The sign 'stay' uses both hands. Press the index, middle, and ring fingers down on both hands, leaving the thumb and pinkie fingers outstretched in the Y hand shape. Press the tips of the two thumbs together. Bring the hands down.
Sign 'please', then form the two 'Y' hands with your thumbs touching. Bring them down gently to sign 'stay', and finish by pointing down for 'here'.
Sign 'I' and 'want', then perform the downward motion with your connected 'Y' hands for 'stay', and finish with the sign for 'home'.
After signing 'dog', use a firm, deliberate downward motion with your connected 'Y' hands to emphasize the command 'stay'.
Sign 'please', then form the two 'Y' hands with your thumbs touching. Bring them down gently to sign 'stay', and finish by pointing down for 'here'.
Sign 'I' and 'want', then perform the downward motion with your connected 'Y' hands for 'stay', and finish with the sign for 'home'.
After signing 'dog', use a firm, deliberate downward motion with your connected 'Y' hands to emphasize the command 'stay'.
Yes, the speed of your downward motion changes the tone of the sign. A quick, sharp drop indicates a firm command, like telling a dog to stay. A slower, gentler downward movement suggests a polite request, like asking a friend to stay.
While your thumbs are pressed together, your pinkies should naturally point outward in opposite directions. Just focus on maintaining a strong 'Y' handshape on both hands, and your pinkies will naturally fall into the correct outward-facing position.
The specific variation taught here uses both hands to clearly emphasize the concept. While you might see some signers use a one-handed version in casual conversation, practicing this two-handed method with the thumbs touching ensures your signing is clear and easily understood.
