PocketSign
Basic

Move Toward the Receiver

For many directional verbs, the sign starts with the person doing the action and moves toward the person receiving it.

All Directional Verbs lessons
ASL signer showing a directional verb moving toward the receiver

Learn It

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

Many directional verbs move from the doer toward the receiver.

If I give to you, the movement starts near me and goes toward you.

If you help me, the movement starts away from me and comes toward me.

This is why you often do not need to sign every English pronoun separately. The verb direction already carries some of that meaning.

Doer to receiverFor verbs like GIVE, HELP, TELL, SHOW, and SEND, the movement usually points toward the receiver.
Me and youToward your own body can mean me. Toward the viewer can mean you.
Look thereEye gaze can help the viewer see which spot the verb is moving toward.

Try It

Practice slowly. Watch how the hand movement changes the meaning.

  1. English:I give to you.Decide the direction:Start near yourself and move GIVE toward the viewer.Now sign:ME GIVE-you.
  2. English:You help me.Decide the direction:Start away from your body and move HELP toward yourself.Now sign:YOU HELP-me.
  3. English:I show her.Decide the direction:Set HER on one side, then move SHOW from yourself toward that spot.Now sign:HER-right,ME SHOW-to-right.
  4. English:My friend tells the teacher.Decide the direction:Use the two spots you set up, then move TELL from FRIEND toward TEACHER.Now sign:FRIEND-left,TEACHER-right,TELL left-to-right.

Simple Examples

Read the ASL line first. A dark green pill names the hand movement or lack of extra movement.

ASL lineME GIVE-you.
MeaningI give it to you.
TipThe verb moves away from the signer toward the other person.
Hand movementGIVE-youMove GIVE from your space toward the person you are giving to.
ASL lineYOU HELP-me.
MeaningYou help me.
TipThe movement comes back toward the signer.
Hand movementHELP-meMove HELP toward your own body to show that you receive the help.
ASL lineFRIEND-left TELL TEACHER-right. left-to-right
MeaningThe friend tells the teacher.
TipUse the two spots, then aim TELL toward the receiver.
Hand movementleft-to-rightMove TELL from the left friend spot toward the right teacher spot.
ASL lineME SEND-to-right.
MeaningI send it to that person or place.
TipSEND can point toward a person, group, or place you already set up.
Hand movementSEND-to-rightMove SEND from yourself toward the right-side spot.

Common Mistake

Do not sign the verb straight forward every time. Aim the movement toward the person or spot that receives the action.

Deeper Note

A little more grammar

The detailed reference calls these indicating or agreement verbs. In learner terms, the verb agrees with the people in the sentence by moving through signing space.