLLOW - Left A hand, palm right, thumb pointing up; right A hand,
palm left, thumb pointing up, is placed behind left hand; both hands
move forward.
FOOD - See E.A.T.
FOOL, HOAX, JOKE – Right X hand, palm left; hook the crooked in-
dex finger over the nose and pull the head down slightly.
FOOLISH - See ABSURD.
FOOT (meaning 12 inches) - Same sign as MEASUR.E.
FOOTBALL - Both 5 hands, palms facing, tips forward; interlock
fingers several times showing clash of two teams.
FOR (meaning BECAUSE) - See BECAUSE.
FOR (for most other meanings) - Index finger position on right hand;
touch tip of right index finger to forehead, palm toward face, twist
right hand so index finger points forward, palm down.
FORCE -
1. Right C hand, palm forward, thumb-index finger side up;
right hand held near neck; move hand forward and downward a short
distance in a slow deliberate motion.
2. Sometimes this sign is made by moving the right hand over
the back of the wrist of left S hand, palm down, as if forcing some -
thing over the back of the left arm.
FOREST - Make sign for TREE except right hand and arm is moved
around more vigorously to show many trees.
FOREVER – Sign ALWAYS, then move right Y hand, palm down, for-
ward several inches. It shows a circle without end that continues.
FORGET – Right open hand, palm toward face, tips left; draw hand
across forehead from left to right; shows thoughts wiped out.
FORGIVE - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right open hand,
palm down, tips left; right hand is wiped forward the length of left
hand; now reverse the order as left hand is wiped forward lengthwise
of right hand; shows God wiping clean both sides of the slate.
FORK - Tips of right V hand pointing down is jabbed several times in
left palm which faces up.
FORWARD - See PROGRESS.
FOUNDATION - See SUPPORT.
FOUNDED - See ESTABLISH.
- 52 -
FOX - Place loop of right F hand, palm left, tips up, around nose;
twist hand back and forth.
FRANCE - Right F hand, palm left, tips up; twist hand toward right
with slight upward motion.
FREE - Both F hands, palms toward face, crossed at wrists; separate
hands with a twisting motion so both palms face forward; see SAFE.
FREEZE, ICE, RIGID - Both 5 hands, palms down, tips forward;
sharply lower both hands short distance and bend fingers; shows the
fingers as "frozen or rigid".
FRIDAY - Right F hand, palm forward, tips up; draw small circle.
FRIEND - Left X hand, palm up; right X hand, palm down; interlock
the index fingers; now reverse the motion with the left hand on top.
FROG - Right S hand, palm toward throat, placed under chin; index and
middle fingers flipped out into V hand position several times to show
croaking of frog.
FROM - Index finger position on both hands; left index finger pointing
up, palm out; knuckle of index finger of right X hand is touched to
back of left index; right hand then pulled back toward body.
FRONT - Right open hand, palm toward face, tips left; move hand down
directly in front of face rather slowly as if a shade had been pulled
down.
FRONT (meaning AHEAD OF) - See AHEAD.
FRUSTRATED - With both open hands, tips up, palms forward, slap
the back of the fingers backward against the mouth, alternately,
repeat; shows "backhands'' a person receives that makes him feel
frustrated.
FULL (meaning FULL TO THE TOP) - Left O hand, palm right, thumb-
index finger side up; index finger side of right open hand, palm down,
is drawn over left hand from right to left.
FULL (meaning "FED UP") - Right open hand, palm down, tips left,
thumb against chest; raise hand until it touches chin.
FULL (meaning SATISFIED in that you have eaten enough) - Same as
FULL (meaning "FED UP").
FUNERAL - V position on both hands, palms forward, tips up; right V
hand behind left hand; both hands moved forward in jerking motion
as if marching one behind the other.
FUNNY, HUMOROUS - Right U hand, palm toward face, tips up; rub
index and middle fingers of right U hand downward against end of
nose; repeat several times.
- 53 -
FUTURE, WILL - Right open hand, palm facing rights
forward; move hand forward and slightly upward. .
(NOTES)
*.
* *** * * *, *, *, *s, 3 ºf . , 's 23: 3
3rº & $ * ~, >sºr,
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side of háà: ºtips,
* ... * * * , 3x-º-º:
" . *_ - 7 - - , ~ * * * * 3:5,
24 & . Tº
3 ?'. *** ** 2. * t ~ *.x
- 54 -
- 55 -
- 56 -
- G -
GAIN (meaning INCREASE) - See INCREASE.
GARDEN - Make sign for GROW then sign for FENCE.
GATE - Both 5 hands, palms toward body, tips facing each other;
leave left hand in position while fingers of right hand swing back
and forth as a gate opening and shutting.
GATHER (meaning MEETING) - See ASSEMBLY.
GENTLEMAN - Same as MAN (#1).
GERMANY - Cross both 5 hands at wrists, thumb side up; wiggle
fingers.
GET, OBTAIN -
1. Both C hands left palm toward right and right palm toward
left, thumb-index finger side up; right slightly higher than left,
pull both hands back toward body ending in S hands, right on top of
left.
2. Right C hand, palm left, thumb-index finger side up; reach
right hand out as if grasping something and draw it back toward
body, hand changes into S hand.
GET UP - See ARISE.
GIFT, PRESENT, REWARD - Both X hands, thumb-index finger sides
toward body; right palm toward left and 1eft palm toward right;
right hand between left hand and body; move both hands forward and
twist thern so thumb-index finger sides are up.
GIRL -
1. Draw tip of thumb of right A hand down right jawbone from
ear to chin showing old time bonnet strap.
2. Sane sign as above; then with right Open hand, palm down,
measure height of girl's head.
GIVE - Both AND hands, tips down, palms toward chest; move finger
tips inward, upward and outward ending with both open hands, palms
up, tips forward.
GIVE UP, SURRENDER -
1. Both A hands in front of body, palms down, thumb side to-
ward each other; raise both hands upwards while opening into 5
hands, palms forward and tips up.
2. See note #2 for the meaning of SURRENDER (surrendering
of self to a person or cause).
GLAD - See DELIGHTED.
GLASS - Sign for CUP but raise right hand upward to indicate size of
glass.
- 57 –
GLORY - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; palm of right 5 hand,
tips left, is struck against left palm then is moved upward and to
the right as fingers and hand is wiggled from side to side.
GO –
1. Index finger position on both hands; both index fingers point-
ing at each other, palms toward body, rotate around each other as
hands move away from body.
2. Index finger position on right hand, tip pointing down, palm
toward body; as right hand moves forward, swing index finger so it
points forward.
GOAL - See AIM.
GOAT - Right N hand, palm toward face; tips of N fingers touch chin,
then forehead, and then heel of hand rests against forehead as N
fingers change to V, tips pointing up.
GOD - Right open hand, palm left, tips forward; move hand upward,
backward and down, ending with right open hand, palm left, tips
up, near head.
GOLD - Pinch right ear lobe with thumb and for efinger of right 9 hand;
then shake right Y hand, palm left, in front of body.
GOLF - Initate hitting a golfball.
GONE - See ABSENT.
GOOD - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; tips of right open hand,
palm toward face, touch lips; right hand is moved forward and down-
ward so back of right hand rests in palm of left hand, palms facing
Ulp.
GOSPEL -
1. Spe 11 it.
2. Make signs for JESUS, STORY.
3. Make signs for GOOD, INFORM.
GOSSIP - Make sign for BIRD with right G hand; thumb and index fin-
gers of left G hand point toward the thumb and index finger of right
hand; open and shut fingers showing the two mouths gossiping.
GOVERNMENT - Index finger position on right hand, palm down; index
finger draws small circle near right temple and comes to rest on
right termple.
GOVERNOR -
1. Spell it.
2. Make sign for GOVERNMENT then - ER (suffix of
OCCUPATION).
GRACE - This sign is usually used in the sense of God's love -- His
unrnerited favor to us. It is recommended that in most instances
you sign GRACE as LOVE.
- 58 -
GRADUATE - Left open hand, palm up, tips right; right G hand, tips
left; draw small horizontal circle clockwise above left palm; then
coming to rest in left palm.
GRAND FATHER -
1. Thumb tip of right 10 hand, palm left, touching forehead;
thumb tip of left 10 hand, palm right, touching little finger of right
hand; open both hands into 5 hand positions.
2. Make sign for FATHER (#2) then move both hands in that
position backward toward left shoulder.
GRAND MOTHER -
1. Make sign same as GRAND FATHER, except thumb tip of
right 10 hand touches chin.
2. Make sign for MOTHER (#2), then move both hands in that
position backward toward left shoulder.
GRAPE - Hold left AND hand so tips point down; with right hand, initate
picking grapes from the left hand and eating them.
GRAVE - Rub finger tips together as if sifting dirt; turn both hands
over, palms down, tips forward and draw them back toward body
in a slight arc indicating mound of the grave.
GRAVY - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; with thumb and
middle finger of right hand, palm up, grasp lower part of left hand;
pull right hand down so tips of thumb and middle fingers touch;
repeat to show drippings from meat.
GREAT (meaning LARGE) - See LARGE.
GREAT (meaning MUCH) - See MUCH.
GREECE - Right G hand, thumb and index finger side next to face, tips
up; keeping hand in this position, draw fingers down length of nose.
GREEK - Sarne as GREECE.
GREEN - Right G hand, tips forward, shake hand in an up and down
twisting motion.
GRIEF - Make sign for HEART (#1), then with both A hands, palm to
palm; twist hands as if wringing water out of a rag.
GROUND - See DIR. T.
GROW - Left O hand, palm right, thumb-index finger side up; right
AND hand, tips up, is pushed up through left O hand opening into a
5 hand position.
GUARD - See DEFEND.
GUESS - Right C hand, palm left, thumb-index finger side near head,
is brushed against fore head, from right to left, changing into an S
hand. Shows grabbing of thoughts.
– 59 -
r
3.
H
- **
t
» * *
*.
GUILTY
(NOTES)
– 60 -
– 6.1 -
- 62 -
- H -
HABIT - Make signs for THINK, and then BOUND. Shows thinking is
bound or in slavery.
HAIR RIBBCN - With both H hands, go through motions of tying a
ribbon in the hair.
HALF -
1. Index finger position on both hands; left index finger pointing
toward right, palm down; right index finger, palm left, crossed
over left finger and drawn backward as if cutting it in half. i. e.,
as in "half an orange''.
2. Right 1 hand, palm out, tip up; drop hand downward chang-
ing into a 2 hand used as a fraction - "#".
HALLELUJAH - Sign PRAISE and then VICTORY.
HANDKERCHIEF - Sign WHITE then sign COLD (runny nose).
HANDS – Both open hands, palms forward, tips up; right hand stroke s
down back of left hand, then left hand strokes down back of right
hand.
HAPPEN - Index finger position on both hands, palms up, index fingers
parallel and pointing forward; twist hands so palms face down.
Keep finger's pointing forward.
HAPPY - See DELIGHTED.
HARD - Crooked right H fingers palm left, struck downward against
back of left S hand, palm down.
HARD (meaning DIFFICULT) - See DIFFICULT.
HARD OF HEARING - Right H hand, palm left and finger's pointing
forward. Make two H initials in front of body.
HARVEST - Left S hand, palm right, initates grasping of stalks of
wheat; right X hand, palm left, thumb-index finger side up; moving
from right to left initates cutting of wheat with a sickle.
HAT - Pat top of head with fingers.
HATE - See DESPISE.
HAVE (meaning COMPLETED ACTION) – See FINISHED.
HAVE (meaning MUST or HAVE TO) - See MUST.
HAVE (meaning POSSESSION) – Right angle position on both hands, tips
toward body, thumb-side up; touch chest with finger tips of both
hands.
- 63 -
HE, HIM - Point index finger at person being talked about.
HEAD - Right angle position on right hand, palm left, tips toward right
termple; touch tips to right temple, then again to side of head below
€ allº -
HEAR - Right C hand cups right ear.
HEART -
1. Draw outline of heart over heart with both index fingers.
2. Draw outline of heart over heart with right middle finger,
all other fingers extended.
HEAVEN -
1. Both open hands, palms down, tips touching above head;
draw hands apart, left returns to original position, while right
goes under, forward and upward. 4.
2. Both open hands, palms down, right tips toward left, left
tips toward right, right hand above left; hands rotate around each
other as both move upward and are then pulled apart toward respec-
tive sides.
HEAVY - Right angle position on both hands, palms up, right tips
pointing left and left tips pointing right; lower both hands together
as if holding something heavy.
HELL - Point down and spell HELL.
HELP - See AID.
HER - Point index finger at person about whom you're talking.
HERE – Open hand position on both hands, palms up, tips forward;
drop hands slightly.
HERS, HIS, THEIR, YOUR - Right open hand, palm out, tips up; push
hand toward the one s referred to.
HERSELF, HIMSELF, THEMSELVES, YOURSELF - Right A hand,
palm left, thumb side up; push hand toward the one s referred to.
HIDE - Make sign for SECRET; then lower right A hand and with left
Open hand, palm down, cover right hand.
HIGH (neaning ADVANCEMENT) - See ADVANCE.
HIGH (meaning PROMINENT) - See PROMINENT.
HIGH (neaning TALL) - See TALL.
HIM - See H.E.
HIMSELF - See HERSELF.
- 64 –
HINDER - See BLOCK.
HIS - See HERS.
HOAX - See FOOL.
HOLIDAY, VACATION - Both 5 hands, palms toward body, tips point-
ing toward each other; touch thumbs to arm pits; wiggle fingers;
shows thumbs under suspenders or vest sleeves.
HOLY - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right H hand, palm
toward body, tips left, transcribes small circle above left palm;
then with open right hand, palm down, tips left, brush outward
over length of left fingers.
HOME -
1. Tips of right AND hand, palm toward face, is touched to
lips then touched to head in front of ear.
2. Touch tips of right AND hand to lips then place right open
hand, palm toward face, against side of head as if placing head on
pillow.
HONEST - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right H hand, palm
left, tips forward with middle finger touching left palm; push right
hand forward length of left hand.
HONOR - Right H hand, palm left, tips up; touch index finger to fore-
head; then move hand down and forward in motion of respect.
HOPE - See EXPECT.
HORSE - H position on both hands, thumbs extended; touch tips of thumbs
to respective temples, H fingers pointing up; bend H fingers up and
down; shows ears.
HOSE, SOCKS, STOCKINGS -
1. Index finger position on both hands, palms down, tips for-
ward; rub both index fingers against each other lengthwise as if
knitting.
2. Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right C hand, palm
down; slide palm of right hand up back of left hand beginning at fin-
ger tips and ending at wrist.
HOSPITAL – With right H fingers, palm toward body, draw a cross on
left shoulder.
HOT - Right C hand, fingers spread, palm facing body, placed over
open mouth; twist hand away so palm faces down.
HOUR - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; index finger position
on right hand, palm left, tip of index finger up; place right hand in
left palm (similar to MINUTE position); rotate right hand as a
minute hand would making a complete circle of the clock.
- 65 -
HOUSE - Both open hands, tips touching and pointing up, shows top of
house; hands are drawn downward and toward respective sides to
form sides of roof. %
HOW - Right angle position on both hands, tips down, backs touching;
move fingers inward, upward and outward until hands are flat and
open in front of body, palms up.
HUMBLE, MEEK - Right B hand, palm left, tips up; with hand in this
position, place side of index finger across lips; draw hand down so
the index finger slides down the chin and onto the chest.
HUMORO (US - See FUNNY.
HUNGRY - Tips of right C hand, palm toward body, thumb-index
finger side up, touched to chest near throat; move hand downward
toward stonnach.
HURRY - Right H hand, palm left, tips forward; move hand forward
while shaking the H fingers up and down. Both hands are some-
times used.
HURT (meaning INJURE) - Left X hand, palm right, thumb-index
finger side up; right X hand, palm left, thumb-index finger side up;
as right hand moves outward across top of left hand, little finger of
right hand hits against thumb-index fingers of left hand.
HURT (meaning PAIN) – See PAIN.
HUSBAND - Make sign for BOY (#1) ther, sign for MARRY.
HYPOCRITE - Both open hands, palms down, tips forward; place right
hand on top of left hand so all fingers point forward; with hands in
this position and keeping the fingers together, bend the fingers of
both hands up and down showing the two tongues of a hypocrite.
(NOTES)
- 66 -
- 67 -
- 68 -
- I -
I - 1. Sarne as ME.
2. Index-thumb side of right I hand, palm left, touched to chest.
ICE - See FREEZE.
ICE CREAM - Make believe you are eating an ice cream cone.
ICE SKATING - With X position on both hands, palms up, initate skat-
ing by hands moving forward and backward alternately; the bent X
fingers represent the blades on the ice skates.
IDEA, IMAGINE - Right hand I, pain facing body, touch tip of little
finger to forehead; draw hand out and up.
IDOL., STATUE -
1. With little fingers of both I hands, palms facing, trace the
outline of an idol or human form.
2. Some sign this with both A hands.
IF - 1. Spell it.
2. Same sign as JUDGE only use very slight up and down
- motion.
IGNORANT - Back of right V hand, palm out, tips toward left, is tapped
against forehead.
IMAGINE - See IDEA.
IMITATE - See COPY.
IMMEDIATELY - See NOW.
IMPORTANT, PRECIOUS, VALUABLE, WORTH, WORTHY - Both 9
hands, palms facing, tips forward, thumb and index finger sides up;
hands held near sides then moved upward and toward each other
until tips of thumbs touch.
IMPRESSION - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; thumb tip of
right A hand is placed in left palm and twisted as if leaving a thumb
print.
IMPROVE - Left open hand, tips forward, palm right; right open hand,
palm toward body, tips left; strike little finger edge of right hand
on left index finger; repeat; but move gradually toward elbow.
IN, INTO, WITHIN - Left O hand, palm right, thumb and index finger
side up; tips of right AND hand, pointing down, are placed in left O.
IN PROCESS OF - See DURING.
INCH – Left 10 hand, thumb pointing up; now bend left thumb, right G
hand, palm left; now tips of right thumb and index finger, measure
– 69 –
length of first joint of left thumb; right index tip touches tip of left
thumb while tip of right thumb touches knuckle of first joint of left
thunb.
INCLINED - Sign for FEEL; then both open hands, palms up, tips for-
ward; with hands in position, lean body slightly forward and to the
1eft.
INCREASE (meaning GAIN) - Both H hands; left palm down, tips right;
right palm up, tips forward; right H moved over on top of left H
while turning hand over so both palms face down; repeat while
gradually raising hands.
INDIAN - Tips of right F hand touches nose and then lobe of ear.
INDIFFERENT - See DOESN'T MATTER.
INFLUENCE - See ADVICE.
INFORM, LET KNOW, NOTIFY - Tips of both AND hands touching
forehead; hands are lowered and opened, palms up, as they move
to their respective sides (this when informing more than one person);
when informing one person, hands are moved toward that person as
they are lowered and opened.
INJURE - See HURT (meaning INJURE).
INNOCENT - Sign for Not then sign for BLAME.
INSECT - Pinch cheek with right hand, then brush cheek with right
hand as if brushing the insect away.
INSTITUTION - Both I hands; left palm toward right, right palm toward
left, little finger tips pointing forward; right I hand is placed on top
of thumb-index finger side of left I hand.
INSULT – Index finger position on right hand, palm toward body tip
pointing downward; right hand is moved forward quickly in direction
of person being spoken about ending with index finger pointing up,
palm forward.
INTELLIGENCE - See BRILLIANT.
INTENTION, MEAN, PURPOSE - Left open hand, palm right, tips
forward; tips of right V hand, palm down, is placed in left palm;
reverse right hand position so palm faces up.
INTERC EPT - See BLOC K.
INTERESTED -
1. Right A hand, palm toward face, thumb pointing up; now
place the thumb on right side of nose and index finger on left side
(leave index finger bent); now pull hand forward two or three
inches closing back into an A hand.
- 70 -
2. Make a sign for LIKE (meaning PLEASED) but use both
hands.
INTERFERE - See BOTHER.
INTER PRET - F position on both hands, tips forward, palms facing,
thumb and index tips of both hands brought together; both hands are
alternately twisted down and back several times.
INTO - See IN.
INTRODUCE - Both open hands, palms up, tips pointing forward; pull
hands back towards body as tips are swung toward each other.
INVENT - Right 4 hand, palm left, tips up; touch index finger side of
right hand to forehead; move hand upward slightly. Sometimes
made with both hands alternately.
INVESTIGATE, LOOK FOR, SEARCH, SEEK - Right C hand, palm left,
thumb-index finger side toward face; make large counter-clockwise
circles before the face; shows looking closely through a large mag-
nifying glass.
INVITE - Right open hand, palm up, tips forward, held out from body;
pull hand backwards toward body.
IRON (meaning IRONING CLOTHES) - Left open hand, palm up, tips
forward; right S hand, palm left, thumb-index finger side forward;
with right hand in this position put it in left palm and initate iron-
ing clothes.
IRON (METAL) - Index finger position on left hand, palm right, tip
forward; S position on right hand, palm toward body, thumb-index
finger side up; strike little finger side of right hand downward and
forward against left index finger.
IS (TO BE) - Index finger position on right hand, palm left, tip up;
touch index finger to lips; move index finger forward.
ISLAND - Both I hands, palms toward body, little finger tips touching;
nake same motion as for PLACE.
ISRAELITE - See JEW.
ITALY - With tip of right I hand, draw a cross on forehead.
(NOTES)
- 71 -
- 72 –
— 73 -
- 74 -
JAIL - See PRISON.
JAPAN - Same sign for CHINA, but use tip of right J hand.
JEALOUS - Bite tip of right index finger, palm facing body; then with
right hand make a J.
JESUS - Both 5 hands, palms facing, tips up; touch tip of right middle
finger into left palm; then touch left middle finger into right palm.
Shows nail prints.
JEW - With tips pointing up, grasp chin with fingertips of right AND
hand; pull hand downward as if stroking a beard.
JOIN - See BELONG.
JOKE – See FOOL.
JOY - See DELIGHTED.
JUDGE - See EVALUATE.
JUMP - Make sign for STAND; then raise and lower right hand while
crooking and uncrooking right V fingers as if someone were jump-
ing up and down.
(NOTES)
- 75 -
- 76 -
- K -
KEEP - Left K hand, palm right, tips forward; right K hand, palm left,
tips forward; place right hand on top of left hand.
KEY, LOCK - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; X position on
right hand, palm toward body, thumb-index finger side up; touch
knuckle of right index finger in left palm and twist.
KILL - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; index finger position
on right hand; with tip of right index finger, strike the left palm in
a downward motion letting the right hand move on downward below
the left hand.
KIND - Left open hand, palm toward body, tips right; right open hand,
palm toward body, tips left, held between body and left hand; keep-
ing hands near the body, rotate the hands around each other a few
times as if wrapping a bandage around one of the hands.
KING - Right K hand palm left moved from left shoulder to right hip.
Represents royal banner authority often wears.
KINGDOM - Sign KING; then left open hand, palm, down, tips forward;
right open hand, palm down, tips forward, moves in horizontal
circle from right to left over left hand.
KNEEL - Left open hand, palm up; V position on right hand, tips down;
bend index and middle fingers and place in left palm in initation
of person kneeling.
KNIFE – Index finger position on left hand, palm right, tip forward;
right H hand, palm toward body, tips left; strike middle finger edge
against left index finger in a downward motion.
KNOW - Pat forehead with finger tips of right open hand, palm toward
face, tips up; shows you have something in there.
(NOTES)
- 77 -
- 78 -
- L -
LADY - Same sign as WOMAN (#1).
LAMB - Make sign for SMALL, then sign for SHEEP.
LAND (meaning NATION or COUNTRY) - See NATION.
LAND (meaning SOIL or GROUND) – See DIRT.
LANGUAGE - Same as SENTENCE, but leave period off.
LARGE – L position on both hands, palms facing and touching, index
fingers pointing forward; draw hands apart showing size.
LAST (meaning END) – See END.
LAST (meaning PREVIOUS) - See PAST.
LATE, NOT YET – Right open hand, tips down, palm back; hand held
at side about hip level is waved backward several times; shows
you are behind those already there.
LATER - See AFTER AWHILE.
LAUGH - See CHEERFUL.
LAW - Left open hand, palm right, tips up; place right L hand, palm
left, index tip up, in left palm, thumb toward body; do this several
times but lowering right hand each time showing laws.
LAZY - Palm of right L hand is tapped against left shoulder.
LEAD - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; right A hand, palm
left, grasps tips of left hand and pulls it forward.
LEARN – Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; tips of right AND hand,
fingers spread, are touched to left palm; now change to right AND
hand and touch tips to forehead.
LEAVE (meaning to PLACE or SET SOMETHING DOWN) - Both 5 hands,
palms facing, tips forward, thumb-side up; twist hands forward so
tips point down; lower hands slightly.
LEAVE (meaning LET ALONE, NOT BOTHER) - Make same sign as
for LEAVE (meaning to PLACE). To stress DO NOT BOTHER,
make signs for NOT AND BOTHER.
LEAVE (meaning to NEGLECT) - Make same sign as LEAVE (meaning
to PLACE, etc), but repeat the motion two or three times.
LEAVE (meaning to DEPART) - Both open hands, palms down, tips to-
ward left, left hand is held out a little farther to the left; pull both
hands back toward body changing into A hands.
- 79 -
LECTURE, SPEECH - Right open hand, palm up, held a little above
and in front of right shoulder, finger tips pointing toward right;
swing hand forward and backward several times.
LEMON - Left S hand, palm toward body, thumb-index finger side up;
right L hand, palm left, index finger pointing forward; place right
thunb against back of left hand; pull right hand down; now touch
tip of right index finger to lips and make face as if tasting some -
thing sour.
LESS - Left open hand, palm up, tips right; right open hand, palm down,
tips forward, are held above and crosswise of left hand; right hand
is lowered close to left to show annount of decrease.
LESSON – Left open hand, palm toward body, tips up; right angle posi-
tion on right hand, tips toward left, thumb-index finger side toward
body, place little finger edge of right hand near tips of left fingers,
then against heel of palm.
LET, PERMIT - See ALLOW.
LET ENOW - See INFORM.
LETTER - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; touch thumb tip of
right A hand to lips then into left palm (licking stamp and putting
on envelope).
LIEVEL - See EQUAL.
LIE - 1. Right B hand, palm down, tips left; index finger side is
pushed lengthwise across the lips from right to left.
2. Index finger of right hand, palm down, is pushed lengthwise
across lips from right to left.
LIFE - Both L hands, thumbs pointing up, palms touching body near
sides of stonnach; pull both hands upward.
LIGHT (WEIGHT) - Same sign as HEAVY except hands are raised as if
holding something light.
LIGHT - See BRIGHT.
LIGHTNING - With index finger of right hand, jerk hand downward in
zigzag motion as if tracing the outline of a bolt of lightning.
LIKE (meaning SAME or SIMILAR) –
1. Index finger position on both hands, palms down, tips for-
ward; touch sides of index fingers together.
2. Right Y hand (sometimes both hands are used), palm down,
tips forward; move hand back and forth horizontally in front of body.
LIKE (meaning PLEASED or ENJOY) - Right open hand, tips left, palm
toward body; touch thumb and middle finger to chest; draw hand for-
ward from body ending in an 8 hand, palm still faces body. Some -
times both hands are used in similar manner to make this sign.
- 80 -
LIMIT, RESTRICT –
1. Right angle position on both hands, tips pointing back toward
body, right hand slightly higher than left; rotate hands toward each
other until left tips point toward right and right tips point left; keep
hands same distance apart.
- 2. Right angle position on both hands, thumbs toward body,
left tips point right, right tips point left, right hand held above left
hand; lower right hand until tips of left hand touch heel of right
hand.
LION - Right 5 hand, fingers bent, palm facing down; held above and in
front of head; draw hand back over head as if combing lion's mane.
LIP READING - See SPEECH READING.
LIQUOR, WHISKEY - Left S hand, palm down; right B hand, palm to-
ward body, tips left; close or bend in the middle and third fingers;
this leaves the index and little fingers extended; tap little finger
side of right hand on top of left hand.
LIST - Left open hand, palm right, tips up; right angle position on right
hand, tips left, thumb index finger side toward body; touch tips of
right hand several times to left palm beginning at finger tips and
each succeeding time a little bit lower; shows the lines of writing.
LISTEN - See HEAR.
LITTLE (meaning SIZE) - See SMALL.
LITTLE (meaning AMOUNT) - Right X hand, palm up; rub tip of thumb
against tip of finger.
LIVE - Both A hands, thumb-side up, palms touching body near sides
of stomach; pull both hands upward.
LOAN - Hands in same position as BORROW but move hands forward
instead of backward.
LOCK - See KEY.
LONELY - Index finger position on right hand, palm left, tip pointing
up; draw index finger lengthwise down across mouth.
LONG - Left open hand, palm down, tips forward; index finger of
right hand, palm down is drawn up back of left arm from fingers
toward elbow.
LOOK (meaning SEE) - Make sign for SEE; turn hand so palm is down
and finger tips point in direction of thing seen.
LOOK (meaning to SEEM or APPEAR) – See APPEAR.
LOOK FOR - See INVESTIGATE.
} - 81 -
LORD - Right L hand, thumb against left shoulder, index finger point-
ing up; draw hand down to right hip. “. . . . . . .
LOSE, LOST - Right angle position on both hands, tips touching, palms
up; drop fingers so tips point down (represents bottom dropping out).
LOST - See LOSE.
LOVE - Both open hands, palms facing body, are crossed at wrists
and pressed to heart.
LUST – Make sign for HUNGRY.
LUTHERAN - Left open hand, palm right; thumb tip of right L hand
placed in left palm, right index finger pointing up.
(NOTES)
- 82 –
– 83 –
- 84 -
- M -
MACHINE - Both C hands, palms toward body, index-thumb sides up;
separate fingers and interlock fingers of both hands; now with hands
in this position, rock hands up and down so fingers initate me shing
of gears.
MAD - See ANGRY.
MAKE – Both S hands, palms facing, thumb-index finger side up;
strike right hand on top of left hand; twist both wrists so palms face
body and strike left hand again; repeat.
MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - See DOESN'T MATTER.
MALE – Make sign for BOY (#1).
MAN -
1. Thunb of right A hand, palm left, touches fore head; then
brought down and touched to chest as fingers open into a 5 hand
position, palm left, tips up.
2. Make sign for BOY then right hand, palm down, and measure
man's height.
MANAGE - See AUTHORITY.
MANUAL AI, PHABIET – See FINGER SPELLING.
MANY - S position on both hands, palms up, flip hands open with fingers
spread; repeat several times.
MARCH, PARADE - Both five hands, tips down, palms facing body;
right hand placed between left hand and body; swing fingers forward
and backward, in unison, several times; shows marching feet.
MARRY - Left C hand, palm up; right C hand, palm down; clasp hands
together.
MASTER - Make sign for AUTHORITY then add the - ER (suffix of
OCCUPATION).
MAYBE - See PERHAPS.
ME - Point index finger at your self.
MEAN (meaning a reference to character, i.e., "He is a Irlean nan. ''
- Both A hands, palms facing, thumb side up; right hand is raised a
few inches and then struck downward s
º O the kn
hit a glancing blow. e knuckles of both hands
MEAN (meaning INTENTION). - See INTENTION.
MEANTIME – See DURING.
- 85 -
MEASURE - Both Y hands, palms down; touch tips of thumbs together;
move hands to the right and touch thumb tips together again.
MEAT – Thumb and index finger of right 9 hand grasp fleshy part of
left hand between the thumb and index finger.
MEDICINE – Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; tip of middle
finger of right 5 hand touches and makes small circular motions
in left palm.
MEEK - See HUMELE.
MEET – Index finger position on both hands, palms facing, tips up;
bring both hands together so palms touch.
MEETING - See ASSEM.B.L.Y.
MELT - See DISAPPEAR.
MEMBER - Make sign for BELONG THEN SIGN – ER (suffix of
OCCUPATION).
MEMORIZE - Right 5 hand, tips up, palm toward face; slightly bend
fingers and touch tips to forehead; pull hand out from head ending
in an S hand.
MERCY, PITY - Make sign for FEEL (EMOTION); then both 5 hands,
tips forward, palms down middle fingers slightly bent; make motion
of stroking something.
MESSAGE (meaning SERMON or SPEECH) - See LECTURE.
METHODIST - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; tips of right M
hand, palm down, are touched to left palm; then make sign for
CHURCH.
MIDDLE – See CIENTER.
MIGHT (meaning POSSIBILITY) - See PERHAPS.
MIGHT (meaning STRENGTH) - See POWER.
MILK – Pretend to milk cow, with one hand.
MIND - Right C hand, palm toward face, thumb-index finger side up;
touch tips to forehead.
MINE, MY - Right open hand, palm toward body, is brought back against
che St.
MINUTE, SECOND - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; index
finger position on right hand, tip up; place right hand in left palm;
twist right hand slightly forward to represent minutes on clock.
MIRACLE - Sign WONDERFUL the WORK.
- 86 -
MIRROR - Left palm, facing body, tips up, held before face as if look-
ing in a hand mirror.
MISSION (meaning PLACES or AREAS WHERE RELIGIOUS ASSISTANCE
IS GIVEN) - Left S hand, palm down; tips of right M hand draws a
horizontal circle above left hand, then touches back of left hand.
MISSIONARY -
1. Make sign for MISSION, then add -ER (suffix of
OCCUPATION).
2. Index finger side of right M hand, tips down, is placed over
heart; then add -ER (suffix of OCCUPATION).
MISTAKE – See ERROR.
MISUNDERSTAND - Right V hand, palm left, tips up; touch tip of index
finger to forehead; then twist hand toward face and touch tip of
middle finger to forehead.
MIXED UP - See CONFUSION.
MOCK, RIDICULE – Little finger and index finger on both hands are
extended, all other fingers closed; both palms down and tips forward;
left hand held out in front of body; tip of right index finger touches
corner of mouth; then with left hand between right hand and body,
both hands are pointed and jabbed at per son being ridiculed.
MONDAY - With right M hand, tips down, draw small circle.
MONEY - Left open hand, palm up, tips right; pat back of right open
hand, palm up, tips left, into left palm.
MONKEY - Both 5 hands, tips down, palms toward body; slightly bend
fingers and scratch finger tips upward against sides of stomach;
puff out cheeks.
MONTH - Index finger position on left hand, palm forward, tip up; index
finger position on right hand, palm toward body, tip left; back of
right index finger touches back of left index finger then moved down
length of left hand.
MOON - Right C hand, palm forward; close all fingers except thumb
and index finger, place thumb-index finger side of right hand
against face near right eye; this shows crescent shape of moon;
now change to AND hand and move forward into a 5 hand similar
to SUN.
MORE - Both AND hands, tips up; move right hand up and over so tips
point down and touch tips of left AND hand.
MORNING - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right angle position
on right hand, tips up; bring right arm upward so wrists cross
and right fingers point upward.
– 87 -
MOST - See -ER (COMPARATIVE DEGREE).
MOTHER -
1. Thumb of right A hand placed to chin, palm left, leave
thumb touching chin while other fingers open up into a 5 hand.
2. Make sign for GIRL (#1), then hold both hands, palms up,
in front of body as if holding a baby.
MOTHER-IN-LAW - Sign MOTHER (#1) then sign LAW.
MOUNTAIN - Sign ROCK; then both open hands, palms facing, tips
forward, hands separated; move both hands upward and inward
tracing the sides of a mountain.
MOUSE - Tip of right index finger, palm left, tip up, is brushed against
tip of nose several times.
MOUTH - With right index finger, palm toward body, tip up, draw small
circle around lips showing outline of mouth.
MOVE - Pretend to pick up something with both AND hands, tips down,
on right side, move both hands to left side and pretend to put it
down.
MOVIE – Left 5 hand, palm right, tips forward; right 5 hand, palm left,
tips up; palms touching; right hand is twisted forwards and back-
wards several times; shows "flickering" of old time movies.
MUCH - Both 5 hands, palms facing, tips forward, fingers slightly
bent; touch tips together, then pull hands apart to show "how much".
MULE - Both open hands, palms forward, tips up; touch thumbs of
hands to respective sides of head; bend fingers forward and back to
show mules' ears.
MU LTIPLY - See ARITHMIETIC.
MUSIC, SING, SONG - Left open hand, palm down, tips forward; right
Open hand, palm toward body, tips left; right hand is waved back
and forth lengthwise over left arm.
MUST, NECESSITY, NEED - Right x hand, palm down; bring hand down
sharply several inches. The degree of need is shown by strength
of downward movement.
MY - See MINE.
MYSELF - Thumb of right A hand, palm left, is struck backward
against chest several times.
(NOTES)
- 88 -
– 89 –
– 90 -
NAKED - See BAR.E.
NAME - Both H hands; left palm right, tips forward; right palm toward
body, tips left; place right H fingers crosswise on left H fingers.
NAMED - Sign is same as NAME except both hands are moved forward
and downward.
NAPKIN - Sign WHITE then wipe lips with imaginary napkin.
NASTY - See DIRTY.
NATION - Left S hand, palm down; tips of right N hand, palm down,
draws small horizontal circle above left hand then comes to rest
by touching back of left hand.
NEAR - Right angle position on both hands, 1eft tips right, right tips
left; place right hand between body and left hand, then move right
hand toward, but not touching, left palm; shows nearness.
NEC ESSITY - See MUST.
NECKTIE - With both H hands, make motions of tying a tie.
NEED - see MUST.
NEGLECT - See LEAVE (meaning to NEGLECT).
NEGRO - Spell it.
NEIGHBOR - Make signs for NEAR then - ER (suffix for OCCUPATION).
NEPHEW - Right N hand, palm toward head, is shaken back and forth
near right temple.
NEVER - With right open hand, palm left, tips forward; draw large
question mark in front of body.
NEW - Both open hands, palms up, tips facing each other; back of
right hand brushes against palm of left hand moving from right to
left.
NEW TESTAMENT -
1. Sign BIBLE; then spell the initials: N. T.
2. Sign NEW, PART, BIBLE.
NEXT - Right angle position on both hands, thumb side up, tips facing;
right hand is placed between left hand and body then is moved up
and over left hand so left hand is now between right hand and body.
NICE - See CLEAN.
– 91 -
NIECE - Right N hand, palm left, is shaken back and forth near side of
chin.
NIGHT - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right angle position on
right hand, palm down, tips forward; place right wrist across left
wrist so right finger tips point downward.
NO (meaning REFUSAL) - Right 3 hand, palm down, tips forward; tips
of thumb, index and middle fingers brought together.
NO (meaning NONE) - See NONE.
NOBLE – Same movement as CHARACTER except use the right N hand.
NONE -
1. Both O hands, palms forward are crossed at wrists; moved
sharply toward respective sides.
2. Same sign as (#1), except as hands move toward respective
sides, open the hands into 5 hand positions.
NOON - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right open hand, palm
left, tips up; touch finger tips of left hand to crook of right elbow
showing sun directly overhead.
NORTH - Right N hand, palm down, moves toward North; if the
direction of North is not known, move the right N hand toward the
right.
NOSE - Point to nose.
|NOT -
1. Thunb of right A hand, palm toward left, placed under
chin and flipped forward.
2. Both Open hands, palms down, crossed at wrists; hands
are drawn apart toward respective sides. *
NOT YET – See LATE.
NOTHING - See NONE.
NOTIFY - See INFORM.
NOW - Both Y hands, palms up, tips forward; sharply drop both hands
a few inches.
NURSE - Tips of right N hand, palm down, are touched to inside of
left wrist; then sign - ER (suffix of OCCUPATION).
(NOTES)
- 92 -
– 93 -
– 94 –
- O -
OBEY - Tips of right open hand, palm toward body, touching forehead;
tips of left open hand palm toward body placed over heart; move
both hands outward and downward until palms face up.
OBJECTIVE - See AIM.
OBSTACLE - See BLOCK.
OBTAIN - See GET.
OCCASIONALLY, ONCE IN A WHILE, SOMETIMES - Make sign for
ONCE two or three times slowly and deliberately.
OCEAN, SEA - Make sign for WATER; then with both 5 hands, palms
down, initate the waves in the ocean.
ODOR, SMELL - Right open hand, palm toward face, tips left; brush
right fingers upward against tip of nose as if smelling something
on fingers.
OFFER, PROPOSE, SUGGEST - Both open hands, palms up, tips for-
ward, right hand near left wrist; while keeping both hands in this
position, move them forward.
OFFERING - Same sign as SALARY.
OFFICER - Right 5 hand, palm toward body, fingers bent; touch
finger tips to right shoulder then to left shoulder; shows shoulder
straps officers used to wear.
OF TEN - Sign AGAIN several times.
OIL - See GRAVY.
O. K. - See ALL RIGHT.
OLD – With right O hand, palm left, thumb-index finger side up, grasp
an innaginary beard at the chin and draw hand downward.
OLD TESTAMENT -
1. Sign BIBLE; then spell the initials: O. T.
2. Sign OLD, PART, BIBLE.
ON - Both open hands, palms down; place right palm on back of left
hand.
ONCE - Left open hand, palm right, tips, forward; index hand position
on right hand, palm toward body, tip left; touch tip to left palm;
twist right hand up so right index points up.
ONCE IN AWHILE - See OCCASIONALLY.
– 95 -
ONE ANOTHER - See FELLOWSHIP.
ONION - Touch knuckle of right X hand in corner of eye and twist.
ONLY - See ALONE.
ONWARD - See PROGRESS.
OPEN - The rever se of CLOSE.
OPPORTUNITY -
1. (see TIME (#1) - "We will give you the opportunity to
nake a decision now. "
2. (see CHALLENGE) - "We must accept every opportunity
God offers us."
3. (see WAY) - "I had the opportunity to go swimming today."
OPPOSE - Index position on both hands, palms toward body, tips of
index fingers touching; draw hands apart rapidly.
OPPOSITE - See OPPOSE.
ORANGE – Left S hand, palm toward body, thumb-index finger side up;
right Y hand, palm left, thumb and little finger pointing up; place
right thumbnail against back of left hand, pull right hand down in
initation of cutting an Orange for peeling.
ORDER - See COMMAND.
OTHER - See ANOTHER.
OUR - Right open hand, palm left, tips up; touch thumb side of right
hand to right shoulder; move hand in sermi-circle toward left
shoulder and touch little finger side to left shoulder; keep tips
pointing up.
OURSELVES - Right A hand, palm left; touch thumb side to right shoul-
der; move right hand in sermi-circle toward left shoulder and touch
thunb side to left shoulder.
OUT - Left O hand, palm toward body, thumb-index finger side up;
right AND hand, tips down is placed in left O hand then pulled up
and out and turned over so tips are pointing up. *
OVER - See ABOVE.
OVERCOME - See BEAT.
OW E - See DEB T.
OW L - O position on both hands, palms facing each other, are placed
over the eyes.
– 96 -
– 97 -
– 98 -
- P -
PAIN - Index finger position on both hands, palms toward body; tips
are jabbed at each other near the part of body where the pain occurs.
PAINT (meaning TO PAINT HOUSES, ETC.) - Left open hand, tips up,
palm right; right open hand, palm down, tips left; brush tips of
right hand up and down against 1ength of left palm as if painting.
PAINT (meaning TO PAINT PICTURES) - Make sign for DRAW; then
with right H hand, palm down, brush tips of right H fingers up
and down left palm.
PANTOMIME – See DRAMA.
PAPER - Right open hand, palm down, tips pointing forward; heel of
right hand is struck several times against heel of left palm facing
up, tips toward right.
PARADE - See MARCH.
PARD ON - See EXCUSE.
PART, SOME – Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right Open hand,
palm toward body, tips left; pull little finger edge of right hand back
across left palm as if cutting part of the left hand off.
PAST - Right open hand, tips up, palm back; held near right cheek;
flip hand backward over shoulder showing time behind us.
PATH, ROAD, STREET, WAY - Both open hands, palms facing, tips
forward, hands held several inches apart; move hands forward
as if outlining the winding edges of the road.
PATIENCE - See ENDURIE.
PAY - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; index finger position on
right hand, tip down, palm toward body; tip of right index finger is
touched to left palm and then flipped forward until right palm faces
down. Sometimes right P hand is used instead of right index finger.
PEACE - Right open hand, palm down, clasps left open hand, palm
up; change position so left hand is on top and right is on bottom;
now make sign for CALM except don't touch index finger to lips.
PEAR - Left AND hand, tips up; right AND hand, tips down, fingers
slightly spread; right hand is placed over left AND hand; then right
hand is pulled up and changed into index-finger position; now touch
tip of right index finger to tips of left AND hand (represents stem).
PEOPLE - Both P hands, index finger's pointing forward, are moved up
and down alternately in front of face and chest.
- 99 -
PEPPER – Sign for BLACK then shake right hand as "if holding a
shaker. "
PERFECT - Left P hand, palm up, index finger pointing forward;
right P hand, palm down, index finger pointing forward; place tip
of right middle finger on tip of left middle finger.
PERHAPS - Both open hands, palms up, tips forward; alternately
raise and lower hands several times.
PERIOD - Tips of thumb and index fingers of right X hand, palm for-
ward, touch; hand is jerked forward about an inch to show dotting
of a period.
PERMIT, LET – See ALLOW.
PERSECUTE - Make sign for HURT (meaning INJURE); then make
HURT again except use the left hand on top; then repeat with right
hand.
PERSEVERE - See CONTINUE.
PERSON – Both P hands, palms down, index fingers forward, are
moved downward a couple of inches.
PICK - See CHOOSE.
PICTURE – Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; thumb-index fin-
ger side of right C hand, palm forward, is touched to right side
of face near ear then noved down and placed in left palm.
PIE – Left open hand, palm up, tips right; using little finger edge of
right open hand, palm left, initate cutting a wedge of pie.
PIG - Put back of right open hand, palm down, under chin, fingers
pointing forward; wave fingers, up and down.
PING PONG - With right P hand, initate playing ping pong.
PINK – Right P hand, palm toward face, index finger up; stroke tip of
right middle finger down over lips.
PITY - See MERCY.
PLACE (meaning LOCATION) -
1. Both P hands, palms facing, index finger's pointing for-
ward; touch tips of both middle fingers; move both hands in semi-
circles back toward body, right to right, left to left; touch middle
fingers again near body.
2. This sign sometimes made with both A hands.
PLACE (meaning to put something some other place) - See MOVE.
PLAIN (meaning UNDERSTANDABLE) - See BRIGHT.
- 100 –
PLAN - See ARRANGE.
PLANE - See AIR PLANE.
PLANT (SEEDS) - Right AND hand, tips down; rub thumb back and forth
across finger tips imitating dropping of seeds; move hand forward
down innaginary row.
PLATE - Index finger position on both hands, palms and tips pointing
down, tips touching, now hands move backward and draw outline of
plate.
PLAY (ENTERTAINMENT) - See DRAMA.
PLAY (RECREATION) - Both Y hands, palms facing, tips forward;
twist both hands back and forth at the wrists rapidly several times.
PLEAD - Make signs for VOICE and then BEG.
PLEASANT (referring to the weather) - Both 5 hands, held at shoulder
height, tips up, palms back; wiggle fingers up and down indicating
the breeze blowing.
PLEASE - See ENJOY.
PLEASUR E - See ENJOY.
PLENTY - See ENOUGH.
PLUS – Cross index fingers in front of body to form a plus sign, palms
forward.
POLICE - Right C hand, palm left; close all fingers except the thumb-
index fingers; keeping right hand in this position, touch the thumb
and index finger side to left shoulder; fingers outlining the shield
or badge.
POLITE - Right 5 hand, palm left, tips up; side of right thumb is
touched to chest, then hand is twisted down until little finger touches
stormach with tips pointing down.
POOR - Left hand touching right shoulder; right hand plucks at left
elbow several times to show ragged sleeves.
POSSIBLE – See AIBILITY.
POSSIBLY - See PERHAPS.
POSTPONE - See DELAY.
POTATOES - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; tips of right V
hand, are poked at back of 1eft hand showing fork stuck in potatoes.
POUND - See WEIGHT.
- 101 -
POWER - Both S hands, palms facing, held out in front of chest; keep-
ing same distance apart, swing both hands in circular motion left
and down.
PRACTICE - Index finger position on left hand, palm toward body, in-
dex pointing right; A position on right hand, palm down; place right
hand so nails of fingers of right hand rest on left index finger; move
right hand back and forth length of index finger as if buffing finger
nails.
PRAISE - See APPLAUD.
PRAY - Both open hands, palms together, tips up, eyes closed; pull
hands backwards two or three times toward body to show entreaty.
PREACH - Right F hand, palm forward, tips up, held out in front of
shoulder; the hand and fore arm are moved forward several inches
and returned to original position; repeat several times.
PR RECIOUS – See IMPORTANT.
PREPARE - See ARRANGE.
PRESBYTERIAN - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; tip of
middle finger of right P hand is touched to left palm.
PRESENT (meaning GIFT) - See GIFT.
PRESENT (meaning NOW) - See NOW.
PRESIDENT - Both C hands, palms forward, touch respective temples;
move hands outward and slightly upward changing into S hands.
PRETTY - See BEAUTIFUL.
PREVENT - See BLOCK.
PRICE - See COST.
PRIEST - With right G hand, tips toward left, thumb-index finger side
next to throat; trace outline of clerical collar from left side of
throat to right side of throat.
--- When meaning a Catholic priest, sign CATHOLIC and then
PRIEST.
--- When meaning a Jewish priest, sign JEW then PRIEST.
PRINCE - Make same motion as for KING but use a P hand position.
PRINCIPAL - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right P hand,
palm down, index finger pointing forward; draw horizontal circle
over back of left hand.
PRINCIPLE - Make sign for LAW except use right P hand instead of L
hand.
- 102 -
PRINT - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right G hand, palm
down, thumb-index fingers forward; right hand held slightly beyond
left hand; pull right hand back into left palm while closing thumb
index finger; repeat several times.
PRISON - Left 5 hand, tips right, palm toward face; right 5 hand, tips
up, palm toward face; back of right hand placed in left palm so
fingers are cross-wise; represents prison bars.
PRIVILIEGIE - See HONOR.
PROBLEM -
1. See TROUBLE.
2. Both V hands, palms toward body, tips pointing at each
other, crook index and middle fingers; now bring fingers together
from sides as if two cars are colliding, repeat.
PROCLAIM - See ANNOUNCE.
PROC RASTINATE - See DELAY.
PROD - Both A hands, palms up, left hand in front of right hand; initate
holding a stick and then jabbing the stick forward as if prodding
COw S to move.
PROFIT – Thumb and index fingers of right 9 hand is pushed downward
several times near watch pocket on trousers indicating putting
money away for keeping.
PROGRESS - Right angle position on both hands, tips pointing toward
each other, thumb-index side up; move both hands forward, parallel
to floor, to show forward movement or progress; if progress is in
stages, move hands forward a short distance, stop; then move them
forward another short distance and stop.
PROMINENT - Right 10 hand, palm left, thumb pointing up; raise right
hand above head.
PROMISE -
1. Left S hand, palm right, thumb-index finger side up; right
index finger touched to lips; then palm of right open hand is slapped
down on top of left S hand.
2. Right index finger is touched to lips; then right open hand
held up near right side of head as if taking an oath in court.
3. Make sign for TALK; then make both S hands, palms down;
right wrist crossed over left wrist; both hands pushed downward
slightly to show your word is bound.
PROMOTION - See ADVANCE.
PROPHESY, VISION - Left open hand, palm toward face, tips right;
make LOOK with right hand; then push fingers of right hand between
middle and fourth finger of left hand; the eyes- see through a veil.
- 103 -
PROPHET - Make sign for PROPHESY plus -ER (suffix of
OCCUPATION).
PROPOSE - See OFFER.
PROTECT - See DEFEND.
PROUD – Right 10 hand, palm down, thumb pointing to and touching
right side of stonnach; move right hand upward so thumb is pulled
several inches up side of stomach.
PULL - See ENTICE (meaning to PULL, ATTRACT, etc.).
PUNISH – Left S hand, palm toward face, is held out from face; index
finger of right hand is struck downward against left elbow several
times; shows spanking of person held with left hand.
PUPIL - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; right P hand, palm
down, tips forward; thumb-index side of right hand is brushed
downward against left palm several times.
PURE - Same sign as HOLY except use right P hand position.
PURPLE - Right P hand, palm down, index finger forward; shake hand
in a twisting motion.
PURPOSE - See INT ENTION.
PUT - See MOVE.
(NOTES)
- 104 -
- 105 -
- 106 -
- Q -
QUARREL – Index finger position on both hands; palms toward body,
tips pointing toward each other; shake hands up and down from the
wrists.
QUEEN - Right Q hand; touch thumb and index finger side to left
shoulder, tips down, move hand down to right hip.
QUESTION MARK - With index finger position on right hand draw a
question mark.
QUICK - See FAST.
QUIET – See CALM.
QUOTE, THEME, TITLE – Both V hands, palms forward, tips up;
crook V fingers; hold both hands up about head level and twist both
hands from the wrists until palms are facing back; shows
quotation mark.
(NOTES)
- 107
- 108 -
- R -
RABBIT - Both H hands, palms toward body, tips up; cross hands at
wrists and held near face; wiggle fingers to show ears flopping.
RACE - See COMPETITION.
\
RAIN - Make sign for WATER; then both C hands, fingers spread palms
down, are lowered in jerks to show rain drops falling.
RAT - Right R hand, palm left, tips up; scratch end of nose with edge
of R fingers.
READ - Left open hand, palm toward body, tips up; right V hand, palm
down, tips pointing toward left palm; move tips of right V hand up
and down the left palm as if eyes were reading something.
READY -
1. Both R hands, palms facing up, tips pointing forward,
twist both hands so palms face döwn and tips point slightly toward
respective sides.
2. Sign FINISHED and PLAN.
REALLY - See TRUE.
REAP - Same sign as HARVEST.
REASON - Right R hand makes same motion as THINK.
REBEL - See DISOBEY.
RECEIVE - Same sign as GET.
RED - Rub end of right index finger down across lips several times.
$.
REDEEM -
1. Same as SAFE.
2. With both R hands, make same movements as SAFE.
RED EDICATE - Make signs for SURRENDER (#2) and AGAIN.
;
REFUSE, WON'T - Right S hand held near right temple, palm facing
left; jerk hand back over shoulder to show refusal.
REGULAR - Make sign for CORRECT; repeat this sign, right hand
striking top of left hand, several times as hands move forward.
REIGN - See AUTHORITY.
REJOICE - See DELIGHTED.
RELIGION - Tips of right R hand palm toward body placed on heart
then swung out and upwards toward the front, tips now point upwards.
- 109 -
REMEMBER - Make sign for KNOW; then both A hands, palms facing;
place right thumb on left thumbnail push both hands forward.
REMOVE, SUBTRACT - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward;
right C hand, palm toward left palm; touch tips of right C hand into
left palm; scratch right hand downward against left palm, closing
into a S hand as if taking something off; then open right hand as if
dropping it.
REPEATEDLY - Make same sign as AGAIN, but repeat several times.
REPLY - See ANSWER.
REQUEST - See ASK.
REQUIRE - See DEMAND.
RESPECT - Make same sign as HONOR except use a right R hand
position.
RESPONSIBILITY -
1. Put right hand on right shoulder and then put left hand on
top of right hand.
2. R hands are sonnetimes used.
RESTRICT - See LIMIT.
RESURRECTION - See ARISE.
REST - Fold both arms across the chest in the natural position of rest.
RETIRE (from a job) - Make signs for LEAVE and REST.
REWARD - See GIFT.
RICH - Make sign for MONEY; then turn right hand over with fingers
outspread and raise it upward to show the money heaped up.
RIDE – Left C hand, thumb-index finger side up, palm toward right;
index and middle fingers of right N hand, palm down, are draped
over left thumb; (make the SIT sign on the left thumb).
RIDICULE - See MOCK.
RIGID - See FREEZE.
RIGHT - See CORRECT.
RIGHTEOUS -
1. Make signs for RIGHT and then DO. º
2. Same sign as HOLY except use right R hand position.
RIVER - Make sign for WATER, then with both hands palms down,
initate water flowing forward and slightly downward.
- 1 1 0 -
ROAD - See PATH.
ROBIEER -
1. Both H hands, palms toward face, tips pointing toward
and touching each other, thumb-index finger side up; touch H fingers
to upper lip just below nose; pull hands to respective sides of face
so H fingers outline mask worn by robbers.
2. Make signs for STEAL and then - ER (suffix of OCCU-
PATION).
ROCK - Back of right S hand, palm up, is struck downward against
back of left S hand, palm down.
ROLLER SKATING - With bent V position on both hands, palms up,
initate skating.
ROME - Tips of right N, palm toward face, tips up; touch tips to center
of forehead and then again to end of nose; shows the nose guard
Roman soldiers had on their helmets.
ROOM - Both open hands, palms facing, tips forward; the se represent
two walls of a room; now left palm faces body, tips right; right
palm faces back of left hand, tips left; the se are the other two wall.
ROPE - Both R hands, palms toward body; touch tips of R fingers to-
gether; pull hands apart in a twisting motion initating the strands
in a rope.
ROWING - Imitate rowing a boat.
RUDE - Index finger position on both hands, palms down, tips forward;
move the right hand forward sharply so the sides of the index fin-
ger's hit; now as the right hand is pulled back, the left hand moves
forward and the index fingers hit again; repeat.
RUIN - See DESTROY.
RULE – See AUTHORITY.
RULES - Left open hand, palm right, tips up; right R hand, palm left,
tips up; touch tips of right R to palm of left hand several times,
but each time a little bit lower to show different rules.
RUN - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; right open hand, palm
left, tips down; brush fingers of right hand forward against the
left palm; repeat several times.
RUSSIA – Both 5 hands, palms down, are placed on and off respective
hips as Russians do in some dances.
(NOTES)
– l l l -
– l l 2 –
- S -
SACRIFICE - Both open bands, palms up, tips forward, little fingers
touching lengthwise; while keeping hands in this position, raise
thern forward and upward.
SAD - Both 5 hands, palms toward and in front of face, tips up; lower
your hands a short distance; have sad look on face.
SAFE, SALVATION, SAVE (REDEEM, DELIVER, FREE) - Both S
hands, palms toward body; cross wrists in front of chest; pull hands
to respective sides as they are twisted so palms face forward; your
hands were tied, but now the bonds are broken.
SALARY, WAGES - Make signs for EARN, then sign for MONEY.
SALT - Left H hand, palm down, tips right; touch tips of right H fin-
gers, palm toward face, to lips; then strike back of left H fingers
with palm side of right H finger's several times.
SALVATION - See SAFE.
SAME - See LIKE (meaning SAME #1).
SATAN - See D EVIL.
SATISFY - Make sign for FEEL (emotionally); then left open hand,
palm down, tips right, thumb touching chest; right open hand, palm
touching back of left hand, tips left; push both hands down a short
distance.
SATURDAY - Right S hand, palm forward; draw small circle.
SAVE (meaning SALVATION) – See SAFE.
SAVE (meaning SAVING, SOMETHING LIKE MONEY OR TIME) - Left
S hand, with palm facing body held near left shoulder; right V hand,
palm toward body; index and middle finger of right hand struck
sharply against back of left hand pulling it back toward shoulder.
SAVIOUR - Make sign for SAFE (SAVE); then add - ER (suffix of
OCCUPATION).
SAY, SPEAK - Index finger position on right hand, palm down, index
pointing left; right index makes small circles outward from mouth;
shows words tumbling out.
SCHOOL – Left open hand, palm up, tips right; right open hand, palm
down, tips forward; clap hands together as a teacher would to get
the attention of her students.
SCISSORS - Right H hand, palm left, tips forward; open and shut index
and middle fingers in initation of scissors.
