Signs and Symbols 1
©2019 People First Forum Redesigned from original work “Dorset Total Communication Signs and Symbols” (2005)
Signalong descriptions are reproduced under licence from Signalong and cannot be altered without permission. www.signalong.org.uk
Photosymbols and Widgit symbols have also been reproduced under licence. www.photosymbols.com www.widgit.com
Produced in association with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust and People First Dorset. Thanks to Kirsty Mayhew, Sarah Joslin and the Speech and Language Therapy team for their expertise and assistance. Thanks to the signers: Amanda Frost, James Bowen, Jo Davis, John Cotton and Natalie Joy, and to People First Forum, Regard the Stable Family Home Trust for supporting them. Thanks to the photographers: Anna Harris, Emily Snelling and Matt Tarling.
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Contents 1. Introduction
2. Why use signing 3. How to sign
4. Fingerspelling alphabet
5. Signalong hand shapes 6. Useful contacts 7. 101 signs and symbols
1. Introduction What does communication help us do?
Make choices
Influence people
Have relationships
Learn things
Express ourselves
Show our personality
Tell stories
Ask questions
Share memories
‌ and so much more! 4
1. Introduction For someone who finds it difficult to use spoken words, signing can be the difference between being able to do these things and not. This book of signs and symbols has been written to support good communication between people, their friends, family, carers and staff. Use the book to learn signs, point to pictures, or whatever works best for you. Be creative with your communication and make it right for everyone. Above all, make it fun! 5
2. Why use signing Many people find it easier to understand speech if it is used with hand signs. It gives a stronger message, because we are using more of our senses. It also makes the person who is communicating the message slow down, think about what they are saying, and use easier words. So, signing is not just for people who are deaf or cannot speak. It can help lots of people.
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3. How to sign Think of what you want to say. Sign the words in the sentence that carry the most meaning. These are called ‘key’ words. Here is an example. The key words are in bold: Have you got your bag and coat?
Do not try to sign every word in the sentence. Use finger spelling for the first letter of names and places (see next page). Finally … Always speak and sign! 7
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5. Hand shapes
Bent hand
Bunched hand
“C� hand
Clawed hand
Closed hand
Closed pinched hand 9
5. Hand shapes
Cupped hand
Fist hand
Flat hand
Full “C” hand
Full “O” hand
Index hand 10
5. Hand shapes
“L” hand
Little finger hand
“N” hand
“O” hand
Open hand
Open pinched hand 11
5. Hand shapes
Parallel flat hand
“R” hand
Thumb hand
“V” hand
“Y” hand 12
6. Useful contacts Training and resources Speech and Language Therapy Team Learning Disability Services Hillcrest 31 Slades Farm Road Ensbury Park Bournemouth BH10 4EU 01202 636 174 www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk
Signalong The Communication Charity 1 Old Winery Business Park Cawston Norwich NR10 4FE 03301 200 770 www.signalong.org.uk
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6. Useful contacts Easy read design and advice People First Dorset 2 Herringston Barn Dorchester Dorset DT2 9PT 01305 257 600 www.peoplefirstdorset.org.uk
People First Forum Rossmore Leisure Centre Herbert Avenue Poole BH12 4HR 01202 746 040 www.peoplefirstforum.co.uk
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7. 101 signs and symbols Easy read description
Signalong description
Widgit symbol
Photosymbol
15
angry Clawed hands move up and down
Clawed hands (palms in, pointing forward) at waist height, move up and down alternately with emphasis.
16
bag Mime picking up bag
Working fist (palm in, pointing down) by side of body makes small forward movement.
17
bath Mime washing your body with your hands
Mime bathing e.g. rubbing arms etc.
18
beach Move hand like a wave down your arm
Supporting closed hand (palm down, pointing in); working flat hand (palm down, pointing forward) moves out along supporting forearm with wavy motion.
19
boat Fingertips touching move forwards
Flat hands (palms in/ back, pointing forward/ in) with fingertips touching move forwards.
20
book Mime opening a book
Flat hands (palms together, pointing forward) open to palms up, little fingers remaining in contact.
21
brother Close your hands and rub your knuckles up and down
Closed hands (palms in, pointing forward) rub together at knuckles.
22
brush teeth Mime brushing teeth by moving your finger across your teeth Working index hand (palm down, pointing in) mimes brushing teeth.
23
bus Mime turning large flat wheel
Full “O� hands (palms in, pointing down) mime holding flat steering wheel and steering.
24
cafe 1. Draw outline 1. of shop sign 2. Tap mouth 2. “L� hands (palms forward, pointing up) together at head height, move out a short way; then working bunched hand (palm back, pointing up) taps twice at working side of mouth.
