Start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form your dominant hand into a pointing shape with the index finger extended. Place the tip of your dominant index finger on the heel of your non-dominant palm, then slide it forward and off the fingertips, as if sliding a coin to someone.
Sign 'pay' by sliding your dominant index finger outward and away from your body. This forward movement clearly shows that you are the one giving the money to someone else.
Because 'pay' is a directional sign, you can reverse the motion to change the meaning. Start at the fingertips and pull the dominant index finger back toward your body to mean 'pay me.'
You can direct the forward sliding motion of the sign toward the specific person, place, or imaginary location in your signing space that represents who is receiving the money.
Sign 'pay' by sliding your dominant index finger outward and away from your body. This forward movement clearly shows that you are the one giving the money to someone else.
Because 'pay' is a directional sign, you can reverse the motion to change the meaning. Start at the fingertips and pull the dominant index finger back toward your body to mean 'pay me.'
You can direct the forward sliding motion of the sign toward the specific person, place, or imaginary location in your signing space that represents who is receiving the money.
'Pay' is a directional sign, meaning you can change its meaning by changing its path. To sign 'pay me,' simply reverse the movement. Start with your dominant index finger at the fingertips of your non-dominant hand and slide it backward toward your body.
No, they are different signs! While both involve money and use the non-dominant flat palm, 'buy' uses a flattened 'O' handshape (like holding a wad of cash) that taps the palm and moves forward, whereas 'pay' uses a single index finger sliding across the palm.
You should always use your dominant hand for the moving part of the sign. If you are right-handed, your right index finger will slide across your left palm. If you are left-handed, your left index finger will slide across your right palm.
