Signing For Dummies (10 page)

English:
She drives a car.

Sign:
SHE DRIVES CAR

Sign:
CAR SHE DRIVES

If you have a sentence that may be misunderstood if you change the word order, leave it in the natural English order. For example, if you want to say “Joe loves Sue,” you need to sign JOE LOVES SUE. Changing it around to SUE LOVES JOE doesn’t convey the same meaning. (Having said that, we really hope that Sue does love Joe in return.)

Okay. So you’re signing sentences with direct objects. Now, try to take your Signing skills one step further by signing
indirect objects.
(Another quick grammar reminder: Indirect objects are words that come between the verb and direct object; they indicate who or what receives the direct object.) You place the indirect object right after the subject and then show the action. These sentences show you the correct order.

English:
The girl throws the dog a bone.

Sign:
GIRL — DOG BONE — THROW

English:
I give the teacher apples.

Sign:
ME TEACHER — APPLES GIVE

Signing sentences in an understandable order may be a bit tricky at first. If the person you’re signing to is leaning forward, has an inquisitive look, or seems distracted, he or she probably doesn’t understand you. You may want to try signing that sentence again.

Signin’ the Sign

Linda and Buddy are at work. The restaurant will be opening in one hour, and they’re taking a quick breather before it opens.

Linda:
The chairs look nice.

Sign:
CHAIRS — LOOK NICE

Buddy:
That pizza smells good.

Sign:
PIZZA — SMELLS GOOD

Linda:
We’re finished. I’m going to eat now.

Sign:
WE FINISH — NOW — ME EAT

Buddy:
Sit. I’ll bring you some pizza.

Sign:
SIT — PIZZA — BRING YOU WILL