25
car Mime turning car steering wheel
Full “O� hands (palms in, pointing forward) mime steering.
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cereal Mime holding cereal box and shaking it
Full “C� hands (palms in pointing forward) mime holding and shaking cereal box.
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choose Mime picking something up and moving it towards you Working open pinched hand (palm forward, pointing up) moves back to signer, becoming closed pinched hand.
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cinema Wriggle your fingers and put finger from your other hand across your wrist Working open hand (palm forward, pointing up) behind supporting index (palm back, pointing in); working hand quivers.
29
clothes Brush hands down body 2 times
Flat hands (palms back, pointing in/up) brush down upper body twice
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coat Mime putting on coat
Closed hands mime pulling on coat, follow with mimed zip or buttons as appropriate if necessary.
31
coffee Make a “C” shape and move your hand to your mouth Working “C” hand (palm in, pointing forward) moves up towards mouth as though drinking finishing pointing up.
32
cold Mime shivering
Hunched shoulders, fists in front of body (palms in, pointing forward) mime shivering.
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computer 1.
1. Mime typing 2. Make shape of small screen 2. Clawed hands (palms down, pointing forward) mime typing; then index hands (palms down, pointing forward) outline small screen.
34
dentist Point at mouth, make hook shape and move down
Working “R� hand (palm back, pointing in) held in front of mouth, makes short, sharp movement down.
35
dinner Move pairs of fingers up and down
“N� hands (palms back, pointing in) move alternately to mouth.
36
doctor Hold wrist with finger and thumb
Working extended index and thumb hold supporting wrist.
37
draw Move two fingers over hand in a wavy line
Working ‘N’ hand (palm back/up, pointing in) moves in wavy line across supporting hand (palm up, pointing in).
38
drink Mime holding a cup and move it to your mouth Working full “C� hand (palm in, pointing forward) moves up to mouth turning point up.
39
eat Tap your mouth with your finger tips and thumb Working bunched hand (palm back, pointing up) taps twice at working side of mouth.
40
father Fingerspell “F” 2 times
Make letter shape “F” twice.
41
friend Hold your hands
Working hand (palm back, pointing in/down) clasps supporting hand (palm back, pointing in/down).
42
garden 1. Make a circle with your flat hand 2. Mime smelling a flower Working flat hand (palm down pointing in) makes inward circle to sign “place”; then working bunched hand (palm back, pointing up) held under the nose, waves from side to side to sign “flower”.
43
give Move flat hands towards the another person
Flat hands (palms up, pointing forward) move towards receiver. “Give me�: hands move back to signer, fingertips turn to body (palms up, pointing back.) Directional sign.
44
glasses Point and make a circle around your eyes
Index hands (palms back, pointing up) circle inwards around eyes once.
45
go Point and move your finger where you want to go Working index hand, sweeps away from body. Directional sign. Index finger flicks away from body in indeterminate direction to sign “gone�.
46
good Thumbs up
Working thumb hand (palm back, pointing in) held up in front of body. Directional sign.
47
goodbye Wave your flat hand from side to side
Working flat hand (palm forward, pointing up) waves twice.
48
happy Cup your hands and move 1 2 times over the other Working cupped hand strikes twice across supporting palm moving towards heel of hand.
49
hearing aid Point at ear and move finger around the top of ear
Working index hand (palm forward, pointing up) outlines shape of hearing aid.
50
hello Make a thumbs up and twist backwards and forwards Working thumb hand (palm back, pointing in) held up in front of body, twists backwards and forwards at wrist. Directional sign.
51
help Put your fist on your flat hand and move them up and forward Blade of working fist rests on supporting palm; formation moves up/forwards. “HELP ME�; move formation up/back. Directional sign.
52
holiday 1. Put your hands 1. at side of head 2. Move hands forwards, turning 2. Flat hands (palms in/down, pointing in/up), tips of indexes against sides of forehead, move forwards/out while turning to palms forward, pointing in/up.
53
home Bend your hand and make an arch shape
Working bent hand (palm in, pointing up) bends inwards from wrist while moving in a short way, finishing palm down, pointing in.
54
hot (weather) Mime wiping hand across forehead
Working flat hand (palm back, pointing in) moves across forehead to working side.
55
hot (food) Move your hand quickly across mouth
Working flat hand (palm back, pointing up) moves quickly from mouth to working side.
56
I Point at yourself
Working index hand points to chest.
57
ill Put your little fingers against your chest and move them down Little finger hands (palms out, pointing up) at upper chest, drop in straight line to waist level.
58
iPad 1. Fingerspell the letter “I”
1.
2. Swipe across
2.
Make letter shape “I”; then supporting wide full “C” hand (palm in, pointing forward) shows shape of tablet while working index hand mimes scrolling on screen.
59
key Mime turning key with finger and thumb
Working closed pinched hand mimes turning key on supporting palm.
60
like Tap hand at chest height
Working flat hand (palm back, pointing in/up) taps supporting side of upper chest twice.
61
listen Cup your hand behind your ear
Working cupped hand (palm forward, pointing up) behind ear.
62
look Finger moves from side of eye towards object Working index (palm in, pointing up) moves from side of eye towards object. Directional sign.
63
love Flat hands crossed over chest
Flat hands crossed over chest, working hand in front.
64
man Mime stroking chin
Working parallel flat hand (palm back, pointing in/up) strokes down chin, thumb and fingers closing just below chin level.
65
medicine Make a cup shape and mime stirring with little finger Supporting full “C” hand (palm in, pointing forward) in front of body; working little finger hand (palm back, pointing down) mimes stirring inside supporting “C”.
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meeting 1. Point and circle fingers
1.
2. Bend fingers and make square Index hands; working hand (palm down, pointing forward/in) above supporting hand (palm up, pointing forward/in); hands make parallel inward circles; then bent index hands (palms down, pointing forward) trace square shape as illustrated.
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2.
milk Mime milking a cow with cup shaped
Full “C� hands (palms in, pointing forward) move up and down alternately with gentle squeezing action. NB. The hands do not close.
68
money Rub thumb and fingers together above flat hand Thumb of working bunched hand rubs across fingertips, hand held above supporting flat hand (palm up, pointing forward/in).
69
more Make a cup shape and put your flat hand on top of it Working hand (palm up, pointing forward) moves and turns over onto supporting full “C� hand (palm in, pointing forward).
70
mother Fingerspell “M” 2 times
Make letter shape “M” twice.
71
music Point fingers and twist wrists
Index hands (palms in pointing forward) make small outward then inward downward arcs, moving from wrists.
72
name Put 2 fingers on your forehead, then twist them away from you Working “N� hand (palm back, pointing up) fingers against centre forehead, moves forwards turning to palm forward.
73
no Put your hand up and move it across your chest
Working flat hand (palm forward, pointing up) moves sharply to working side.
74
nurse Using your thumb, make a cross shape on your arm
Working thumb hand draws a cross on supporting upper arm.
75
pain Claw shaped hand shakes over painful area Working clawed hand shakes over painful area. Directional sign. Use appropriate facial expression.
76
party Twist “Y” shaped hands and sway
“Y” hands (palms in, pointing up) in front of shoulders, twist to palms back pointing up. Repeat action while body sways.
77
phone Use “Y” shaped hand to mime holding phone to ear
Working “Y” hand (palm in/back, pointing in/up) by side of face.
78
photo Open hand pulls back and closes
Working parallel flat hand (palm forward, pointing up) moves back sharply while fingers close onto thumb. (Directional sign).
79
please Flat hand drops from lips towards waist
Working flat hand (palm back, pointing up) fingers in front of bottom lip, drops forward and down (palm up, pointing forward).
80
pub Bend hand at shoulder. Make fist with other hand and move up to other shoulder Supporting bent hand (palm in, pointing up) held in front of shoulder as working fist (palm in pointing forward) arcs back towards body.
81
sad Point at sides of mouth and move fingers down
Index hands (palms back, pointing in/up) at sides of lips make a short downward movement.
82
sandwich Put palms one above the other then swap Working flat hand (palm down, pointing in) above supporting flat hand (palm up, pointing in). Reverse positions to working hand (palm up) and supporting hand (palm down).
83
shave Mime shaving with thumb
Working thumb hand (palm in, pointing up) moves down cheek twice.
84
shop Point hands down and curl fingertips as you move hands up Flat hands (palms back, pointing down) pull up towards body while fingers curl under. Hands do not change into closed hands or fists.
85
shower Put hand over head and open and close 2 times
Working full “O� hand above head springs open twice.
86
sign Open hands move in circles
Open hands (palms in pointing forward) move in alternate forward circles.
87
sister Fingerspell “R” and tap nose 2 times
Working “R” hand (palm in, pointing up) taps bridge of nose twice.
88
sit Put 1 flat hand on top of the other Flat hands (palms down, pointing in) working hand on top, make short sharp downward movement.
89
sleep Put hands by eyes and close fingers on thumbs Parallel flat hands (palms in/down, pointing in/up) by side of eyes; fingers close on to thumbs.
90
sorry Closed hand moves in a circle against
Working closed hand (palm back, pointing in) moves in small inwards circle against chest. Use appropriate facial expression.
91
stop Hold flat hand up in front of body
Working flat hand (palm forward, pointing up) is held in front of working side of body.
92
sugar Clawed hand scratches at cheek
Working clawed hand (palm in, pointing up) scratches at cheek.
93
support worker 1. Sign “help”
1.
2. Sign “work”
2.
Blade of working fist rests on supporting flat hand (palm up, pointing forward/in); formation moves forward/up, then flat hands (palms in/back, pointing forward/in); blade of working hand taps on supporting index twice. Directional sign.
94
swim Flat hands circle out
Flat hands (palms together, pointing forward) circle out.
95
tablets Point at hand and make small circle
Working index hand traces small circle on supporting palm.
96
talk Point at lips and move finger away
Working index hand (palm in, pointing up) moves forwards from lips.
97
taxi Point up as you click and twist fingers Working hand with extended index held up beside head (palm in, pointing up), middle finger clicks off thumb while hand twists at wrist to palm back.
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tea Mime drinking with cup and saucer, little finger pointing out Working full “O� hand with little finger extended (palm in, pointing forward) moves from supporting flat hand (palm up, pointing forward/in) towards mouth finishing pointing up.
99
television Fingerspell “T” and “V”
Make letter shape “T”; “V”.
100
thank you Flat hand makes a short movement forward Working flat hand (palm back, pointing up) fingers in front of bottom lip, makes a short forward movement.
101
toilet Middle finger brushes chest on opposite side Extended middle finger of working hand (palm back, pointing in/up) brushes supporting side of upper chest.
102
town Bend hand at shoulder. Make a claw with other hand and then make 3 movements across. Supporting hand (palm in, pointing up) signs “building�*; then working clawed hand (palm down, pointing forward) makes three small downward movements while travelling from supporting to working side. *Building: working bent hand (palm in, pointing up) in front of shoulder.
103
train Closed hand moves in small circles
Working closed hand (palm in, pointing forward) moves in small forward circles.
104
walk Walk fingers along arm
Working “V” hand (palm out, pointing down) “walks” along supporting forearm from back of hand to elbow.
105
wash Mime washing
Mime appropriate washing action eg: wash hands - as illustrated; wash hair clawed hands on head. Otherwise use appropriate action and handshape.
106
water Cup hand and run back of fingers up and down cheek Working cupped hand (palm forward, pointing in) backs of fingers rub up and down against cheek.
107
what Point finger up and bend hand forwards and backwards Working index hand (palm in, pointing up) by side of face bends forwards and backwards at wrist several times.
108
wheelchair Mime turning wheels of your own wheelchair
Fists at sides of hips move in forward arcs twice.
109
where Flat hands circle outwards
Flat hands (palms up, pointing forward) circle outwards.
110
woman Point finger and brush forwards and down cheek
Working extended index (palm in, pointing up) brushes forward and down cheek.
111
work Tap edges of flat hands together 2 times Flat hands (palms in/back, pointing forward/in); blade of working hand taps on supporting index twice.
112
worried Point up at side of head and take turns moving fingers backwards and forwards Index hands (palms back, pointing up) at either side of forehead, make short alternate movements backwards and forwards.
113
write Use thumb and 2 fingers to mime writing on a flat hand Working hand with bunched thumb, index and middle fingers mimes writing over supporting flat hand (palm up pointing forward/in).
114
yes Nod your fist up and down by your head Working closed hand (palm forward, pointing up) by side of head, bends down and up in nodding action.
115
you Point finger at person
Working index hand (palm in, pointing forward) indicates person. Directional sign.
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Index of signs Sign Angry Bag Bath Beach Boat Book Brother Brush teeth Bus Cafe Car Cereal Choose Cinema Clothes Coat Coffee Cold Computer Dentist Dinner Doctor Draw Drink Eat
Page 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
Sign Father Friend Garden Give Glasses Go Good Goodbye Happy Hearing Aid Hello Help Holiday Home Hot Hot food I Ill iPad Key Like Listen Look Love Man
Page 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66
Sign Medicine Meeting Milk Money More Mother Music Name No Nurse Pain Party Phone Photo Please Pub Sad Sandwich Shave Shop Shower Sign Sister Sit Sleep Sorry
Page 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92
Sign Stop Sugar Support worker Swim Tablets Talk Taxi Tea Television Thank you Toilet Town Train Walk Wash Water What Wheelchair Where Woman Work Worried Write Yes You
Page 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117