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In a message dated 7/26/2008 11:09:18 P.M. Pacific Daylight
Time, reed@ writes:
Hey Bill,
Just a quick note: My Deaf friend taught me to sign "second" (as
in
unit of time) similarly to "minute" but with a closed dominant
hand.
So the secondary hand is a flat "b" shape and the primary hand
is an
"s" shape, with the curled thumb and index finger against the
palm. It
ticks just like the sign for "minute".
Apparently, this sign is in use here in the Bay Area. It avoids
the
trouble of having "minute" and "second" signed the same way.
Thanks again!
Reed.
Hello Reed,
Thank you for sharing your Deaf friend's version of the time sign
"SECOND."
That version of the sign SECOND is what I'd call an "initialized"
version. It uses the initial of the English word "second" as the
handshape for the sign "SECOND." As an ASL instructor I would classify
that version as "Signed English."
Some people might be tempted to knee jerk react and say that your Deaf
friend doesn't sign ASL. It has been my observation however that quite a
few skilled ASL users use initialization from time to time and borrow
signs liberally from Signed English according to convenience. Whether or
not such signs "jump the gap" and become an accepted part of ASL -- only
time will tell. As of right now though I would
NOT recommend using that
version. If in doubt, just spell S-E-C.
But THANK YOU for the input. Seriously I appreciate it.
Cordially,
Dr. Bill