Auslan School

Front 1

School

Back 1

Hold hand flat, palm towards face, finger pointing upwards. Starting in front of face at one side move hand across all of face twice.

Front 2

Classroom

Back 2

With pointer finger and thumb extended from fist in a ‘C’ shape, on both hands (can be done with cupped ASL C shape). Start with palms facing each other. Rotate hands at wrist so that palms end facing you (Class). With fingers bent at a right angle to palm and pointing towards head move hand downwards next to face (Room).

Front 3

Teacher

Back 3

Start with pointer finger and thumb extended in an L shape, pointer finger pointing up near ear. Move hand so that pointer finger points backwards, back up and backwards again.

Hint: Teachers help put knowledge in your head (hand shape is like "know" and "think" joined together).

Doing the movement once is PRINCIPAL.

Front 4

Teach

Back 4

Start with fingertips and thumb touching and touching temple. Move hand forward and turn so that fingertips point forward. Now move hand forward a small amount twice.

Usage Notes: May be signed using both hands simultaneously for added emphasis.

Front 5

Bell

Back 5

Hold in fist to the side pointing down as if holding a bell downwards. Motion hand side to side as though ringing it.

Front 6

Uniform

Back 6

With fingers of both hands spread apart and pointing towards opposite side, start with hands in front of chest at sides and move hands simultaneously downwards.

Front 7

Staff / maid / servant / kitchen / kitchen-hand

Back 7

GOOD handshape. Brush tip of thumb up same-side pec twice.

Front 8

Blackboard

Back 8

Sign "Black" (Stroke fingers of fist forward along side of face) + "Board" (With hand flat in front of you, fingers pointing up, palm forward; start with hand in front of opposite side and move hand horizontally)

Front 9

Whiteboard

Back 9

WHITE - Form a circle with pointer finger and thumb at neck, other fingers extended, rock hand forward twice.

BOARD - With hand flat in front of you, fingers pointing up, palm forward; start with hand in front of opposite side and move hand horizontally.

Front 10

Book

Back 10

Flat hands with sides together, as if the covers of a book, open and close.

Front 11

Bus / truck / driver

Back 11

With fists together, palms upwards, as if clasping a large steering wheel, move hands simultaneously left in an arc, then right in an arc, then repeat.

Front 12

Calculator

Back 12

Hold one hand slightly cupped, palm facing up, in front of waist, With fingers spread and slightly bent downwards over the palm of other hand, wiggle (alternatively) fingers down towards palm (as though pressing keys on calculator).

Front 13

Chair

Back 13

With other hand flat, fingers pointing upwards place fingertips of bent hand at base of fingers. Move shape downwards.

Hint: A chair has a backrest and a seat.

Front 14

Computer

Back 14

With hand shaped into a C draw a circle in front of other, vertical, flat hand.Hint: The computer hard-drive goes round and round.

Front 15

Count / counting / adding

Back 15

With fingers spread, palm towards chest, wiggle fingers and move hand upwards.

Front 16

Folder / binder

Back 16

With both hands flat start with one hand palm forward, thumb down, and the other flat in front of this hand; palms touching. Flip back hand up so that little finger remains in contact with pointer finger of front hand and hand ends resting on top of other hand.

Front 17

Stapler

Back 17

Cup hands slightly and start with palms facing each other and hands one above the other a short distance. Bring top hand down so that palms touch and then back up again.

Front 18

Hole punch

Back 18

Cup one hand into a circle with thumb and fingers, with palm sideways hold hand still in front of body. Then cup hands slightly and start with palms facing each other and hands one above the other a short distance. Bring top hand down so that palms touch and then back up again.Usage Notes: This sign has evolved from a blend of 'hole' and 'stapler'

Front 19

Staples / to staple

Back 19

Hold pointer finger extended from fist and pointing forward. With other hand in a fist with thumb and pointer fingers extended forward , bring fingers toward extended pointer finger and pinch onto either side of finger.

Front 20

Kitchen

Back 20

Sign 'K' (With pointer finger extended from fist in a curve, tap knuckle against other extended pointer finger) twice.

Front 21

Learn / practice (hands-on)

Back 21

Point pointer fingers on both hands forward and start with fingers side by side and touching. Slide one hand backwards and the other forwards the length of fingers, then reverse. May be done multiple times.

Front 22

Library / librarian

Back 22

Tap index and middle fingers on thumb, near temple, twice.Hint: This sign evolved as it was the ‘sign name for the RIDBC librarian who wore hair clips at her temples.

Front 23

Bookshelf / library

Back 23

Start with both hands flat, palms touching. Bring main hand out to the side, keeping other hand still. Then take main hand back to other hand so that fingertips touch wrist and move hand out to side again.

Front 24

Maths

Back 24

Spread fingers on both hands horizontally, fingertips towards each other palms facing stomach. Simultaneously move hands up and back down while wiggling fingers.

Front 25

Paper

Back 25

Start with both fists in front of stomach, knuckles slightly apart, thumbs at tops of fists. Tap knuckles together twice.

