If you are taking this online ASL class with a partner, practice this conversation together:
A: Do you see that woman over there with the short brown hair and freckles?
B: Yes.
A: She's my boss.
B: Really? Is she deaf?
A: No, she's hearing.
B: Do you two get along?
A: Sort of. Sometimes she's nice, but she can be mean.
B: Oh I see.
If you do not have a partner, practice signing with me! In the video below, I will be person A. Pause the video when prompted, and reply as person B.
Ordinal numbers are the numbers in a series. These are numbers that show the order of something (i.e. winners in a race). Numbers 1st-9th use the handshape of the number with a twist of your wrist. Every number after 9th uses the handshape of the number and then "T-H". Even though English gives a number such as 22 and an "nd" ending to make 22nd, all numbers after 9th in ASL use "T-H" afterward.
Summary:
1st-9th = NUMBER + (Wrist Twist)
9th+ = NUMBER + T-H
In the video below, I will demonstrate ordinal numbers:
Money numbers are used for amounts of money. Amounts of money under one dollar are signed by combining the sign CENT with the number. The signs for $1-9 are similar to the ordinal sign for that number.
You sign amounts of money over $9 by signing DOLLAR after the number.
In the video below, I will demonstrate money numbers:
The signs for 1-12 o'clock are signed by first signing TIME then the number. For 1-9 o'clock you shake the number a little bit (this is commonly shortened to have the number start when you touch your wrist for TIME instead of having the sign TIME and the number separate).
For time such as 9:08, you sign the number for the hour, then slightly to the right, the numbers for the minutes.
You will use clock numbers when discussing time. In the video below, I will demonstrate clock numbers:
When you are signing a year, you would sign it as you would say it in English. For 1987, you would sign 19 and then 87. For the years 2000 and on, signers are signing them as 2-000 (sliding your hand with the 0 handshape to indicate multiple digits) or 2-00-1 (sliding your hand for the 0's). Some signers use the sign for THOUSAND as part of the sign for years 2000 and up.
Phone Numbers and Addresses
When you are signing a phone number or address, you keep your palm facing away from you and sign each number. With a phone number, you also sign a short pause where the hyphens would be.
Fractions & Height
Fractions are signed exactly as they look. With your palm facing you, first sign the top number (the numerator), move your hand downward slightly, and sign the bottom number (the denominator). For example, to sign 1/2, you would sign "1," move your hand downward slightly, and sign "2."
Height is signed exactly the opposite of fractions. The number of feet is signed first, you move your hand upward slightly, and then sign the number of inches.
Letters and Numbers
When you are having a conversation involving both letters and numbers, you would slightly shake the numbers back and forth and sign the letters normally. This way, you distinguish between signing the numbers and letters.
Make sure you know how to sign these numbers! It is important for you to know all these numbers before you move on in the online ASL class.
Reading Assignment
In The ASL Student's Essential Guide to Learning ASL and Getting Involved in the Deaf Community, read Step 4: Learn About ASL Careers. There may be a career out there that you don't yet know about or understand completely. This section explains the most popular careers in the ASL field and will help you decide if this is something you may want to pursue or not.
In The ASL Student's Essential Guide to American Sign Language Grammar, read Chapter 2 (American Sign Language Signs and Vocabulary), Section 2.2 (Numbers). This reading is a great review of all of the numbers you've learned so far.
End of Unit 12
Great job! You're ready to move on to the next unit of the online ASL class!