– 113 -
SCOTLAND - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right 5 hand, palm
down, tips forward; place palm of right hand on back of left fore-
arm; pull right hand back toward body across back of left arm; now
turn right 5 hand over and place it on back of left forearm so tips
point left; slide right hand down length of left arm; shows plaid.
SCRIEAM, SHOUT - Right C hand, palm toward face, thumb touching
right side of lips and other finger tips touching left side of lips;
move right hand upward and forward as if pulling sound out of your
mouth.
SEA - Same sign as OCEAN; or spell it.
SEARCH - See INVESTIGATE.
SECOND (TIME) - See MINUTE.
SECRET – Right A hand, palm left, thumb side toward body; touch
thunbmail to lips.
SECRETARY - With right G hand initate taking pencil from behind
right ear; then pretend to write in left open hand, palm up; add
-ER (suffix of OCCUPATION).
SEE - Right V hand, palm toward face, tips up; touch tips of right V to
face just below the right eye; move hand forward in direction of the
thing seen so right palm is up.
SEEK - See INVESTIGATE.
SEEM, LOOK – See AIPPEAR.
SELECT - See CHOOSE.
SELFISH, STINGY - Both V hands, palms down, tips forward; as hands
are pulled back toward body, crook the fingers of both V hands,
shows raking something back to your self.
SELL - Both AND hands, tips down, held out in front of chest; swing
hands back and forth as if holding up some cloth for others to see.
SEMINARY - Make sign for JESUS, then sign for COLLEGE.
SEND – Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right open hand, palm
touching back of left hand, tips forward; move right hand forward
and away from 1eft hand (here it forms a right angle position) then
hand changes back into open hand position, tips forward, palm down.
SENTENCE - Interlock index finger and thumb of right 9 hand with the
index finger and thumb of left 9 hand; pull hands apart and toward
respective sides while twisting the hands up and down; represents a
chain or words. (If you want, make a PERIOD at the end of the sen-
tence.)
- 1 1 4 -
SEPARATE - Right angle position on both hands, fingers back to back
and tips pointing down; pull them apart.
SERVE - Both open hands, palms up, tips forward; move right hand
forward several inches while left hand is pulled back toward body;
reverse with left hand moving forward and right coming back toward
body; repeat.
SEVERAL - See F.E.W.
SEW - Left AND hand, tips right; pretend you are holding a needle in
the right 9 hand and sewing something held in the left hand.
SHADOW - See DARK.
SHARE – Left B hand, palm toward body, tips right; right B hand, palm
left, tips forward; little finger edge of right hand swung back and
forth along length of left index finger as if dividing something.
SHAVE - Touch thumb of right Y hand, palm down, to jaw near ear;
move right thumb down side of face several times initating shaving
with straight razor.
SHE - Point index finger at person about whom you're talking.
SHEEP - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right V hand, palm up,
tips forward; back of right hand is brushed up left arrn as if shear-
ing wool.
SHEPHERD - Make sign for SHEEP, then sign for KEEP, and add - ER
(suffix of OCCUPATION).
SHIELD - See D EF END.
SHIP - Make sign for BOAT (#1).
SHOE - 1. Both S hands, palms down; strike thumb-index finger sides
together several times.
2. Left C hand, palm up; right AND hand, palm down; insert
right AND hand into left C hand several times; palms are facing
each other.
SHORT (in LENGTH) - Left H hand, palm right, tips forward; right
H hand, palm toward body, tips left; middle finger of right hand is
placed crosswise of left index finger and is rubbed back and forth
about half the length of left index finger.
SHORT (in STATURE) - Measure height with open right hand, palm
down.
SHOUT - See SCRIEAM.
SHOW - See DEMONSTRATE.
– l l 5 –
SHUT (meaning TO CLOSE) - The reverse of OPEN.
SHUT UP -
1. Index finger position on right hand, palm left, tip up;
strike index finger of right hand back against lips.
2. Touch thumb of right C hand, tips facing up, to lips; close
fingers emphatically into AND hand with fingers touching lips.
SHY - See ASHAMED. *-
SICK - Both 5 hands, palms toward body, slightly bend the middle fin-
gers; touch tip of right middle finger to forehead and touch tip of
left middle finger to stomach.
SIGN LANGUAGE - See DACTY LOLOGY.
SILLY - See ABSURD.
SIMILAR - See LIKE.
SIN - 1. Index finger position on both hands, palms toward body,
tips of index fingers pointing toward each other; both hands make
sinnultaneous circles -- right hand clockwise to the right, and left
hand counter-clockwise to left.
2. Make sign for LAW, then sign for BREAK.
SINCE, UP TO NOW -
1. Index finger position on both hands, palms toward body,
and pointing toward floor; as hands are raised, they are turned so
index fingers point at body, then up, then forward, palms up.
2. Sign is made same as #1 except when the index fingers
point forward they change to Y hand positions, palms up.
SING - See MUSIC.
SINK – Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right V hand, tips down;
touch tips of right V hand to back of left fingers; open left fingers
so right V fingers go down between them; shows feet sinking into
mud.
SISTER - Make sign for GIRL (#1), then sign for SAME.
SISTER-IN-LAW - Make sign for SISTER then sign for LAW.
SIT (GROUP) - With both open hands, palms down, tips forward, lower
hands in natural notion for people to sit down.
SIT (INDIVIDUAL) - Both H hands, palms down, left H finger's pointing
to right, right fingers pointing forward; drape right H fingers over
back of left H fingers.
SKILLED - See EXPERT.
- 1 16 -
SKIRT - Both open hands, palms toward body, tips down, are placed
on hips; move hands downward and outward as if following folds of
a skirt.
SKUNK - Right K hand, palm down, is pulled over top of head backward;
shows white streak on a skunk's back.
SKY - 1. Right B hand, palm down, tips left, held above and in front
of left side of head; right hand moves in a wavy manner up and over
toward right side of head, palm up, tips right; the B hand represents
the blue of the sky.
2. This can be made with the right open hand.
SLAVE - Both S hands, palms down are crossed at wrists; both hands
are moved up and down in this position showing hands are tied to-
gether.
SLEEP -
1. Right 5 hand, palm toward face, tips up; as right hand is
lowered and changed into AND hand, the head is lowered slightly
and the eyes are closed.
2. Right Open hand, palm toward right side of face, tips up;
lay head over in palm of hand to show sleeping.
SLOW - Left B hand, palm down, tips forward; right open hand, palm
down, tips forward; pull right hand slowly over left hand from tips
back toward wrist.
SMALL - See LESS.
SMART - See BRILLIANT.
SMELL - See ODOR.
SMILE - See CHEERE"UL.
SMOOTH - Both open hands, palms up, tips forward; touch thumbs to
tips of little fingers; slide thumbs along tips of fingers until hands
change into A hand positions.
SNAKE – Right index finger moves outward in corkscrew motion from
under left palm.
SNOW - Make sign for WHITE, then both 5 hands, palms down, tips
forward, are lowered with fingers of each hand wiggling showing
the falling of flakes.
SO FORTH - See ETC.
SOAP - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right open hand, palm
down; rub tips of right hand down left palm several times as if rub-
bing a bar of soap. -
SOCKS - See HOSE.
- 1 17 -
SOFT - Both 5 hands, tips forward, palms up; lower both hands as they
change into AND hands; repeat two or three times; shows soft balls
of cotton.
SOIL - See DIRT.
SOLDIER – Both A hands, thumb-side up, palms toward body; left A
hand touched to body over heart; right A touched to waist below
left hand; shows soldier holding a gun.
SOME - See PART.
SOMETHING - Make sign for SOME then sign for THING.
SOMETIMES - See OCCASIONALLY.
SON - Sign for BOY (#1), then sign for BABY.
SONG - See MUSIC.
SORRY - Palm side of right S hand is rubbed against the heart in a
counter-clockwise motion.
SOUL, SPIRIT - Left 9 hand, palm up, tips right; right 9 hand, palm
down, tips forward; interlock the thumbs and index fingers; now
pull the hands apart, right moving upward and left moving down.
SOUR - See BITTER.
SOUTH - Right S hand, palm down, moves toward South; if the direc-
tion is not known, move right S hand toward the right.
SPAIN - Both X hands, touch tips of index fingers to shoulders; bring
both hands forward and down and lock index fingers in front of body,
left palm facing up, right facing down.
SPAINK - See PUNISH.
SPEARS - See SAY.
SPEECH - See LECTURE.
SPEECH READING (LIP READING) - Right V fingers point at lips, palm
toward body, and move fingers back and forth in front of lips.
SPELLING - See FINGER SPELLING.
SPEND - Left open hand, palm up, tips right; back of right AND hand,
tips left, is placed in left palm; right hand as it moves toward right
over end of left finger tips changes into a 5 hand, palm up, and tips
pointing toward the right.
SPIDER - Cross hands at wrists with little fingers interlocked and palms
facing down; wiggle fingers initating a spider walking.
- 1 18 -
SPIRIT - See SOUL.
SPOON - Left open hand, palm up; right H hand, fingers bent slightly,
scooped in left palm as if eating soup or ice cream. (This sign is
sometimes used for ICE CREAM).
SPRING - Make sign for GROW; then touch tip of right X hand, palm
down, to back of left wrist, palm down.
SQUIRREL - Both V hands, tips up, palms facing and touching, fingers
crooked; with tips of index fingers almost touching nose, hit tips
together several times in front of nose.
STAND (GROUP) - Reverse of SIT (GROUP).
STAND (INDIVIDUAL) - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right V
hand, tips pointing down; touch tips of right V into left palm.
START - See BEGIN.
STATUE - See IDOL.
STAY - 1. Same sign as CONTINUE.
2. Right Y hand, palm down, thumb and little finger's pointing
forward; right hand is sharply moved downward a couple of inches.
STEAL - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right V hand held under
left elbow, palm toward body, tips left; pull right hand toward right
while bending the index and middle fingers.
STILLNESS - See CALM.
STINGY - See SELFISH.
STOCKINGS - See HOSE.
STOP - Left open hand, palm up, tips right; right open hand, palm left,
tips forward; strike little finger edge of right hand downward against
left palm.
STORE - Make sign for SELL, then sign for HOUSE.
STORY - Left 9 hand, palm right, tips forward; right 9 hand, palm left,
tips up; lock together thumb and index finger of right hand with
thumb and index of left; pull hands apart several inches; repeat
several times.
STRAY - See D EV IAT. E.
STREET – See PATH.
STRING - See CORD.
- 1 1 9 –
STRONG - Right open hand, tips left, palm down; touch thumb to left
shoulder; then move hand down so little finger touches crook of
left arm; right hand imitates following the outline of left arm
muscle; strength is indicated by the size of muscle you outline.
STUBBORN – Make sign for MULE using one hand only and bend fingers
forward once with enphasis.
STUDENT - Make sign for STUDY and -ER (Suffix of OCCUPATION).
STUDY - Left open hand, tips up, palm right; right open hand, palm
down, tips toward left palm; wiggle finger of right hand as it moves
toward and away from left palm.
STUPID – See D'UMB.
SUBSTITUTE - See EXCHANGE.
SUBTRACT - See REMOVE.
SUCCEED - Index finger position on both hands, palms toward body,
tips pointing toward respective sides of mouth; swing both hands
forward and upward so palms are f^*ward and tips point up.
SUFFER – Both S hands, palms toward body, thumb-index finger sides
up; right hand on top of left hand; both hands remain close to chest
as right hand rotates slowly outward around left hand.
SUFFER (meaning to HAVE PATIENCE) - See ENDURE.
SUGAR - Make sign for SWEET.
SUGGEST - See OFF ER.
SUIT - See CLOTHING.
SUMMARIZE – Left O hand, palm right, thumb-index finger side up;
right 5 hand, palm down, tips left; move right hand in large, hori-
zontal, clockwise circle over left hand; change to AND hand and
place tips in left O hand.
SUMMER - Right X hand, palm down; index finger of right hand is pulled
across forehead from left to right showing per spiration being wiped
from brow.
SUN - With tip of right index finger pointing forward, draw a circle in
the air above and in front of the head; then make a right AND hand,
tips pointing down; move the hand forward and downward changing
into a 5 hand.
SUNDAY - Both open hands, palms forward, tips up; right hand makes
clockwise circle to right; left hand makes counter-clockwise circle
to left, circles are made simultaneously.
- 120 -
SUNRISE - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right O hand, palm
left thumb index side toward body, is moved under left hand and
thumb-index finger side of right hand is slowly raised up little fin-
ger side of left hand; shows sun rising.
SUNSET – Reverse the procedure for SUNRISE. Shows sun going down.
SUPERINTEND ENT -
1. Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right open hand,
palm down, tips forward draws a horizontal circle over back of left
hand; then add - ER (suffix of OCCUPATION).
2. In some areas, the sign for PRESIDENT is used.
SUPERVISOR - Both V hands, palms facing; tips forward; right hand
placed on top of left hand; both hands in this position make a hori-
zontal circle in front of body; add -ER (suffix of OCCUPATION).
SUPPER – Make signs for EAT and NIGHT.
SUPPORT - Left S hand, palm down; right S hand, palm 1eft, thumb-
index finger side toward body; right hand moves under and pushes
up against left arm showing support.
SURPRISE - See ASTONISH.
SURRENDER -
1. (meaning to give up because of exhaustion or to surrender
to the police, etc.) - See GIVE UP.
2. (meaning to surrender your self and to give your all to a
person or cause) - Both C hands, palms toward body, thumb-index
finger sides up, right hand above left; initate grasping a shirt front;
close hands in S position; now pull hands forward and opening them
so palms are up, tips forward; shows act of pulling your self forward
and giving your self to the person or cause.
SUSPECT - Tip of right index finger, palm toward face, is scratched
against forehead several times.
SUSPEND - Index finger position on left hand, palm down, tip right;
index finger of right hand is crooked, palm down; reach right index
over and grasp left index with the crook; lift both hands upward.
SWEAR - See C URSE.
SWEET – Right open hand, tips up, palm toward body; tips of right
hand are drawn downward over lips several times.
SWEETHEART - Both C hands, palms toward body, thumb-index finger
sides up; touch fingers together (nails of right fingers touching nails
of left fingers); now move thumbs so they point up; bend and unbend
them; sometime s little fingers are interlocked.
SWIMMING - Imitate swimming the breast stroke.
- 12.1 -
SYMPATHY - Make signs for FEEL then WITH.
(NOTES)
- 122 -
- 123 –
- 124 –
- T -
TABLE – Index finger position on both hands, palms toward body, tips
down; point both fingers at floor to show two legs of table; move
hands back toward body and point both fingers again showing other
two legs; now both B hands, palms down, tips forward; touch index
fingers together lengthwise; now move hands from center toward
sides to show table top.
TAKE - See GET.
TAKE CARE OF - Same sign as KEEP, then hands make a horizontal
circle in front of body.
TALK (meaning CONVERSATION) - Index finger position on both hands,
palms facing, tips up; touch right index to lips; then right index
swings forward; then as it swings back to lips the left index swings
forward; repeat several times.
TALK (meaning SPEECH) - See LECTURE.
TALL - Left open hand, palm right, tips up; index finger position on
right hand, index finger pointing up, palm forward; place thumb-
index finger side of right hand in left palm and move right hand up-
ward showing degree of height.
TASTE - Right 5 hand, middle finger slightly bent, palm toward face;
touch tip of right middle finger to tongue.
TEA – Thumb and index finger of right 9 hand is placed in left O hand,
thumb-index side up; in this position, move right hand as if stirring
the tea with a spoon.
TEACH - Both AND hands, palms down, tips touching forehead; turn
hands so tips of both AND hands point forward; hands are jabbed
forward two or three times; shows taking something out of your
mind and putting it in someone else's mind.
TEASE - Make sign for HURT except right hand hits across left hand
gently several times; teasing is gentle "hurting".
TELEPHONE – Right Y hand, palm toward head; touch thumb to right
ear and little finger to mouth.
TELL – Index finger position on right hand, palm down, tip left; place
right index finger under bottom lip; move the hand forward with a
twist so the index finger flips up and forward with palm up.
TEMPLE – Left S hand, palm down; right T hand, palm down; draw a
small horizontal circle over back of left hand; then end with right
hand resting on back of left hand.
TEMPTATION - Tip of right index finger taps left elbow several times;
left hand held near right shoulder.
- 125 -
§
TERRIBLE – See AWFUL.
TENNIS - Imitate serving a tennis ball.
TEST - See EXAMINATION.
THAN - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right open hand, palm
down, tips forward; right fingers slap downward against back of
left fingers; left fingers bend to right angle position.
THANK YOU - Right palm facing body, tips touching lips, hand is moved
forward and downward so palm faces up.
THAT, THIS - Right Y hand, palm down, is placed in left open hand,
palm up.
THEIR - See HERS.
THEM - Point index finger at whoever or whatever you're talking about.
THEME - See QUOTE.
THEMSELVES - See HERSELF.
THEN - See AND THEN.
THERE -
1. With right index finger, point to the place.
2. With right open hand, palm up, tips forward, point in
general direction.
THESE - Right index finger points out what the speaker is referring to.
THEY - Point index finger at whoever or whatever is being referred to.
THIEF - See ROBE ER.
\ }
THIN - 9 position on right hand, palm toward face, tips left; put tip of
index finger on left cheek and tip of thumb on right cheek; pull hand
downward while sucking in the lips.
THING - Right open hand, palm up, tips forward; lower the hand sharply
a few inches; then repeat two or three times moving the ‘hand to the
right.
THINK, THOUGHT - Tip of right index finger, palm facing body, makes
small circular motion on forehead to show thoughts turning over.
THIRSTY - Index finger position on right hand; tip of right index finger
is touched to throat under chin and then pulled downward several
inches.
THIS - See THAT.
THOSE - Right index finger points out what the speaker is referring to.
- 126 -
THRILLED - See EXCITED.
THROUGH – Left open hand, palm toward face, tips up; right open hand,
palm left, tips forward; push the right hand forward between the
middle and third finger of 1eft hand.
THROW - Imitate holding something in right hand and throwing it.
THUNDER - Make sign for LIGHTNING; then with both S hands, palms
down, shake them back and forth alternately with emphasis showing
the jarring of the thunder.
THURSDAY - Right T hand quickly changes to an H hand which draws
small circle.
TIME -
1. Tip of index finger of right X hand, palm down, is tapped
to back of left S hand near wrist.
2. Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; palm of right T
hand is placed in 1eft palm; right hand then draws small circle in
left palm.
TIMID - See ASHAMED.
TIRED - Both open hands, palms toward stomach, tips down; touch tips
of hands to respective sides of stomach; leave tips touching body
as arms and hands are lowered so that palms of hands are facing
up, tips still touching body.
TITLE - See QUOTE.
TO – Index finger position on both hands; left hand held out from body,
tip up, palm facing body; right hand, palm down, tip pointing toward
left index finger; right hand moves directly to left hand so tips of
index fingers touch.
TOAST - Left open hand, palm right, tips up; touch tips of right V fin-
gers, palm down, into left palm; left hand then twists so left palm
faces body; right V fingers then touched to back of left hand; shows
fork stuck in both sides of a piece of bread.
TODAY - Make sign for NOW and then sign for DAY.
TOGETHER, WITH - Both A hands, palms facing and touching; thumb-
side up; hands held together out in front of body.
TOMATO – Left AND hand, thumb-index finger side up, tips right; make
sign for RED with right index finger; then with right index finger,
initate slicing a tomato held by left AND fingers.
TOMORROW - Right A hand, thumb-side up, palm facing and touching
right cheek; twist hand forward so thumb points forward.
TOOTHBRUSH - Index finger moved near teeth as if brushing them.
- 127 –
TOTAL - See ADD (meaning TOTAL).
TOUCH - See FEEL.
TOWARD - Same sign as TO except right index finger does not touch
left index finger.
TOWN - Bring tips of hands together as if making sign for HOUSE, now
separate hands and hit tips together several times to show tops of
many houses.
TRADE - See EXCHANGE.
TRAFFIC – Both 5 hands, palms facing each other, tips up, hands about
one inch apart; move both hands back and forth alternately and
rapidly several times.
TRAIN - Left H hand, palm down, tips right, fingers spread slightly;
right H hand, palm down, tips forward, fingers spread slightly is
placed crosswise on back of left H fingers; move right fingers
back and forth the length of left fingers.
TRAVEL -
1. Index finger position on both hands, left tip up, right tip
down; both palms toward body, index fingers are circled around
each other and at the same time the hands are moved forward and
outward.
2. Right index finger pointing down, palm toward body; move
right hand forward in zigzag motion as if tracing a crooked path.
TREASURER - Make signs for MONEY, then KEEP, then -ER (suffix
of OCCUPATION).
TREE – Left open hand, palm up, tips right; right 5 hand palm left,
tips up; place right elbow in left palm; twist right hand back and
forth showing branches moving in the breeze.
TRESPASS - See SIN.
TRINITY - Left C hand, palm right, thumb-index finger side up; right
3 hand, palm toward face, tips up; lower right 3 hand down through
left C hand; right 3 changes into a 1 as it comes out bottom of C.
TRIUMPH, VICTORY, WIN - Right A hand, palm left, thumb-side up;
wave hand in circular motion above head as if waving a flag.
TROUBLE, WORRY - Both open hands, palms facing, tips up; right
hand held up near right side of head; left held near left side of
head; right hand moves toward left and slightly forward; left hand
moves toward right and slightly forward; alternate and repeat.
TROUSERS - Both open hands, palms toward legs, tips down, slide
them up legs to waist as if putting on trousers.
TRUE, VERILY - Same sign as IS but made more emphatically.
- 128 -
TRUST -
1. Both C hands, thumb-index finger sides up, right palm
left and left palm right; right hand placed on top of left hand and
both held to front and right side of body; pull both hands back to-
ward body and change to S hands; shows grasping something and
pulling it toward body.
2. Both C hands, palms up, left hand in front of right hand;
both hands close to S hands while dropping slightly.
TRY - Both S or T hands, palms facing, thumb-index finger sides up;
push both hands forward with emphasis.
TUESDAY - Right T hand, palm left, thumb-index finger side up; draw
small circle.
TURKEY - With right Q hand, rest knuckle of right index finger against
nose, tips pointing down; shake the Q fingers to show turkey's
wattle.
TURTLE - Right A hand, palm left, thumb side up; place left open hand,
palm down, tips right, over top of right hand but let tip of right
thumb protrude out from under the left hand to represent the turtle's
head; wiggle right thumb.
(NOTES)
- 129 -
- 130 -
- U -
UGLY - Index finger position on both hands, palms facing, index fingers
pointing up; cross index fingers in front of face; as hands are pulled
to respective sides, bend the index fingers into X positions.
UMBRELLA - With right S hand on top of left S hand, thumb-index
finger side up, initate opening an umbrella. *
UNCLE - Shake letter U at right temple, palm toward head.
UNDER - See BIELOW.
UNDERSTAND - Right S hand, palm toward face; touch thumb of right S
hand to forehead; flip right index finger upward; when we understand
our thinking is "straight".
UNDERWEAR – Left open hand, palm toward body, tips right; with
right hand, make sign for CLOTHING between left hand and body.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Spell the initials; or see AMERICA.
UNIVERSITY - See COLLEGE.
UNTIL - Same sign as TO except right index finger moves up, Gºver
and down in arc to touch left index finger.
UP - Point up with right index finger.
UP TO NOW - See SINCE.
UPHOLD - See SUPPORT.
URGE - See ENCOURAGE.
US - Right U hand, palm toward body, tips up; touch tips of right U
fingers to right shoulder, then touch them to left shoulder.
USE - Right U hand, palm forward, tips up; draw small circles; hand
held out from body.
(NOTES)
- 131 -
- 132 -
WACATION - See HOLIDAY.
WALLEY - Both open hands, palms down, tips forward, are held at
shoulder height and about two feet apart; as hands move toward
each other, let them move downward as if outlining the sides of a
valley; sides of index fingers touch.
VALUABLE – See IMPORTANT.
VANISH - See DISAPPEAR.
VARIOUS - See DIFFERENT.
VARY - Index finger position on both hands, palms down, tips forward;
alternately raise and lower each hand two or three times.
VERILY - See TRUE.
