Lesson Tutor: American Sign Language: Welcome to our class

Welcome. Let’s Get Introduced
Using Signed English (SE) and American Sign Language (ASL)
by Elaine Ernst Schneider

Words Signed English Signs and order of use
Hello. Wecome.
How are you?
I am fine.
Who are you?
I am … (name).
Happy to meet you.
Hello. Wecome.
How are you?
I am fine.
Who are you?
I am … (fingerspell your name).
Happy to meet you.

Signed English (SE)

hello
welcome
Hello. Welcome.
how are
How are you?

 

fine
I am fine.

 

who
are
Who (newer sign) Who (older sign) are you?

 

Fingerspell your Name
Click here to review the ASL alphabet
I am

 

happy
to
Happy to meet you.

 

American Sign Language (ASL)

Words ASL Signs in order of use
Hello. Welcome.
How are you?
I am fine.
Who are you?
I am … (name).
Happy to meet you.
Hello. Wecome.
How you?
Fine, me.
Who you?
Me… (spell name).
Happy meet you.

 

hello
welcome
Hello. Welcome.

 

how
How you?

 

fine I
Fine, me

 

who
Who you?

 

i,me Fingerspell your Name
Click here to review the ASL alphabet
Me,

 

happy
Happy meet you.

 

Signs Word Descriptions of Actions
am Touch touch an “a” hand to the lips and arc forward and upward.
are Place right “R” hand to bottom lip. Move sign outward, arcing slightly upward.
fine Touch the thumb of the open right hand (fingers spread) to the center of the chest area.
happy Touch chest with closed fingers of both hands in a forward circular motion, as if “stirring” emotions of joy.
hello Place hand on forward as if to salute (but not as rigid). Move hand outward, ending up with palm facing forward in the air just a few inches from the forehead.
how Place hands back to back in front of the chest area, hands slightly bent, palms downward. Knuckles will slightly touch. Revolve hands in and then upward until hands end in a position where palms are flat and turned upward.
I, me (ASL Point to self, touching the center of the chest.
I (SE) Touch the “i” hand to the center of the chest
meet Bring “d” hands together, palm to palm.
to Move the right index finger to touch the left index finger.
welcome Using a right “w” hand, touch the forehead and then the middle of the chest, arcing the movement to indicate that you are welcoming someone to you.
who Place the right “L” hand on the chin, touching with the thumb. Slightly move the index finger twice.
you Point in the direction of where someone is located. If no one is there, point to an “imaginary” person.

 

To review differences between SE and ASL … click here.
Continue on to our Introduction to Sign Language, Series 1, Lesson 1… click here
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