The sign "goodnight" is a compound of the signs GOOD and NIGHT. When you compound (join together) two signs you tend to reduce the movement and contacts of the original signs. "Goodnight" is not two signs strung together -- rather it is a single sign that is specifically used to wish someone well as you separate for the evening.

The sign for "night" is made by holding your non-dominant arm horizontally, palm down, pointing to the side. (If you are right handed that means your left arm would be pointing toward the right.) Put your dominant hand's wrist on the back of your non-dominant hand, fingertips pointing down.

For example, the sign would probably mean "good" if it preceded the sign "NIGHT" (as in the phrase "good night." 2. Direction of the sign: The sign "THANKS" tends to be done toward the person (or thing) to or for which the signer is feeling thankful.

To do the sign for "afternoon" just hold your dominant flat hand at a "2 o'clock" position pointing ahead and somewhat up. AFTERNOON: Sample sentence: "Do you work in the afternoon?"

Even though the sign "morning" normally uses two hands, quite often we will just use one hand in expressing such a common everyday phrase as "Good morning." The one-handed version is rather useful for when you are holding a cup of hot chocolate while signing GOOD-MORNING.

To do the sign for "whisper" cup your passive hand at the side of your mouth and use your dominant hand to do the sign for "TALK" (The variation that uses a 4-hand at the mouth). Notes: Another way this sign is done is by leaning forward a bit, and cupping your dominant hand at the side of your mouth (without needing to do the "TALK" sign).

American Sign Language (ASL) Dictionary and Lessons. all-night-long

The sign for "day" is made by holding your non-dominant arm (the left arm for most people) in front of you, palm down, pointing right. Your non-dominant hand can be in either a "flat handshape" or an "index finger handshape."

"BEST" and "BETTER" are derivatives of "GOOD." Memory Aid: An interesting way to think of "BETTER" is as a combination of "GOOD + ER," and "BEST" as a combination of "GOOD + EST." GOOD: (For more info, check out the " GOOD " page.)

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