OWN:
This is a fascinating little sign that doesn't show up in many ASL
dictionaries.
Believe it or not, this sign actually started out as the fingerspelled letters
O-W-N. At one time there was an "English" sign that consisted of tapping the
thumb side of an "O" against the chest twice. Somewhere along the line
it seems those two signs got combined and the handshapes blended.
The current version of this sign starts in a handshape that is similar to
what you'd use to unscrew a light-bulb to that of a flattened "O" hand.
The location changes from a couple inches in front of the chest to actually
touching the chest. In the last frame, the flat of my thumbnail is
against my chest. The fingerprint pad of my thumb is touching the pads
of my index and middle fingers.
Another way to indicate ownership is to use the sign "MYSELF." This version of the sign could be used for the concept of "my own."
MYSELF / MY-OWN
MYSELF / MY-OWN (animated)
HAVE
American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars
