PocketSign
Practice

CL:G for Thin Things

CL:G can show thinness, a small gap, a thin strip, or something held with a tiny pinch.

All Classifiers lessons
ASL signer showing a G handshape for thinness

Learn It

Start with the simple version, then practice it with real signs.

CL:G uses the thumb and index finger close together with a small gap.

The gap can show how thin something is, such as a thin book, shallow water, a narrow strip, or a small frame.

It can also show tiny pinchers, like using tweezers or picking up a very thin thing.

Gap shows sizeMake the gap wider or narrower to show thickness.
Thin edgeUse it for thin books, strips, frames, or shallow layers.
Tiny pinchUse small movement when the hand is acting like pinchers.

Try It

Practice slowly. Make the classifier movement clear and keep the location steady.

  1. Sign BOOK, then use CL:G to show that it is thin.
  2. Sign WATER, then use CL:G low and flat to show a shallow layer.
  3. Pretend to use tweezers by moving CL:G carefully toward a tiny item.

Simple Examples

Read the ASL line first. A dark green pill explains the classifier movement, not an extra sign.

ASL lineBOOK,CL:G thin.
MeaningThe book is thin.
TipThe small gap shows the thickness.
Classifier movementthinHold the CL:G gap steady to show how thin the book is.
ASL lineWATER,CL:G shallow.
MeaningThe water is shallow.
TipKeep the movement low and level.
Classifier movementshallowKeep CL:G low and level to show a shallow layer.
ASL lineSMALL-THING,CL:G pick-up.
MeaningPick up a tiny thing.
TipThe hand acts like small pinchers.
Classifier movementpick-upUse a tiny pinching movement with CL:G toward the small item.

Common Mistake

Do not leave the gap random. The distance between thumb and finger should match the thickness you mean.

Deeper Note

A little more grammar

CL:G is useful because the handshape itself can change size. That small change gives the viewer visual information right away.