THREE in sign language

Here is how to tell the number "three" in American Sign Language.

Meaning: three, two plus one, 3.

Pronunciation/articulation: Dominant "3" handshape, palm in for a cardinal number. The "3" handshape is formed by the extended thumb, forefinger and middle finger while the ring finger and pinky are closed.

The palm of the number is usually outward in some contexts, such as age, time, phone number, and others.

Related vocabulary: Between TWO and FOUR.

Hearing culture

In American hearing culture, what we deaf people observed is that non-signing hearing people tends to gesture "three" with the three middle fingers -- index finger, middle finger, and ring finger while the pinky and the thumb connects. Palm orientation faces inward (in front of the sign), where the ASL number "6" faces outward.

Culturally competent Deaf signers sometimes gestured the hearing way after they use the regular ASL number and then a hearing double checked with their hearing way.

Usage/Grammar

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Written ASL

[Note: ASL writing is not an official standard. This sign language writing remains in a state of open space to allow room for experiment, evolution, and improvement.]

ASL writing for THREE

Contributed by ASLwrite.

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