VERSE – Left open hand, palm right, tips up; right G hand, thumb-index
side toward body, tips toward left; move tips of right G fingers
across left palm from thumb to little finger.
VERY - Both V hands, palms facing, tips forward; touch tips together
then pull them apart.
VICTORY - See TRIUMPH.
VINEGAR - V position on right hand, palm left, tips up; touch index
finger to lips.
VISION - See PROPHESY.
VISIT - Both V hands, palms up, tips forward; each hand alternately
makes a circle; up-forward-down-back, repeat several times.
VOICE - Right V hand, tips up, palm toward body; touch tips of right
V to throat below Adam's apple, then raise finger tips up throat
until they touch lower jaw.
VOLUNTEER - Thumb and index finger of right F hand clutches right
coat lapel and pulls forward.
VOTE – Left O hand, thumb-index finger side up; right 9 hand, thumb
and index finger pointing down; jab thumb and index fingers of right
hand down into left O hand several times as if stuffing ballots in a
ballot box.
(NOTES)
- 133 -
- 134 –
WAGES - See SALARY.
WAIT - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward, held out in front of
body; right open hand, palm up, tips pointing forward; right hand
held near left wrist; wiggle fingers of both hands.
WAKE UP - G position on both hands; on each hand touch tips of index
finger to tip of thumb; place the tips at the outside corner of the
eyes, palms toward face; leave thumbs in this position and flip the
index fingers up.
WALK - Both open hands, palms down, tips forward; move hands for-
ward alternately in initation of footsteps.
WANDER - See DEVIATIF.
WANT - Both C hands, palms up, fingers spread; flex finger tips as if
grasping for something.
WAR - See BATTLE.
WARM - Right A hand is held in front of the lips, palm facing lips;
move hand slightly forward and upward while fingers open up (make
sign for FEW).
WARN – Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right open hand, palm
down, tips forward is patted downward on back of left hand several
time s.
WAS – See PAST.
WASH (BODY) - Both A hands, palms facing and touching body, rubbed
up and down chest.
WASH (CLOTHES) - A position on both hands, left palm up, right palm
down, rub the hands together.
WASH (FACE) - Pretend you are washing your face.
WASTE - See SPEND.
WATER – Index finger of right W hand, palm left, tips up, is tapped
against lips.
WATER MELON - Middle finger of right hand is held under right thumb,
other fingers extended; now flip right middle finger down on back of
left S hand showing testing ripeness of the melon.
WAY - Make the sign as explained under PATH, but use both W hands.
- 135 -
W E - l. Index finger position on right hand; tip of right index finger,
palm toward body, is touched to right shoulder then to left shoulder.
2. Index finger side of right W hand, tips up, palm left, is
touched to right shoulder, then to left shoulder.
WEAK - Left open hand, palm up, tips forward; right open hand, tips
down, palm right; touch tips of right hand into left palm; bend right
fingers to represent weak knees.
WEARY - See TIR.E.D.
WEDDING - Left G hand, tips pointing down, extend other fingers;
right angle position on right hand, tips down; swing both hands in-
ward and upward until right hand comes between thumb and fingers
of left hand.
WEDNESDAY - Right W, palm forward, tips up; draw small circle.
WEEK - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; right G hand, palm
left, index finger and thumb up; right palm placed in left palm; slide
right hand forward across left palm until it comes to rest on end of
left fingers.
WEEP - See CRY.
WEIGH, POUND - Left H hand, palm right, tips forward; right H hand,
palm toward body, tips left; balance right H hand crosswise of left
H hand; move right hand up and down in a see saw motion; shows
movement of scales.
WEIRD IDEAS - Same sign as INVENT (with one hand) then continue
moving hand upward in circular motions.
WELCOME - See INVITE.
WELL - Both open hands, palms toward body, tips facing; place hands
against chest then move hands forward while changing to S hands.
WEST - Right W hand moves toward West; if direction of West is not
known, move right W hand toward the right.
WET – Touch tip of index finger of right 5 hand to lips, palm toward
body; then make sign for SOFT with both hands.
WHAT - Left 5 hand, palm right, tips forward; index finger position on
right hand, draw right index finger down across left fingers.
WHAT EVER - See DOESN'T MATTER.
WHEN -
1. Index finger position on both hands, palms facing, tips up;
hands held in front of body about one foot apart; both index fingers
are swung toward each other and then swung on down so they point
to the floor.
- 136 -
2. Index finger position on both hands, left palm up, tip for-
ward; right palm down, tip forward; right tip makes horizontal
circle as it moves forward and downward to touch tip of 1eft index
finger.
WHERE -
1. Both open hands, palms up, tips forward; right hand move s
toward right side and returns while left hand moves toward left
side and returns; both hands moving simultaneously; repeat.
2. Sometimes made with one hand only.
WHEREVER - See DOESN'T MATTER.
WHICH - Both 10 hands, palms facing and thumbs up; right hand moves
up and then returns to position; left hand does the same; hands
move alternately.
WHILE - See DURING.
WHISKEY - See LIQUOR.
WHITE - Palm of right 5 hand touches chest, tips left; draw hand for-
ward changing to AND hand.
WHO - Index finger position on right hand; right index finger pointing
toward lips; make small circular motions around lips as they form
word 'who''.
WHOEVER - Make signs for DOESN'T MATTER and PERSON.
WHOLE - See ALL
WHY - Right open hand, palm toward face, tips up; touch tips to fore -
head; move hand downward and outward ending in Y hand position,
palm up.
WICKED - See SIN.
wiFE - Make sign for GIRL (#1), then sign for MARRY.
WILL (meaning DESIRE or WISH) - See WANT.
WILL (meaning FUTURE) - See FUTURE.
WIN - See TRIUMPH.
- 137 -
WIND - Both 5 hands, palms facing, tips forward; move hands to the
left and right several times showing the wind movement in the tree
branches. -
WINDOW - Both open hands, palms toward body; right tips left, left
tips right; little finger side of right hand rests on top of index fin-
ger side of left hand; raise right hand a few inches showing window
being raised.
WINE - Right W hand, palm left, tips up; touch right index finger to
right cheek and draw small circle; W stands for wine and the cheek
for pink color.
WINTER - See COLD.
WISE; WISDOM - Right X hand, palm down, thumb-index finger side
toward face; move right hand up and down so crooked index finger
rubs up and down against the forehead.
WISH - 1. Same as WANT when expressing a simple desire.
2. Same as HUNGRY when expressing an intense desire.
WITH - See TOGETHER..
WITHIN - See IN.
WITHOUT - Make sign for WITH, then hands are separated and change
to 5 hands, palms down, tips forward.
WOLF - Right C hand, fingers separated, palm and tips toward face;
touch tips of right hand to face around the nose; pull hand out into
an AND hand; shows wolf's long nose.
WOMAN -
1. Thunb of right A hand, palm left, touches chin; then
brought down and touched to chest as fingers open into a 5 hand
position, palm left, tips up. -
2. Make sign for GIRL then right hand, palm down, measures
woman's height.
WONDER -
1. Sign THINK.
2. Sometimes this is signed by touching index finger of right
W hand, tips up, to forehead and making motion as for THINK.
WONDERFUL - Both open hands, palms forward, tips up, near sides of
face; move both hands slightly forward and upward.
WON | T - See REF USE.
WOOD - Left open hand, palm down, tips right; right open hand, palm
left, tips forward; little finger edge of right hand is rubbed back and
forth across the back of the left hand in a "sawing" motion.
- 138 -
WORD - Index finger position on left hand, palm right, tip up; with thumb
and index finger of right G hand, thumb-index finger side toward
body, measure the first and second joints of left index finger; i.e.,
tip of right index touches tip of left index and right thumb touches
middle of left index.
WORK - Both S hands, palms down; strike right wrist downward several
times against back of left wrist.
WORLD - Left W hand, palm toward body, tips right; right W hand,
palm toward body, tips left; right hand placed on top of left hand;
right hand then circles left hand by moving out, down, back, and
up on top again.
WORM - Left open hand, palm right, tips forward; index finger position
on right hand, palm down, tip forward; index finger side of right
hand is placed in left palm and moved forward as right index wiggles
up and down in initation of a worm.
WORRY - See TROU BE_E.
WORSE - Make same sign as ARITHMETIC except right hand brushes
across left hand one time.
WORSHIP - Make sign for AMEN.
WORTH, WORTHY - See IMPORTANT.
WORTHLESS - Sign WORTH then sign NOT (#2).
WOW! - This sign is often used as a response to something quite start-
ling such as a dreadful wreck or a beautiful picture or a great
expense, etc. -- Right 5 hand (sometimes both hands are used),
tips left, palm toward stomach; hand is twisted up and down from
the wrist so tips point up and then down; repeat as necessary to
show annazement.
WRESTLE – Both 5 hands, palms facing, tips forward; interlock fingers;
now move hands up and down from the wrists several times.
WRITE – Left open hand, palm up; with thumb and index finger of right
hand, other fingers closed in palm, pretend you are writing in left
palm.
WRONG - See ERROR.
(NOTES)
- 139 -
- 140 –
- Y -
YEAR - Left S hand, palm facing body; place right S hand, palm toward
body on top of left hand; circle left hand with right hand -- forward,
down, back and up on top again in original position.
YELLOW - Make right Y hand and shake it in twisting manner in front
of chest. $
YES - Right S hand, palm down; bend hand up and down several times.
YESTERDAY - Right Y hand, palm forward, tips up; touch tip of thumb
to edge of mouth; then touch tip of thumb to ear.
YOU - Point index finger at person to whom you're speaking.
YOUNG - Both open hands, palms toward body, tips down; place finger
tips on chest and brush upwards several times.
YOUR - See HERS.
YOURSELF - See HERSELF.
NOTES)
- 141 -
- 142 –
Z EALOUS - See EAGER.
(NOTES)
- 143 –
- 144 -
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
20.
21.
22.
23.
30.
NUMBERS
Hold up index finger of right hand, palm forward.
Hold up index and middle finger, palm forward.
Hold up thumb, index and middle fingers, palm forward.
Hold up index, middle, ring and little fingers; palm forward.
Hold up all 5 fingers, palm forward.
Touch thumb to tip of little finger, palm forward, other fingers up.
Same as 6 except thumb touches tip of ring finger.
Same as 6 except thumb touches tip of middle finger.
Same as 6 except thumb touches tip of index finger.
Right A hand, palm left, thumb extended higher than for A and
pointing up; slightly shake right hand.
Right S hand held out from body, palm toward face; flip up index
finger.
Same as l l except index and middle fingers are flipped up.
Same as 11 except thumb, index and middle fingers are flipped up.
Same as 11 except index, middle, ring and little fingers are flipped
up.
Samie as l l except all 5 ſingers are flipped up.
Make 10 (don't shake thumb) then twist hand so palm is out and
make 6.
Make 10 (don't shake thumb) then twist hand so palm is out and
make 7. 18 and 19. Same idea as 16 and 17.
Right L hand, palm forward; touch thumb and index tips together
(leave other fingers closed).
Right L hand, palm forward; move hand slightly to right as thumb
closes leaving only index finger extended.
Same as 21 except as right hand moves to right it changes into a
2 hand.
-- 29. Same idea as 21 and 22.
Right 3 hand, palm forward, tips up; move right hand slightly to
right and then make O.
- 145 –
31. Right 3 hand, palm forward, tips up; move hand slightly to right
and make 1.
*
32. -- 99. Same idea as explained above.
100. Make sign for l, then make letter C. C stands for Roman
numeral 100.
1,000 - Sign for 1 and touch right M. fingers in left palm which faces
right with tips forward. M stands for Roman numeral 1, 000.
l, 000, 000 - Sign for 1 and touch right, M fingers in left palm which faces
right with tips forward, two times.
1674 – Make 1, then 6, then 7, then 4; (palm outward). -- Sometimes
combinations are used; the above method is the preferred.
ONE - HALF - Sign for ONE, then drop hand a few inches and make sign
of TWO. (CONTINUE IN LIKE MANNER FOR OTHER FRACTIONS).
1st, 2nd, etc. — Make the number, palm out; twist the hand leftward so
palm faces back toward body; fingers pointing up.
- 146 –
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