© 1999 Paget Gorman Society
Last updated: March 1999
ZERO (or NOUGHT)
Hold either
O-hand,
back outward & fingers upward, in front of own shoulder.
ONE
Hold either
1st finger hand,
back forward and 1st finger
pointing upward, in front of own shoulder.
TWO
Hold either
V-hand, back forward &
1 & 2nd fingers pointing upward, in front of own shoulder.
THREE
Hold either
SPREAD hand
but with 4th finger bent and ball of thumb on nail of
4th finger, back forward & fingers pointing upward, in front of own
shoulder.
FOUR
Hold either
SPREAD hand
but with thumb closed on palm, back forward & fingers pointing upward,
in front of own shoulder.
FIVE
Hold either
SPREAD hand,
back forward & fingers pointing upward, in front of own shoulder.
SIX
Hold 1st hand as FIVE,
and at same time hold 2nd hand as ONE.
SEVEN
Hold 1st hand as FIVE,
and at same time hold 2nd hand as TWO.
EIGHT
Hold 1st hand as FIVE,
and at same time hold 2nd hand as THREE.
NINE
Hold 1st hand as FIVE,
and at same time hold 2nd hand as FOUR.
The signs for the figures 0 to 5 require the use of only one hand, while the signs for the figures 6 to 9 require both hands.
When a number contains two or more figures (i.e. from 10 onwards), each figure in the number is signed separately, starting with the left-hand figure in that number.
All figures are signed in the same location. After signing the first figure, the hand(s) is changed to CLOSED hand(s), back forward & fingers upward, before signing the next figure.
When both hands are used at the same time, they should be kept one hand-length apart. Care must be taken when changing from a two-handed to a one-handed sign for the next figure, to lower the 1st hand one hand length to avoid mistaking the 1st hand as part of the next sign.
When a number contains a comma, e.g. in 1,000, or a full stop, e.g. in 2.65, the comma and/or full stop is signed, as and when it occurs, with the OUTLINE hand but at the same level as the signs for the figures.
If a series of separate numbers is to be signed, the hand(s) must be lowered to mid-height before signing the next number.
The signs for the words: Dozen, Hundred, Thousand, Million which are included in the Vocabulary, should only be used when the actual word rather than the number is given in the phrase to be signed, e.g. a dozen eggs, a hundred pounds, etc.
The appropriate Cardinal number is first signed; then
(i) in the case of a one-handed sign, the hand is moved downwards
1/2 hand.
breadth, at same time by wrist action, turning hand till palm forward, or
(ii) in the case of a two-handed sign, the 1st hand (held as FIVE) is kept
stationary while the 2nd hand is moved downwards 1/2 hand
breadth, at same time by wrist action, turning hand till palm forward.
If the number consists of two or more figures, the downward movement and turn of wrist is performed only at the end of the sign for the last figure.
ONCE
Hold either hand as ONE,
then move hand downwards till in
front of centre of body.
at same time by wrist action turning hand till back upward and 1st finger
pointing forward-inward.
TWICE
Hold either hand as TWO;
then move hand downwards till
in front of centre of
body, at same time by wrist action turning hand till back upward and
1st finger pointing forward-inward.
THRICE
Hold either hand as THREE;
then move hand downwards
till in front of centre of
body, at same time by wrist action turning hand till back upward and 1st finger
pointing forward-inward.