People You Know
You will now learn to affix the “person” sign to create compound signs used to describe people. (Of course, the “person” sign can also be used alone to simply mean “person.”) Learning to affix or apply the “person” sign gives you a powerful tool for communication. When the “person” sign is used as an ending, it can be referred to in sign language dictionaries as any of the following: “person,” “agent,” or the “er” sign. We will refer to it as the “person” sign.
When the “person” sign is applied to a sign, it is now considered a compound sign and adds clarity. This compound sign identifies whether you are talking about an item or a person. For example, you can imitate playing the piano, and this is clearly understood when signed. However, if you want to sign “pianist,” you imitate playing a “piano” then add the “person” sign. Another example is to sign “write” then add the “person” sign to signify that you mean “writer” or “author.” In Chapter 11, where you will learn to sign about sports, you will have many opportunities to apply the “person” sign. With one sign, you can change a sport into the “player” of that sport.
Two for One
In this section, you will learn to sign vocabulary words simultaneously. First, you will learn to sign a noun or verb. Next, you will sign that noun or verb followed by the “person” sign. The signs for interpreter, teacher, and lawyer (on the facing page) require adding the “person” sign.
PERSON: Use both “flat” hands, palms facing each other, and move hands straight down in front of your body.
INTERPRET: Twist the “F” hands alternately back and forth. To sign “interpreter,” twist the “F” hands alternately back and forth, and add the “person” sign. Memory aid: The movement of the hands depicts translating back and forth between people.
TEACH: Move both modified “O” hands forward from your forehead. To sign “teacher,” move both modified “O” hands forward from your forehead, and add the “person” sign. Memory aid: The hands moving forward from your forehead represent taking knowledge from the mind and giving it forth to the learners.
LAW: Slide the right “L” hand in the left vertical hand from the fingertips to your wrist. To sign “lawyer,” slide the right “L” hand in the left vertical hand from the fingertips to your wrist, and add the “person” sign. Memory aid: The “L” in the hand represents the book of Laws and Rules.
Not all signs affix or use the “person” sign to refer to occupations or sports. Here you will also learn a few signs that do not require affixing the “person” sign. For example, the signs for “dentist” are representative of how nicely signs evolve with the change in times. Hitting your jaw line with the “S” hand was an early sign. This sign represented silver being hammered into teeth for fillings or a very bad toothache. This version is used for a bad toothache. Next, the generic version is tapping a tooth with the index finger then adding the “person” sign. Another version is the initialized sign, which has you tap your teeth with the “D” hand. Today, there is a brighter smiling variation of “dentist.” This sign reflects the new attitude of painless dentistry and the bright white smile of healthy teeth.
Dentists, as with other medical personnel, should use “clear” masks when servicing deaf or hard-of-hearing patients. The clear mask allows patients to lip-read. This small change to clear masks by dentists and their staff improves communication and reduces unintentional barriers.
DENTIST: Smile while moving the “D” hand slightly back and forth in forth in front of your teeth.
FIRE FIGHTER: Place the “flat” hand, palm forward on your forehead. Memory aid: The hand-shape represents the shield emblem on the helmet.
