Computers have opened the door to the world. Web cameras on computers offer communication opportunities as never seen before for the deaf and hard of hearing. There are free services for the deaf and hard of hearing, enabling anyone to conduct video relay calls with family, friends, or businesses using certified ASL interpreters via a high-speed Internet connection and a video relay.

Computers are a way of life today, so learn some basic computer signs. Many of them are very easy and not as technical as you might think.

COMPUTER: Place the “C” hand on the back of your left hand and move up the arm.

To sign “laptop/notebook”: Place hands horizontally in front of you palm-to-palm. Next, fold back your right hand so the palm faces you, imitating opening a laptop. The bottom hand represents the keyboard portion, and the upper hand represents the screen, add the sign “computer.”

FILE: Place the “flat” hand, horizontal, palm up, between the index and the middle fingers on your left hand, then between the middle and the ring fingers. Memory aid: The open fingers of the left hand are the slots for the files.

PROGRAM: Flip the “P” hand up over the tops of the fingers and down the back of the left vertical “flat” hand.

INTERNET/NETWORK: Touch the fingertips of both middle fingers of your “open five” hands and pivot back and forth. Memory aid: This sign demonstrates connectivity with information moving back and forth.

In Chapter 6, you were shown the generic sign and initialized sign for “email.” Each variation has a different visual value and varying popularity.

E-MAIL 3: To sign “e-mail,” form the letter “C” with the left hand, pass the right flat hand through the “C” hand. This variation represents the iconic symbol shown on computers that depicts an envelope.

E-MAIL 4: To sign “e-mail,” form the letter “C” with the left hand, extend the right index finger, point forward, and pass through the letter “C.” This sign can be reversed and represents contact in receiving mail.

DISK: Circle the “D” hand in a double clockwise circle in your left upturned palm.

Here's another opportunity to combine two signs you have already learned: “computer” and “bug,” (Chapter 13) equals a “virus.” If you have a virus, you might need a firewall. This sign is a combination of “fire,” shown here and “wall,” shown earlier in the chapter.

FIRE: Hold both “open five” hands, palms facing in. Wiggle your fingers while moving your hands alternately up and down.

To sign “cursor,” move the “X” hand, palm forward, in an upward and forward jagged movement, and visualize the “cursor” moving all around the computer screen.

To sign “window” in relationship to computers, sign it the same way it was demonstrated earlier.

Abbreviations are used throughout the language of computers. Here's another chance to practice, improve, and build your fingerspelling skills.

This preceding group of signs has taught you something new and useful while providing you with the opportunity to review your fingerspelling skills. A good way to remember signs is to teach them to someone else. Perhaps you can share some of these signs with family or coworkers. Remember, to teach is to relearn.