Page:The-sign-language-a-manual-of-signs-2nd-ed.djvu/23

Rh Should, Ought, indicating duty.—Press the crooked forefinger of the right "G" hand against the lips and then move toward side and downward as in "must" (see below). Or,

(2) Indicate by the signs "better" and "must." Better is signed as follows: Place the end of the right open hand pointing toward the left, palm against the mouth; draw away toward the side, assuming the position of "A" and lifting it to a level with the head. "Must," see below.

Must, Need, Have to.—Crook the forefinger of the right "G" hand, pointing it downward, and press the hand down some distance with more or less force. Sometimes the motion is repeated several times. I, 7.

Have, to Possess.—Cross the open hands in front, palms to self and then draw them up against the breast. I, 8.

Have, Finished, auxiliary of the complete tenses.—Hold the left "B" hand in front, palm to self and end pointing toward the right; upon its upper edge place the right "B" hand, pointing out, and the little finger edge resting on the forefinger near the knuckle; scrape along the edge of the left hand with the right, and when the end of the left hand is reached, let the right drop down directly with a "chopping off" motion. The usual way is to give only the right hand a downward "cut" across the end of the left.

Note: The colloquial and by far the most common method of rendering the sign for "finished" is to hold the right open or "5" hand out in front from the side and give it a flip toward the right, with a twist of the wrist so the palm is turned down. In indicating the complete tenses first sign "have" as for "possess," then give the sign for the verb, and last the sign for "have" or "finish" as above. I, 9.

Do.—Hold the bent hands out in front from the sides, fingers pointing downward; move the hands first to one side and then to the other, giving them a slight downward pressure as they start toward the side. The fingers may be slightly separated as in the bent "5" hands, as in playing the keys of a piano. I, 10.

Will and Shall, indicating future.—Hold the right open hand pointing straight out and elevated to a level with the shoulder, and push it straight forward the length of the arm. I, 11.