Numbers in ASL change by range, so palm direction and movement matter. Days of the week often use letter handshapes with repeated movement, while family signs often connect to gendered locations on the face. Clear signing depends on using the correct dominant hand, keeping movements controlled, and matching facial expression to meaning.
Key Facts
- For ASL numbers 1-5, the palm usually faces the signer when counting alone.
- For ASL numbers 6-9, touch the thumb to the correct finger while the palm faces outward.
- For ASL number 10, use a thumbs-up handshape and shake or twist it slightly.
- For multiples of 10 such as 20, 30, and 40, the number handshape is shown clearly with the palm outward.
- Days of the week are usually signed with the first letter handshape, such as M for Monday and F for Friday, moving in a small circle or repeated motion.
- The sign WEEK is often made by sliding the dominant index finger across the flat non-dominant hand.
- Family signs such as MOTHER and FATHER use an open 5 handshape, with MOTHER at the chin and FATHER at the forehead.
- In many ASL family signs, signs near the forehead are associated with male family members and signs near the chin are associated with female family members.
Vocabulary
- Dominant hand
- The hand a signer mainly uses to form one-handed signs or to lead two-handed signs.
- Palm orientation
- The direction the palm faces during a sign, such as inward, outward, up, or down.
- Handshape
- The form the fingers and thumb make while producing a sign.
- Movement
- The path, repetition, or action of the hands during a sign.
- Location
- The place on or near the body where a sign is made.
- Non-manual signal
- A facial expression, head movement, or body shift that adds meaning to a sign.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing numbers 1-5 with the palm facing outward when counting alone is often incorrect because these numbers usually face inward in basic counting.
- Mixing up 6, 7, 8, and 9 is incorrect because each number touches the thumb to a different finger.
- Signing days of the week without the correct letter handshape is unclear because the handshape helps identify the day.
- Placing MOTHER at the forehead or FATHER at the chin is incorrect because these locations reverse the standard family sign locations.
- Making movements too large or sloppy reduces clarity because ASL depends on controlled handshape, location, palm orientation, and movement.
Practice Questions
- 1 Sign the numbers 1 through 10 in order, paying attention to palm orientation.
- 2 Sign the numbers 25, 40, and 99 clearly and describe the handshape or movement used for each.
- 3 Sign Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then explain which letter handshape each sign uses.
- 4 Why is location important when signing family words such as MOTHER, FATHER, SISTER, and BROTHER?