American Sign Language: "temperature" There are several ways to do the sign for "temperature." They are all based on old fashioned mercury thermometers. In the old days thermometers were little glass tubes filled with mercury (a wickedly dangerous liquid metal of which a few drops will absorb directly through your skin and cause liver failure and brain death). Temperature (version 1) The right hand uses a "flat hand" shape. Temperature version 2: Slide the right index finger up and down the side of the left index finger. The right hand is in a palm-down "index finger" handshape Side view: Notice the right finger is between the body and the left finger. Question: What is the difference between "MONTH" and "TEMPERATURE?" Answer: "Month" tends to use a single downward movement. "Temperature" tends to use a shorter, repeated movement. "Month" tends to be dominant hand palm-side faces back. "Temperature" tends to be dominant hand palm-side faces down. "Temperature" is sometimes done with a dominant "flat hand" whereas "month" only uses the index finger. Temperature (version 3) I don't recommend this version because it looks so much like a "double movement" of one of the versions of the sign for "tall." But I include it here so you will recognize it if you see it. The right index finger slides up and down the palm of left hand. Repeat. TEMPERATURE (not recommended) Notes: Years ago when I first posted this sign for "turn the thermostat up" we used to use a lever to adjust a mechanical-type thermostat. Thus we had a sign that mimed the setting of a thermostat. These days "theremostats" are all electronic and controlled either through buttons, clicking on a screen, or automatically. So I reckon these days you would just sign, "you-MIND HOT thumb-UP-UP?" "Turn the thermostat up." Turn the temperature down: You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!) (You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.) Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore." Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT > Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language: "temperature"

There are several ways to do the sign for "temperature." They are all based on old fashioned mercury thermometers. In the old days thermometers were little glass tubes filled with mercury (a wickedly dangerous liquid metal of which a few drops will absorb directly through your skin and cause liver failure and brain death).

Temperature (version 1)
The right hand uses a "flat hand" shape.

Temperature version 2:

Slide the right index finger up and down the side of the left index finger. The right hand is in a palm-down "index finger" handshape

Side view: Notice the right finger is between the body and the left finger.

Question: What is the difference between "MONTH" and "TEMPERATURE?"

Answer: "Month" tends to use a single downward movement. "Temperature" tends to use a shorter, repeated movement. "Month" tends to be dominant hand palm-side faces back. "Temperature" tends to be dominant hand palm-side faces down. "Temperature" is sometimes done with a dominant "flat hand" whereas "month" only uses the index finger.

Temperature (version 3)
I don't recommend this version because it looks so much like a "double movement" of one of the versions of the sign for "tall."

But I include it here so you will recognize it if you see it. The right index finger slides up and down the palm of left hand. Repeat.

TEMPERATURE (not recommended)

Notes:

Years ago when I first posted this sign for "turn the thermostat up" we used to use a lever to adjust a mechanical-type thermostat. Thus we had a sign that mimed the setting of a thermostat. These days "theremostats" are all electronic and controlled either through buttons, clicking on a screen, or automatically. So I reckon these days you would just sign, "you-MIND HOT thumb-UP-UP?"

"Turn the thermostat up."

Turn the temperature down:

You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars

Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!)
(You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.)

Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore."

Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT >

Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language University ™