B@Sfhead-PalmForward B@FromSfhead-PalmForward

American Sign Language

Alternative forms

• (moving the hand repeatedly from side to side) B@Sfhead-PalmForward Sidetoside
• The hand may be in various handshapes, including “flat B” (with the thumb at the side), “open B” (with the thumb extended), or “5” (spread fingers).
• The hand may be lower, e.g. at neck height, and may move in smaller or larger arcs for nuanced meanings and levels of formality.

Etymology

Based on a casual salute, a cross-cultural gesture that often accompanies greetings like hello.

Production

• This one-handed ASL sign is produced with a smile:
  1. Posture the dominant hand in the “B” handshape at the dominant side of the forehead, near the temple, palm facing forward.
  2. Hold the dominant hand briefly in this posture.
  3. Move the dominant hand to the following posture. Move head slightly forward.
  4. Posture the dominant hand in the “B” handshape about half an arm’s length in front and aside from the forehead, palm facing forward.
  5. Hold the dominant hand briefly in this posture.

Hold-move chart for B@Sfhead-PalmForward B@FromSfhead-PalmForward

dominant hand (strong)	type contour plane quality local movement	hold	move		hold
	Hand configuration Part of hand Proximity Spatial relation Contact location Part of hand facing Facing location Part of hand oriented Plane of orientation	‘B’ (Bo-) fingertip (TIFI) at (c) side of forehead (SF) fingertip (TIFI) ? (SF) hand vertical (VP)		‘B’ (Bo-) whole hand at (c) ? (m2SF) palm (IN) forward (VP) base of hand (BA) horizontal (HP)

• Stokoe: ȜB^⊤

Interjection

(ASL gloss: HELLO)

1. hello; hi; greetings