Signs that are done with the vehicle handshape

By: Lyn J. Wiley


The 3 HAND SHAPE is used to represent one or more VEHICLES and certain other things and activities related to vehicles.


The 3 hand shape is also used to represent things unrelated to vehicles: 'rooster,' 'the-three-of us,' 'bug/insect,' etc.


This handout focuses only on the 3 hand shape used to mean a 'vehicle' or something related to a vehicle.


Vehicle. Definition: A motorized or non-motorized thing that is used to transport goods or people especially on land, sometimes by sea (a car) (a cart) (a train) (a taxi cab) (a horse and buggy) (a van) (a wagon) (a motorcycle) (a sailboat) (a tricycle) (a 'big-wheel') etc.


Many vehicles have specific signs (i.e. boat, bicycle, motorcycle, sailboat, train, bus, etc.). Those can be used to describe the specific vehicle we will be talking about. Once described, we can use a 3 hand shape to discuss that specific vehicle (and it's activities) further.


For example: Police car (sign: police, vehicle, flashing-lights) pull-me-over (use two 3 hand shapes to show the motion of a police car getting behind you and then pulling you over).


Another example: Motorcycle (sign: motorcycle) weaving in and out of traffic (use a 3 hand shape to show the motion of 'weaving in and out' of traffic).


When describing the activities of one or more vehicles we can move them in whatever ways best describe the activity of the vehicle(s). For example: One vehicle can come to a four way stop (hold it there). Another vehicle comes to that same four-way stop (from a different direction). Hold it there for a split second. Then, at the same time, move both vehicles into the centre of the imaginary intersection where they collide.


The 3 hand shape is used as a general sign for car/vehicle.


To refer to a specific vehicle, we must first explain what vehicle we will be talking about.


For example: Yesterday, me, go-to, work. Driving, driving. Argh! Railroad-crossing-bars-come-down. Train (sign 'train,' and then move the 3 hand shape - which now represents the train - very slowly along an imaginary track in front of you). Me, stuck! Train (use 3 hand shape for train), long, slow-moving! Railroad-crossing-bars-go-up! Pah (finally!). But, arrive, work, late! Dang!


The following concepts can be expressed using either one or two 3 hand shapes:


Vehicle (general sign).


Slow-moving vehicle.


Fast-moving vehicle!


'Old-beater-car.' Sign: vehicle, old, wobbly. Or sign: vehicle, old, so-so.


Wobbly vehicle (i.e. wobbly bicycle)


Vehicle suddenly took off!


Race car. Sign: race, car/vehicle.


Park a vehicle.


Attached garage (as would be attached to a home).


Garage (separated from a home by some space).


Two car garage.


Three car garage.


Four car garage.


Overhead garage door.


Public Parking Garage, one with a spiral entry and exit ramp. 3 hand shape palm faces left; move hand in an upward spiral motion. Or, do that and then 'park the vehicle.'


Free public parking


Parking - two hour limit


Free parking


Street parking


Parallel park; Parallel parking


Parking lot.


Parking lot full - no spaces left.


Empty parking space.


Parking meter.


Pay parking. Sign: Park, must, pay. Or sign: park, pay.


Parking ticket


"No parking" (as you would see on a street sign)


One vehicle passing another vehicle


Two vehicles racing.


One vehicle is ahead of another vehicle.


One vehicle pulls ahead of another.


One vehicle drops back behind another vehicle (for example to establish an 'assured clear distance' between the vehicles or for any other reason.


One vehicle is behind another.


Bumper-to-bumper vehicles.


Vehicle pulls off a roadway (exit ramp)


Vehicle pulls onto a roadway (entrance ramp)


Vehicle 'weaving in and out' of traffic on a roadway.


Vehicular accident


Fender-bender; Minor accident


Police officer (in one vehicle) pulling another vehicle off to the side of the roadway.


Moving violation


Moving violation that earns one a ticket


Vehicle inspection


Used vehicle; Second-hand vehicle


Car show


Vehicle going down a hill


Vehicle going up a hill


Vehicle moving on a winding, curvy road or pathway


Vehicle makes a 'sharp left.'


Vehicle makes a 'sharp right.'


Vehicle went (going) through an intersection


Vehicle going through a tunnel


Vehicle crossing a bridge


Vehicle backing up


Font-end collision


Side-swipe-collision


Rear-end-collision


T-Bone accident


Multi-car accident. Sign: many (multiple), vehicles, crash-into-each-other.


Round-a-bout. Sign: intersection. Then, holding left index finger in place, place the 'vehicle' sign over it and move the 3 hand shape in one counter-clockwise circles.


Bill - when you can find the time - - can you tell me what signs you use for:


a) Four way stop (intersection, 4, stop)? (intersection, all, stop)? Other?


b) Vehicular homicide


c) Auto emissions test (vehicle, analysis) (vehicle, check-up) (vehicle, test)?


d) car-port


e) round-a-bout


























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