NUMBERS 1- 5:
When done as casual, isolated signs, numbers "1 through 5" are typically
produced palm-back by native Deaf adult signers.
For example, if someone asks you how many brothers you have and you have "2"
then you would reply by holding up the number 2 with the palm facing
backward.
However, the palm should be forward when doing a two-or-more-digit number
such as "53," or a series of numbers such as a phone number, the time of
day, ages, and if you are trying to emphasize a point. Tip: During class
sign however your local teacher wants you to for your grade. Out of class
pattern your signing on local native Deaf adult signers.
#'s 1 through 5:
.
NOTE: When done as part of a series, numbers 1 through five are
generally done palm forward. For example, numbers such as a phone
number, an identification number, a number on a door, a social security number, etc. are
generally all done palm forward.
When we are signing a series of numbers (such as a phone number) we do the
numbers 1 through 5 palm forward.
We also do 1 through 5 palm forward when they are part of multiple digit
numbers such as "51."
Using the same hand you would show a 5 and then a 1 (very quickly).
QUESTION: A student writes:
"I have a question regarding signing 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Why do you
say your palm has to be facing in because I have seen it signed both ways
palm in and out. Could you clarify for me a little more?"
RESPONSE: Dr. Bill writes:
I agree that we certainly see both versions of "1 thru 5" (palm back and
palm out) in the Deaf Community. The palm doesn't "have to" face in (back)
while doing numbers 1 thru 5 -- and quite often it doesn't. To be clear, we
are discussing the isolated production of those numbers (when they are
signed alone -- not as part of a larger number). The question isn't about
right and wrong. Both orientations of 1 thru 5 are certainly in use by
native Deaf adult signers. The question a student of ASL should ask is:
Which version is the "citation" and/or default version? Which is the "least
inflected?" Which version might we want to list first or higher in a
dictionary entry?
Hold your hand up and pay attention to the muscles in the wrist, ask
yourself, "Which version (palm forward or palm back) creates the most
tension in the wrist?" For most people, the palm back version of numbers 1
through 5 produces the least tension and therefore tends to be the default
production and/or the citation version or main way of signing 1 through 5.
If we are going to make the effort to produce those numbers palm out we
typically have a "reason" for the extra effort such as a need to emphasize,
draw attention to, distinguish, contrast, or compare. Unfortunately, many
beginners "only" learn the palm forward version and that influences later
number usage. For example, consider how adult native Deaf people tend to
sign "HALF" (1/2) -- typically palm back. If a student learns "1" palm out
it will tend to fossilize and impact other signs that use a "1" (such as
HALF or PENNY) which is one of the reasons why it is not uncommon for
beginners to sign HALF-[1/2] palm forward instead of the more common
palm-back version. It is good for students to learn both versions of 1
through 5 and lean toward the palm-back default version when doing those
numbers in isolation.
Numbers 1-10 / 11-20 / 21-30 / 31-40 / 41-50 / 100-900 / 1000 and up / Fractions / Discussion
Various examples: 100 / 1000000 / 1000 variation / 1000 variation / 100 "c" variation / 200 / 2000 / 23 / 2,397 / 25 / 300 / 34 / 35 / 400 / 40s / 41-50 / 500 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 900
Also see: Numerical Incorporation
American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars