AUXILIARY VERBS
To Be, to Exist.—Hold the forefinger of the right "G" hand pointing upward, against the mouth; move the whole hand, finger still held upright, forward straight out from the mouth; then bring the "A" hands together, the end of the right thumb resting on the nail of the left thumb, and move both hands this way forward. (Note: This is the present and acceptable way to make this sign though formerly there were other signs. These are not here given, as it seems unnecessary.) The usual way is to make simply the first part of the sign with the forefinger, and then finish with "now" or "past" to indicate tense, and "many" to indicate plural. I,1.
To Be, infinitive and imperative.—Hold the right "G" hand straight out in front from the side, the "G" up; crook the forefinger and move the hand toward the left side horizontally in front of the body. I, 2.
To Be, auxiliary of the passive voice.—Press the forefinger of the right "G" hand, pointing upward, against the mouth; then bring both open hands, palm toward palm, pointing upward, to the side of the face and throw each back over the corresponding shoulders, letting the thumbs strike against and come to rest on the shoulders.
Can, expressing possibility, power, etc.—Hold the "S" hands out in front, elbows against sides, and let the hands drop a little way with a jerk. I, 3.
Can't.—Holding the left "G" hand out in front, strike the end of it with the forefinger of the right "G" hand, as if cutting it off, and letting the right hand continue down. I, 4.
May, Maybe, Perhaps, indicating probability.—Hold out both open hands in front straight from the sides, palms up; balance the hands up and down alternately several times like the balances of a pair of scales. I, 5.
May, indicating permission.—Hold both open hands out in front straight from the sides, pointing downward; with a forward motion throw the hands out till they point forward. I,6.
