Categories
Word Usage

Usage: Why

Why can be a question or a statement. If it is a question then it is signed like you would naturally think of the word why (touch your forehead with fingertips of the dominant hand and pull out to a y). However, when used as a statement it should be signed like reason (the sign for think or think with an R).

Question: “Why did you eat that?” That is a basic question and the word would be signed like normal.

Statement: “Helping others is why we are here.” Think about this statement like this: “Helping others is the purpose or reason we are here.”

Statement: “Do you know why we are here?” Here the word why is not used as a question (the question word is do). The word why is again used as a statement. This sentence could be signed: “Do you know the reason we are here?”

Many of the question words can also be used as statements. They have a different sign when used this way.

Categories
Podcast

LearnSigns 004: Greetings

Vocabulary Taught in This Lesson:

  • Hello
  • My name is…
  • My sign name is…
  • What’s your name?
  • How are you?
  • Fine
  • Nice to meet you
  • Where are you from?
  • Please
  • Thank you
  • Excuse me/Pardon me
  • Sorry
  • Yes
  • No
  • Bye

You can view the closed captions if needed by clicking on the Closed Caption [CC] logo on the video player above.

Categories
Word Usage

Usage: Ordain

The word ordain came up in a meeting today. The speaker said that “God ordained this meeting.” To me that means that God planned the meeting. However, the interpreter used the sign which means to ordain for ministry.

Other meanings for the word ordain is to establish or to decree. Establish: “to ordain a new administration.” Decree or declare: “The judge ordained that the prisoner be set free.”

Think about the meaning of words before you sign them. Each of these four definitions would have their own sign.

Categories
Podcast

LearnSigns 003: Numbers

Numbers seem innocent enough, but be careful that you do them properly or you might end up saying 6 when you meant to say 3.

Sign language numbers are fun in that you can count all the way up to 999 on one hand. Watch this simple lesson so you can see how you too can do it.

You can view the closed captions if needed by clicking on the Closed Caption [CC] logo on the video player above.

Categories
Podcast

LearnSigns 002: Fingerspelling

Fingerspelling is an important part of Sign Language. Not only is it important, but it is something that many people struggle with doing well. This lesson contains some tips for fingerspelling properly which will also help you read fingerspelling better.

Fingerspelling Rules:

  • Keep your palm facing the person you are speaking with
  • Keep your hand still–don’t bounce
  • Spell with a smooth rhythm

Fingerspelling Tips:

  • Don’t spell individual letters
  • Spell whole words
  • Say the word aloud as you spell

Fingerspelling Practice Suggestions:

You can view the closed captions if needed by clicking on the Closed Caption [CC] logo on the video player above.

View the episode transcript.

Categories
Podcast

LearnSigns 001: The Alphabet

Learning the ASL alphabet is the beginning of learning to sign.

Printable alphabet pages and other fingerspelling resources are available.

You can view the closed captions if needed by clicking on the Closed Caption [CC] logo on the video player above.

View the episode transcript.