Rhonda Thomasson from Dinwiddie, Virginia writes:
"I have been using your site to learn from for years. The only "formal" sign
language training/classes I've ever had was what I remembered learning as a
child by watching my aunt and uncle (who is deaf) communicate and by someone I
used to work with who is partially deaf. I, by no means, am able to communicate
the way I'd like to. I don't have anyone to sign with, so receiving is not one
of my strong points. However, I've always loved signing and every now and then
will learn to sign some of the hymns at church and sign them on Sundays.
I just recently started working at a day care center and was asked to
incorporate signing into my teaching. My director has taken a sign language
course and also watches a program on TV aimed at teaching children some signs.
I know what your opinion is of someone who is correcting another about how they
sign. However, today she signed the color "green" with an "h" instead of a
"g". She said this is the way it was signed on the TV program.
Also, one of the other teachers came in and asked how to sign "play". She used
one hand instead of two and told her to be careful because it also can mean
"yellow". I told her she was incorrect.
She said that her instructor told her that it was ok, because some people only
have one hand.
I don't agree with teaching two-handed signs using only one hand. If it is a
two-handed sign, then teach that sign using both hands. If a person only has one
hand, then, the person they are having the conversation with will understand
what they are trying to say from the context of the conversation. Who is
correct, especially when incorporating these signs in our lessons to hearing
children? I would greatly appreciate hearing from you soon.
Rhonda Thomasson
Dinwiddie, VA
5/23/2007
[Reply edited in 2019]
Rhonda,
Hello. :)
The fact that "some" people only have one hand doesn't make "one-handed"
versions of signs the best choice to teach to new learners. A one-handed
sign becomes "correct" when a preponderance of ASL users recognize it and accept
it into their vocabulary. Many signs naturally evolve from two handed signs
into one handed signs simply because they are easier that way. For example "CAT"
used to be a two handed sign and now is commonly done with one hand.
The evolution of a two-handed sign into a one-handed sign will be resisted or
greatly delayed in those circumstances where there is an existing one-handed
sign with a different meaning.
I agree with you that (at this time) the sign PLAY is best done with two hands
-- thus reserving the one-handed version for the concept of "yellow." Now, of
course if you have a cup of hot chocolate in your hand and you want to sign
PLAY, by all means you should certainly use the one handed version.
Cordially,
Dr. Bill
p.s. The sign for "green" is indeed done with a "G" hand (not an "H" hand).
p.p.s. A memory aid for the sign GREEN is to shake your "g" hand in the
air while thinking "I've got something green on my finger and I can't get it
off!" This can be further enhanced by first doing the "pick your nose
sign."
Notes:
Also see:
One handed signing
(2)
Also see: One-armed signing
Also See "Right
or left handed signing"