PocketSign
Basic

Set People in Space

Before a directional verb can move, the viewer needs to know who is where. Set each person in a clear spot first.

All Directional Verbs lessons
ASL signer setting up two people in signing space for directional verbs

Before You Start: Space Is a Small Map

Directional verbs only work when the people or places in the sentence have clear spots.

ASL signer ready to teach directional verbs with clear face and hands
Pick a spotPut one person, group, or place in a steady spot in front of you.Example: FRIEND can live on your left for this sentence.
ASL signer moving a directional verb from one person toward another person
Move with purposeThe movement of the verb shows who acts and who receives the action.The direction is part of the grammar, not just extra motion.

Learn It

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

Directional verbs use signing space to show who is doing something to whom.

First, set up the people or places. You can name a person, then point to a spot for that person.

Keep the spot steady. If FRIEND is on your left, keep using that left spot when FRIEND is part of the sentence.

This makes signs like GIVE, HELP, TELL, ASK, SHOW, and SEND much clearer.

Name firstTell the viewer who the spot stands for before you use the spot.
Keep it steadyUse the same spot again when you mean the same person.
Then moveAfter the spots are clear, the verb can move between them.

Try It

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

  1. English:My friend is on my left.Decide the spot:Name FRIEND, then point to one left-side spot.Now sign:FRIEND-left.
  2. English:The teacher is on my right.Decide the spot:Name TEACHER, then point to one right-side spot.Now sign:TEACHER-right.
  3. English:My friend tells the teacher.Decide the path:Keep FRIEND on the left and TEACHER on the right, then move TELL from the friend spot toward the teacher spot.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 lineFRIEND-left.
MeaningMy friend is set up on the left.
TipThe left spot now stands for FRIEND.
Hand movementFRIEND-leftName FRIEND and place that friend in one clear left-side spot.
ASL lineTEACHER-right.
MeaningThe teacher is set up on the right.
TipThe right spot now stands for TEACHER.
Hand movementTEACHER-rightName TEACHER and place that teacher in one clear right-side spot.
ASL lineFRIEND-left,TEACHER-right,TELL left-to-right.
MeaningMy friend tells the teacher.
TipThe verb path moves from the friend spot toward the teacher spot.
Hand movementleft-to-rightStart the directional verb at the friend spot and move it toward the teacher spot.

Common Mistake

Do not set up a person on one side, then point to a different side later by accident. That can make it look like a new person.

Deeper Note

A little more grammar

Some ASL teachers call these spots loci. You do not need the term first. The useful idea is simple: a spot can stand for a person, and a directional verb can move from one spot to another.