Front 26

Paperclip / peg / clip

Back 26

Hold one hand flat, palm towards stomach. Extend (straight) the pointer finger and thumb front fist on your other hand. Slide these fingers down on either side of flat hand.Hint: As though your fingers are a paper clip.

Front 27

Pencil

Back 27

Form a circle with pointer finger and thumb. Starting with fingertips of circle in front of mouth, bring hand down, up and down again.

Front 28

Read

Back 28

Hold one hand flat in front of you, fingers horizontal, palm towards eyes. Slide pointer and middle finger fingertips left to right across hand twice. May also be signed moving fingers up and down across palm. Hint: When you read your eyes go across the page.

Front 29

Yard

Back 29

With both pointer fingers pointing forward and downwards slightly from fists, with finger tips touching, move fingers apart, then towards your waist, then back together again.

Alternatively, make ASL Y handshape (thumb and pinky extended) and move it in a small horizontal circle.

Front 30

Rubbish bin

Back 30

With both hands spread, backs facing and fingers pointing downwards, bring back of hands together. Then lift hands up and apart into a cup shape and bring downwards forming a cylinder.Hint: Rubbish is yucky and you don’t want to touch it.

Front 31

Ruler / rule a line, lined, line, in a straight line

Back 31

Hold one hand flat and horizontal in front of opposite side with forearm straight in front of waist. With fingertip of the pointer finger of your other hand draw a straight line in front of horizontal arm from elbow to fingertips.

Front 32

Sing / song / singer

Back 32

With pointer and middle finger extended together, start with fingertips at lips, palm towards you. Move hand forwards and upwards, forming a small circle in the air in front of face half way up.

Front 33

Toilet

Back 33

Tap the blade of flat hand (palm facing your chest) with pointer finger tip twice.

Front 34

Writing / pen

Back 34

With fingertip of pointer finger touching thumb tip, all other fingers in a loose fist, draw a straight (or sometimes wavy) line across the palm of your other (flat and horizontal) hand, from wrist to fingertips. Can also be signed without the flat hand or forward at head-height.

Front 35

Eraser / rubber

Back 35

Hold flat hand out with palm facing up. With dominant hand in 'write' handshape, mime rubbing an eraser side to side in your palm.

Front 36

Assembly / crowd / attendance

Back 36

Spread handshapes pointing downward toward the centre. Wiggle fingers.

Front 37

Reception / receptionist / office

Back 37

Hold both hands in front of you, finger tips spread and curved downwards slightly from otherwise flat hands. Alternatively wiggle fingers up and down (like you are typing). With fingertip of pointer finger touching thumb tip, all other fingers in a loose fist, draw a straight (or sometimes wavy) line across the palm of your other (flat and horizontal) hand, from wrist to fingertips.

Front 38

Principal / supervisor, manager, captain, superior, chief, director, foreman,

Back 38

Start with pointer finger and thumb extended in an L shape, pointer finger pointing up near ear. Move hand sharply so that pointer finger points backwards. May be done with both hands. May be done with the word SCHOOL to clarify first.

Doing the movement twice with one hand is TEACHER.

Front 39

Hall / hallway

Back 39

Flat handshapes pointing up with palms facing across, move hands forward while keeping them pointing upward, like the walls of the hallway.

Front 40

Box / container / carton

Back 40

Hold both hands flat, pointing forward in front of your sides. Then move hands so that palms face body, one hand very close to tummy, the other a short distance away.Hint: As though using hands to show first the sides and then front and back of box.

Front 41

Carpet / rug / mat

Back 41

With pointer finger and thumb forming a U Shape, pointing away from your body, slide from wrist to fingertips on the back of other, flat, hand.Hint: Carpet is thick and fluffy and on the floor.

Front 42

Cupboard

Back 42

With both fists next to each other, pointer fingers touching, tilt hand upwards in an arc.Hint: You open and close the doors to a cupboard.

Front 43

Glue / paste / sticker / stick

Back 43

Hold other hand flat, palm up, fingers pointing forward; start with fingers of main hand bent, fingertips touching wrist of flat hand. Move bent fingers forward along palm to fingertips; ending with this hand flat on top of other hand, palms together. Repeat.

Front 44

Rubbish

Back 44

With both hands spread, backs facing and fingers pointing downwards, bring back of hands together. Hint: Rubbish is yucky and you don’t want to touch it

Front 45

Scissors

Back 45

With forefinger and middle finger extended, pointer forward, bring them together and apart twice. Like the blades of scissors.Hint: The scissors blades open and close.

Front 46

Story

Back 46

With right hand flat at chest height, palm facing you; slide other hand, palm facing you, down palm and forearm.

Front 47

Table

Back 47

Extend fingers of both hands to point forward, with pointer fingers touching. Move hands out to sides, then turn hands at right angles, move downwards.Hint: Tables are flat and have legs.

Front 48

Sticker

Back 48

Hold other hand flat, palm up, fingers pointing forward; start with fingers of main hand bent, fingertips touching wrist of flat hand. Move bent fingers forward along palm to fingertips; ending with this hand flat on top of other hand, palms together. Repeat.