CAL - Time in ASL (Lesson)

Telling Time in ASL

This describes how to tell time (o'clock) in ASL in the right form as well as telling duration.

General Rules

When signing time, word order is important. You must sign TIME first (TIME + X).  For example, TIME 9.

One exception to this is that if the the context of the conversation is focused on the time for something, TIME is not always signed. But it is NEVER signed at the end; for example, 9 TIME.

When signing the hour portion, the palm orientation faces out for the numbers from 1 to 9.  Note:  This is an exception to the rule about numbers 1 - 5 being signed palm in. 

When signing the minute portion, the palm orientation again faces out for the numbers. For numbers between 1 and 9 (:01, :02, :03...), use 0 + number. For example: 4:04, 5:09, 12:15. For the minutes between ten and 59, use regular cardinal numbers.

There is a slight pause between the hour and the minutes, and a small movement to the outside when you sign the minutes.

4:04, 5:09, 12:15 Video

PM or AM can be identified by fingerspelling AM or PM or by signing MORNING  for AM and AFTERNOON OR NIGHT for PM. 

O'clock (On the hour)

When signing the exact time on the hour you have two signing options.  You can use the general format discussed above TIME + Number, or you can use numerical incorporation to incorporate the hour up to 9 o'clock when you are indicating the exact time. 

1:00, 2:00, 3:00, etc. 

Time Numerical Incorporation Video

Approximate Time

When you are signing about approximate times (about 1 or 2 ish) you sign numbers 1 - 9 palm orientation out and include a small shake.

For numbers 10 - 12, you can also add the sign APPROXIMATE after the number.  

Approximate Time Video

Span of Time

To indicate a duration of time such as 1 - 5, you sign the numbers palm orientation out with a small movement to the outside. 

Attention:  To advance in the learning object, please click on the check mark to the bottom right of the learning object after you select your answer.  Please ask your teacher if you have any questions about moving through the learning object.

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Video used by permission from Becky Ferrell.