Page:The-sign-language-a-manual-of-signs-2nd-ed.djvu/145

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COUNTING

1 to 10.—Begin by holding up the forefinger for 1; then two fingers for 2; for 3 bring up the thumb with the two fingers; for 4 draw back the thumb against the palm and hold up the four fingers, and for 5 the fingers and thumb. For 6, while the other fingers are extended, draw down the end of the little finger against the end of the thumb; for 7 draw down the third finger same, and for 8 and 9 the middle and forefinger respectively. Note that only one finger touches the thumb at a time, all the remaining fingers being extended. For 10, hold up the thumb of the "A" hand and shake it from side to side with a twisting motion from the wrist but not moving the arm, or, extending the thumb of the "A" hand toward the left, give it a twisting jerk toward the left (not moving the arm) until it points upward. XXIII, 413 to 421.

11 to 20.—Make 10 as described in last line and then add all the other digits up to 9. In common practice this is shortened and instead of making the full sign for 10 the forefinger is extended from under the thumb of "A" hand as if forcibly released for 11, and the same with the two fingers for 12; for 13 the two fingers and thumb are thrown out straight with the two fingers for 12; for 14 the fingers are thrown out and the thumb drawn quickly against the palm; for 5 the whole hand is thrown open; and for 16, 17, 18, and 19 the hand is closed as in "A" and the fingers are thrown out into the positions for the figures, the hand at first always being in position of "A." For 20 the position of the right hand is as in "G," except that the thumb and forefinger have been drawn farther apart and the palm is down; move the hand to the right with a slight jerk and close the ends of the thumb and forefinger. In common practice the thumb and forefinger in position as above are simply snapped together. XXIII, 422, 423.

21 to 30.—In the twenties, begin the motion with the "L" hand, palm outward; throw the hand toward the right with a jerk and then add the numbers 1 to 9. The jerk is not essential but is advisable as it adds distinctness to the figures. This is especially true of figures above 50. For 30 make 3; then jerk