To sign 'can I have some water', start with the sign for CAN by moving both 'S' handshapes downward, then point to your chest with your index finger for I. Next, sign HAVE by bringing the fingertips of both bent hands to touch your chest. Finish the phrase by signing SOME, slicing the pinky edge of your dominant hand across your open non-dominant palm, and then WATER, tapping the index finger of a 'W' handshape against your chin.
Sign the phrase 'can I have some water' using the sequence described, and then add the sign for 'please' by rubbing an open flat hand in a circular motion on your chest.
First, sign 'I thirsty' by pointing to yourself and running your index finger down your throat. Then, smoothly transition into the phrase 'can I have some water' with raised eyebrows.
Sign 'can I have some water', then add the concept of 'with ice' by bringing your hands together and forming claw shapes to represent freezing.
Sign the phrase 'can I have some water' using the sequence described, and then add the sign for 'please' by rubbing an open flat hand in a circular motion on your chest.
First, sign 'I thirsty' by pointing to yourself and running your index finger down your throat. Then, smoothly transition into the phrase 'can I have some water' with raised eyebrows.
Sign 'can I have some water', then add the concept of 'with ice' by bringing your hands together and forming claw shapes to represent freezing.
While this specific sequence signs 'can I have some water' word-for-word, fluent ASL users often simplify requests to just 'WATER PLEASE' while using a questioning facial expression. However, learning the full phrase is excellent practice for your ASL vocabulary!
In ASL, raised eyebrows are the grammatical marker for a yes/no question. Without them, your signs might be interpreted as a simple statement, like 'I can have some water,' rather than a question asking for a drink.
Yes, you should always use your dominant hand for one-handed signs like WATER. For two-handed asymmetrical signs like SOME, your dominant hand should be the one doing the active 'slicing' motion while your non-dominant hand acts as the stationary base.
