To sign 'amount', start with both hands in front of your body, palms facing up, with your fingers closed into 'O' or 'S' shapes. Move both hands slightly upward while simultaneously springing your fingers open to form '5' handshapes. The motion resembles lightly tossing a handful of something into the air. This is the same sign commonly used for 'how much' or 'how many'.
To ask this, sign 'total' and then 'amount'. Since this is a 'wh-' question asking for a specific quantity, remember to furrow your eyebrows and tilt your head slightly forward as you sign.
Sign 'need', 'small', and then 'amount'. To emphasize that the quantity is small, you can make the upward opening motion of 'amount' smaller and more contained, paired with a subtle facial expression.
Sign 'food' followed by 'amount'. To show that it is a large quantity, make the upward opening motion of 'amount' much larger and more exaggerated, perhaps pairing it with wide eyes.
To ask this, sign 'total' and then 'amount'. Since this is a 'wh-' question asking for a specific quantity, remember to furrow your eyebrows and tilt your head slightly forward as you sign.
Sign 'need', 'small', and then 'amount'. To emphasize that the quantity is small, you can make the upward opening motion of 'amount' smaller and more contained, paired with a subtle facial expression.
Sign 'food' followed by 'amount'. To show that it is a large quantity, make the upward opening motion of 'amount' much larger and more exaggerated, perhaps pairing it with wide eyes.
Yes! In ASL, the sign you use for 'amount' is the exact same sign used for 'how much' and 'how many'. The context of your sentence and your facial expressions will make it clear to the viewer which English concept you are conveying.
Instead of mouthing the English word, it is better to use ASL mouth morphemes to describe the size of the amount. For a very large amount, you might use the 'cha' mouth shape. For a tiny amount, you can use a tight 'ooo' mouth shape.
No, 'amount' is a symmetrical two-handed sign. Using both hands is necessary to clearly convey the visual concept of a gathered quantity or pile. Dropping one hand might confuse the viewer or make the sign look like a different word entirely.
