With both hands in fists with the exception of the index fingers and thumbs, which are curved so that it forms a circle when they come together. Start with the hands slightly apart and move the hands closer together. This is usually accompanied by a pursing or puckering of the lips.
Sign 'cake', then use the described curved index and thumb handshapes, moving them close together to visually show the thinness or small size of the slice, remembering to purse your lips.
After signing 'house', bring your curved index fingers and thumbs close together to emphasize the compact size of the home, puckering your lips to show it is cozy and little.
Sign 'problem', then use the described handshape and motion, bringing your hands close together with puckered lips to show that the issue is minor and easily manageable.
Sign 'cake', then use the described curved index and thumb handshapes, moving them close together to visually show the thinness or small size of the slice, remembering to purse your lips.
After signing 'house', bring your curved index fingers and thumbs close together to emphasize the compact size of the home, puckering your lips to show it is cozy and little.
Sign 'problem', then use the described handshape and motion, bringing your hands close together with puckered lips to show that the issue is minor and easily manageable.
In ASL, facial expressions and mouth shapes are a vital part of the grammar. Puckering your lips (often called the 'ooo' mouth morpheme) acts like an adjective, emphasizing that something is tiny, thin, or minor.
Your hands should come very close together, but they don't necessarily need to touch. The distance between your curved fingers at the end of the motion visually represents just how small the object or concept is.
This specific variation, using the curved index fingers and thumbs, is incredibly versatile. It can be used to describe the physical size of a small object, a thin width, or even a small amount or minor concept.
