ASL: "meet"
The sign "MEET" (as in "two people meet) uses "index finger" handshapes.
The two hands
"meet" in the middle. (Make sure to scroll down and check out the
variations on this sign.)
MEET:
Animated gif of MEET:
The sign "MEET" can incorporate the
subject (me) and object (you) of the sentence without needing to add the
sign ME nor the sign YOU.
The sign "me-MEET-you" or "I meet you" uses the
movement direction of the dominant hand to establish who is meeting whom.
Notice how the dominant hand (the right hand for right handed people) moves
from me toward you. The non-dominant hand (the left hand for right
handed people) is held away from the body. The
right hand "meets" the left hand. (It is the opposite for left
handed people.) You don't need to add the signs "I" or
"YOU." This one sign includes that information already.
me-MEET-you:
(Yes, I used to have some hair up top.
Let's not make an issue of it.)
Note: The tips of the index fingers do not touch
during the sign for meet.
That would be awkward since it would indicate two people meeting and
pressing their faces together.
Fun perhaps, but still...awkward. So don't do
it if you ever want to be invited anywhere in polite society.
Let me show
you another version where it is more clear that the fingertips don't
touch:
On the other hand (heh) if you move the non-dominant hand toward you it
changes the meaning to:
you-MEET-me (you came up to me / you approached me).
you-MEET-me:
Animated gif of you-MEET-me:
The sign MEET is "directional." You can modify the direction in
which you do the sign to indicate who is meeting whom.
For example you can hold the non-dominant hand a bit off to the side and
move the dominant hand toward it to mean "meet that person."
MEET him / her / that person:
If you mean "meet" as in "a meeting" and/or a group of people
meeting, see:
MEETING
Notes:
It's sort of funny how often students mess up and sign “Nice to date
you” instead of "Nice to meet you."
There is a difference between a “D” handshape and a “1" (also called an "index-finger”) handshape.
You should do signs like
"MEET" and “WHERE” using the
"1" (or "index-finger) handshape not a “D” handshape.
Compare MEET vs
DATE (as in
"romantic dating").
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