To sign Alaska, start by forming an 'A' handshape with your dominant hand and place it near the top of your face, around your forehead or temple. Move your hand downward in a smooth arc along the curve of your face toward your chin. As your hand travels down, open your fingers to finish in a '5' handshape with your palm facing inward.
Sign 'I', 'want', 'visit', and finish with the sign for 'Alaska'.
Sign 'Alaska', then sign 'cold' while using your facial expressions to show that it is freezing.
Sign 'my', 'friend', 'live', and then 'Alaska'.
Sign 'I', 'want', 'visit', and finish with the sign for 'Alaska'.
Sign 'Alaska', then sign 'cold' while using your facial expressions to show that it is freezing.
Sign 'my', 'friend', 'live', and then 'Alaska'.
No, your hand does not need to physically touch your face. It should hover just slightly away from your skin as it traces the curve of your face from top to bottom.
You should use your dominant hand to sign Alaska. If you are right-handed, use your right hand; if you are left-handed, use your left hand.
While the '5' handshape with spread fingers is the most common and clearly shows the 'fur' of the hood, some signers do use a flat open hand. However, sticking to the '5' handshape is highly recommended for beginners.
