Each group of measures (e.g. Length, Weight, Volume) has its own identifying gesture performed with the 1st hand The appropriate system of units (Metric or Imperial) is indicated by the 2nd hand.
(a) for the Metric System as Thumb 1st finger hand, thumb and 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward.
(back) for the Imperial System as 1st finger hand, back forward and 1st finger pointing inward.
The signs for the Imperial System are retained here in case they are required.
In both cases the increasing magnitude of any one unit is indicated by touching (1) tip of 2nd finger of 1st hand, (2) 1st wrist, (3) centre of 1st forearm, and (4) crook of 1st elbow.
(a) Metric System
LENGTH
Hold either
FLAT hand,
back forward-outward &
digits pointing forward-inward, with forearm
horizontal and elbow on own side.
MILLIMETRE
Hold 1st hand as LENGTH
(measurement), and at same time put 2nd
Thumb 1st finger hand, thumb
and 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its
thumb and 1st finger on tip of
2nd finger of 2nd hand
CENTIMETRE
Hold 1st hand as LENGTH
(measurement), and at same time put 2nd
Thumb 1st finger hand,
thumb and 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips
of its thumb and 1st finger on centre of
1st wrist.
METRE
Hold 1st hand as LENGTH
(measurement), and at same time put 2nd
Thumb 1st finger hand,
thumb and 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward,
with tips of its thumb and 1st finger on centre of
1st forearm.
KILOMETRE
Hold 1st hand as LENGTH
(measurement), and at same time put 2nd
Thumb 1st finger hand,
thumb and 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward,
with tips of its thumb and 1st finger on crook
of 1st elbow.
WEIGHT
Hold either
CLAWED hand,
back downward & fingers forward-inward, with elbow on own side;
then move hand downwards one hand breadth.
MILLIGRAMME
With 1st hand sign WEIGHT,
and at same time put 2nd Thumb
1st finger hand, thumb &
1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its
thumb and 1st finger on tip of 2nd finger of 1st hand
CENTIGRAMME
With 1st hand sign WEIGHT,
and at same time put 2nd Thumb
1st finger hand, thumb &
1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of
its thumb and 1st finger on centre of 1st wrist.
GRAMME
With 1st hand sign WEIGHT,
and at same time put 2nd Thumb
1st finger hand, thumb and 1st finger
pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its thumb and 1st
finger on centre of 1st forearm.
KILOGRAMME
With 1st hand sign WEIGHT,
and at same time put 2nd Thumb
1st finger
hand, thumb &
1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its
thumb and 1st finger on crook of 1st elbow.
VOLUME
Hold either
CUPPED hand
, back upward & fingers forward-inward, with elbow on own side.
MILLILITRE
Hold 1st hand as VOLUME,
and at same time put 2nd Thumb
1st finger hand, thumb &
1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its
thumb and 1st finger on tip of 2nd finger of 1st hand.
CENTILITRE
Hold 1st hand as VOLUME,
and at same time put 2nd Thumb
1st finger hand, thumb &
1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its
thumb and 1st finger on centre of 1st wrist.
LITRE
Hold 1st hand as VOLUME,
and at same time put 2nd Thumb
1st finger hand, thumb and 1st finger
pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its thumb and
1st finger on centre of 1st forearm.
KILOLITRE
Hold 1st hand as VOLUME,
and at same time put 2nd Thumb
1st finger hand, thumb &
1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward. with tips of its
thumb and 1st finger on crook of 1st elbow.
(back) Imperial System
LENGTH
Hold either
FLAT hand,
back forward-outward & digits pointing forward-inward, with forearm
horizontal and elbow on own side.
INCH
Hold 1st hand as LENGTH,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger pointing
inward, with tip of its 1st finger on tip of 2nd finger of 1st hand.
FOOT
Hold 1st hand as LENGTH,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger pointing
inward, with side of its 1st finger on top of 1st wrist.
YARD
Hold 1st hand as LENGTH, and at
same time put 2nd 1st finger hand,
back forward and 1st finger pointing
inward, with side of its 1st finger on centre of 1st forearm.
MILE
Hold 1st hand as LENGTH,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger pointing
inward, with side of its 1st finger on crook of 1st elbow.
WEIGHT
Hold either
CLAWED hand
, back downward & fingers forward-inward, with elbow on own side;
then move hand downwards one hand breadth.
OUNCE
With 1st hand sign WEIGHT,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger
pointing inward, with tip of its 1st finger on tip of 2nd finger of 1st hand.
POUND
With 1st hand sign WEIGHT,
and at same time put 2nd 11st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger
pointing inward, with side of 1st finger on top of 1st wrist.
STONE
With 1st hand sign WEIGHT,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger
pointing inward, with side of 1st finger on centre. of 1st forearm.
TON
With 1st hand sign WEIGHT,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger pointing
inward, with side of 1st finger on crook of 1st elbow.
VOLUME
Hold either
CUPPED hand, back
upward & fingers forward-inward, with elbow on own side.
PINT
Hold 1st hand as VOLUME,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger pointing
inward, with tip of its 1st finger on tip of 2nd finger of 1st hand
[Compare CONTAINER]
QUART
Hold 1st hand as VOLUME,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger
pointing inward, with side of its 1st finger on top of 1st wrist.
GALLON
Hold 1st hand as VOLUME,
and at same time put 2nd 1st finger
hand, back forward and 1st finger
pointing inward, with side of its 1st finger on crook of 1st elbow.