1. When do I fingerspell a word?
Fingerspelling is used for places, names of cities, states, countries, proper names, and when you do not know a particular sign. Fingerspelling should not be the only method used for communicating, and when using it, make sure to keep your hand steady, and not bounce your letters.
2. What is “signing space”?
A person’s signing space is from the top of the head to the waist line. You do not want to sign so large that people have a hard time following your hands and the conversation. Visualize a picture frame in front of you, and keep your signs within that frame.
3. How important are facial expressions?
Facial expressions are extremely important when using American Sign Language. Without facial expressions, your conversation will be flat. For example, if you are happy, your face needs to show it. On the other hand, if you are sad, your emotions and facial expressions need to match.
4. What is a “name sign?”
A name sign is created by a deaf person for another person that reflects a personal characteristic of that person. New deaf friends will ask, “What is your name sign?” They will remember you by that sign. If your name comes up in future conversations, you will be identified by that sign. For example, pretend Aaron has a gold front tooth. The letter “A” placed by the teeth would identify him from three others at the church with the same first name. The sign identifies an individual, and it replaces fingerspelling.
5. What is the “agent” or “er”
There is an indicator used with sign language called the “agent”. Agent refers to a person. For example, there is a difference between “teach” and “teacher”. The agent is the “er”. A couple other examples of the “er” agent are: Farmer, Interpreter, and Helper.
6. How do I refer to a person who is not in the same room?
With sign language, you can establish a place (off to your right or left side) to put a person that you are talking about when that person is not present. For example, you want to talk about a conversation Joe and Margo had last night. Point to your left and sign Joe’s name. Point to your right and sign Margo’s name. Now, to talk about either one, just point to the person you are referring to. This technique minimizes confusion.
7. Is it okay to gesture?
Yes. American Sign Language is approximately 60% gestures (mimicking) and 40% sign. Gestures act out a concept or event. For example, visualize a tall, slim batter at the plate. Here comes the pitch. He swings. There’s a towering high fly ball. He stands at the plate and watches. The ball goes over the fence and lands in the upper deck. The crowd goes crazy! Now, use a combination of signs and gestures to describe that scene. Gestures should complement the signing.
If you do not know how to sign a particular word, do not make up a new sign. That is considered inappropriate. Deaf culture has rules regarding how a sign gets introduced. In the instance you do not know a sign, just fingerspell it.
8. Do I sign with both hands?
Yes. You do sign with both hands. However, your dominant hand is the one that does most of the sign movements. Your non-dominant hand does the supporting of your dominant hand. For example (right hand dominant), the word “paper” the left hand is steady and the right hand does the motion. Now, some signs there is no dominant or non-dominant difference. For example, “teacher” , both hands do the same motion.