FlatB@IpsiChest-FingerUpPalmAcross RoundHoriz FlatB@ContraChest-FingerUpPalmAside

American Sign Language

Alternative forms

• This sign may be made with the regular “B” handshape (i.e. with the thumb tucked to the palm) or with the “open B” handshape (i.e. with the thumb extended).

Etymology

This sign uses the same handshape as all ASL possessives, e.g. FlatB@Chest-PalmBack (“my, mine”), and FlatB@Chesthigh-FingerUp RoundHoriz (“their, theirs”). Its location and movement matches that of 1^o-f@IpsiChest-FingerBack RoundHoriz 1^o-f@ContraChest-FingerBack (“we, us”).

Production

• This one-handed ASL sign is produced as follows:

  1. 

     Posture the dominant hand in the “flat B” handshape on the dominant side of the chest, extended finger(s) of the dominant hand pointing up. The radial (thumb) edge of the hand is in contact with the chest.
  2. Move the hand in an arc while rotating it so that it faces the opposite direction.

  3. 

     Posture the dominant hand in the “flat B” handshape on the nondominant side of the chest, extended finger(s) of the dominant hand pointing up. The ulnar (little finger) edge of the hand is in contact with the chest.
• If it is necessary to indicate which people other than the signer are the possessors, the signer may lean to the side near those people.

Adjective

(ASL gloss: OUR, POSS-PL-1)

1. our

Noun

(ASL gloss: OUR)

1. ours