American Sign Language

Alternative forms

• (moving the hand repeatedly from side to side) B@Sfhead-PalmForward Sidetoside
• The hand may be in various handshapes, including “flat B” (with the thumb at the side), “open B” (with the thumb extended), or “5” (spread fingers).
• The hand may be lower, e.g. at neck height, and may move in smaller or larger arcs for nuanced meanings and levels of formality.

Production

• This one-handed ASL sign is produced with a smile:
  1. 
     Posture the dominant hand in the “B” handshape at the dominant side of the forehead, near the temple, palm facing forward.
  2. Hold the dominant hand briefly in this posture.
  3. Move the dominant hand to the following posture. Move head slighty forward.
  4. 
     Posture the dominant hand in the “B” handshape about half an arm's length in front and aside from the forehead, palm facing forward.
  5. Hold the dominant hand briefly in this posture.

• Stokoe: ȜB^⊤

Interjection

(ASL gloss: HELLO)

1. hello; hi; greetings