To sign 'dash,' form your dominant hand into a 'G' handshape, with your index finger and thumb extended and pointing sideways. Starting in front of your chest, pull your hand a short distance outward to the side, tracing a horizontal line in the air. This quick motion mimics drawing a dash or hyphen.
When sharing a phone number, sign the first few digits, then use the 'dash' sign before continuing. This helps clearly separate the number segments just like in written text, making it much easier for the other person to follow and remember the sequence.
To explain hyphenated words, sign the first word, perform the 'dash' sign in the space right in front of you, and then sign the second word. This perfectly illustrates the grammatical connection and shows exactly where the punctuation belongs.
When dictating a URL or email address, fingerspell the letters and use this sign whenever a hyphen appears. Keep the sign small and close to your body so it flows naturally with your fingerspelling without disrupting your rhythm.
When sharing a phone number, sign the first few digits, then use the 'dash' sign before continuing. This helps clearly separate the number segments just like in written text, making it much easier for the other person to follow and remember the sequence.
To explain hyphenated words, sign the first word, perform the 'dash' sign in the space right in front of you, and then sign the second word. This perfectly illustrates the grammatical connection and shows exactly where the punctuation belongs.
When dictating a URL or email address, fingerspell the letters and use this sign whenever a hyphen appears. Keep the sign small and close to your body so it flows naturally with your fingerspelling without disrupting your rhythm.
No, this specific sign is exclusively used for the punctuation mark, such as a hyphen or a dash in text. If you want to talk about running fast or a track event, you would use the ASL sign for 'run' or 'sprint' instead, which involves a completely different hand movement.
While some signers might use a single index finger to draw a quick line, using the 'G' handshape (with the index finger and thumb extended) is the standard and clearest way to sign 'dash.' It visually mimics holding a writing utensil or showing the actual thickness of the punctuation mark.
It depends on your preference and the context. Many fluent signers simply pause briefly between the segments of a phone number instead of signing 'dash.' However, if you need to be extremely clear or if you are dictating something exactly as it is written, using the 'dash' sign is perfectly acceptable.
