Signing For Dummies (13 page)

Ordering ordinal numbers

Ordinal numbers show orderly placement: first cup of coffee, second chapter, and third base, for example. To indicate an ordinal number in ASL, twist your wrist inward while signing the respective number.

Signin’ the Sign

Ted is going to Della’s house for a visit. Della is giving Ted directions in hopes that he will arrive on time.

Della:
Can you come over to my house at 7:00?

Sign:
7:00 P.M. — MY HOUSE — COME — CAN YOU — Q

Ted:
Yes, I can.

Sign:
YES — CAN ME

Della:
Remember, it’s 329 West Drive.

Sign:
REMEMBER — HOUSE — WEST — D-R — 3-2-9

Ted:
Can you give me directions?

Sign:
DIRECTIONS — ME — CAN YOU — Q

Ted:
Right on West Drive; the third house on the right.

Sign:
HOUSE — THIRD RIGHT — STREET — WEST - D-R

Personification: The Secret of Agents

In ASL, turning a verb into a person is called
personification.
You do it with two simple motions: Sign the verb and then glide the heels of your hands down the sides of your body with your fingers extended outward. The result of this is an
agent.
Look at this next list to see what we mean.