HAMMER OF JUSTICE

Each Court Trial begins and ends with the Judge’s Gavel, the symbol of the Magistrate’s judicial authority and courtroom order.

My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of a classic Judge in a White Wig and Black Robes shows the ASL hand sign for JUDGE.

The fist makes a double rapping movement, mimicking the banging of the judge’s gavel.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #judge #myasldictionary

FINAL JUDGEMENT

The next Authority for Decision Making is a Judge in the Courts.
The Scales of Justice represent the impartial and careful weighing of evidence and arguments before final judgment.

My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of a Female Judge in Black robes shows the ASL hand sign for the Verbs JUDGE and JUDGMENT.

Facing each other, both F hands alternating move up and down, like the weights on a scale.
OR
The index finger touches the temple, then both F hands alternate, moving up and down, as if thinking about the facts before weighing the evidence.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #judge #judgment #myasldictionary

METAL DETECTOR

My ASL Dictionary’s Facebook Page daily posts animated clips to update the dictionary and interact with fans of the book. Last week, a query was made regarding an alternative hand sign for METAL, a variant commonly used in Canada.

A cartoon of the Tin Man illustrates the ASL hand sign for METAL.

The tip of the crooked 1 hand taps the upper teeth or cheek twice. A visual reference to the tradition of biting gold to test its purity.
Similar to the hand sign for GLASS.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #metal #tinman #myasldictionary

Roughly 75% of known chemical elements are classified as metals. For Atomic number 50, Fingerspelling is used for the hand sign for TIN.

Thank you to Norma Barrineau for asking about this handsign.

RAIN FALL RELIEF

After enduring a week of the hot temperatures of early Summer Humidity, my hometown of Guelph will enjoy the relief of a 100% chance of Thundershowers and Rain. The Trees and Flowers will enjoy it too.

As a reminder of a November night, when I waited an hour in the rain for a bus after a cancelled ASL class, my ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of myself in a drenched Autumn coat shows the ASL hand sign for RAIN.

Both 5 hands move downward in front of the shoulders twice. The fingertips mimicking the falling raindrops.

Similar movement to the hand sign for NIAGARA FALLS.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #rain #myasldictionary

Previously Posted September 17, 2025, in RAIN FALL

CHOOSE WISELY


Every decision is a choice, and happiness is picking the right one.
A cartoon of a pondering Chef in a black apron illustrates the ASL hand sign for CHOICE.

The Open hand pulls back to the chest as the index finger and thumb close into an F hand.
A visual for picking something.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #choose #myasldictionary

DECISIONS DECISIONS

The Authority over Post-secondary education involves a Faculty Dean, an administrator responsible for all decisions regarding Academic Leadership, Faculty Management, Budgeting, Resources, Administration and Advocacy.

My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of a stoic Faculty Dean shows the ASL hand sign for DECIDE and DECISION.

Index finger touches the temple, then both F hands pull down in front of the body, a visual of thinking first and then laying down a final decision.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #decide #decisions #myasldictionary

FINDERS KEEPERS

Libraries contain a labyrinth of books, magazines, digital resources and archives. Before online searches and index cards in the Card Catalogue, there was the Librarian, the skilled professional at navigating the maze and finding any hidden books you were after.
My ASL Dictionary has a cartoon of a Librarian with a large Monocle showing the ASL hand sign for FIND.

The thumb and the index finger come together as the closed F hand pulls upwards, like picking up what you were looking for.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #find #librarian #myasldictionary

NIAGARA FALLS

This Tuesday, I received a generous invitation from the Village of Riverside Glen Recreational Staff for a trip to Niagara Falls, the City famous for its tourist attractions and the gorgeous view of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Canada’s cascading Horseshoe Falls.

In celebration of the great Niagara Visit in Surprising Summertime-like weather, My ASL Dictionary’s 2013 cartoon of an excited Tourist in a Maid of the Mist Blue Rain Poncho illustrates the ASL hand sign for NIAGARA FALLS.

The 5 hands move downward in front of the chest twice, the fingers mimicking the falling waves of water.
Similar movement to the hand sign for RAIN.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #niagarafalls #thevillageofriversideglen #myasldictionary

A FULL GLASS

A Glass half full means optimistic, while a glass half empty means pessimistic. The visual for optimism is linked to holding, or containing, as much as possible.

My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of Dick Van Dyke’s Bert the Chimney Sweep, dressed for the Park in a bright Sunhat and a rainbow-striped Jacket, illustrates the ASL hand sign for FULL.

The Extended B hand moves across the top of the S hand, a gesture for a full cup.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #full #dickvandyke #myasldictionary

 

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Containing Nothing or Having No Contents can range from a Theatre Devoid of Patrons to a Finished Tub of Ice Cream.

My ASL Dictionary has a cartoon of an Ice Cream Vendor with an apologetic smile, showing the ASL hand sign for EMPTY.

The bent Middle finger of the 5 hand moves down along the back of the opposite hand from the wrist and off the fingertips.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #empty #myasldictionary