How to sign "that" and phrases in American Sign Language (ASL)?
Definition: used to refer to a person, object, idea, etc. that is separated from the speaker by space or time; used to refer to something that has been mentioned or was involved earlier, or to something that is already known about.
Pronunciation (production): Dominant "Y" (handshape), palm generally down (orientation), in space (location), moves downward (movement).
Grammar: The THAT sign may be inflected with the subject-determiner agreement.
Pronunciation (production): Dominant "Y" (handshape), palm generally down (orientation), moves downward (movement) onto the non-dominant flat-B with palm up (location).
Formal citation; the passive palm in this ASL sign is not frequently used, usually signing THAT without the passive hand. Signing THAT with the passive palm may be used in some circumstances. E.g. "IX-he TOLD ME THAT [emphasis]..." Or, "THAT's WHY".
In English, two determiners "this" and "that" are used depending on the referents in a sentence, while the determiner in ASL is locative in specific to a referent.
Meaning: that (determiner).
This signed determiner "that" can be a general locative or a locative-specific agreement in a sentence.
The ASL sign/word THAT can be locally inflected in agreement with the subject or object.
The gloss for this sign is usually noted as "THAT-ONE" or "THAT-IX". A link to the post explaining this usage and complex explanation will be added shortly.
In Deaf ASL-speaking culture, "THAT!" is often used by fluent and native Deaf signers.
Meaning: That!
It may be used at the end of a sentence or within a paragraph after something is explained or clarified. That!
In other contexts, the plural signword "THAT+++!" is used to convey something like "yes, exactly!", "yes, that's the whole point!", "yes, exactly that!" and such.
First 100 words.
As you feel more comfortable with the first few hundreds of ASL signs, progress further with your vocabulary and learn signing more.