3@SideSternumhigh-PalmUp CirclesHoriz

American Sign Language

Alternative forms

• (in various locations) This sign can be made in various locations, depending on the locations of the referents. For example, the sign can be made far to the right to indicate that the three people are far to the right of the signer.
• (in circles of various sizes) This sign can be made with circles of various sizes to indicate the distance between the three people. Small circles indicate that the people are near each other, while large circles indicate that they are far from each other.

Etymology

The ASL "3" handshape represents the three referents. Compare 2@SideSternumhigh-PalmUp CirclesHoriz (“the two of us”), 4@SideSternumhigh-PalmUp CirclesHoriz (“the four of them/you”), etc.

Production

This one-handed ASL sign is produced as follows:

• Posture the dominant hand in the “3” shape on the same side of the signer as the referents, dominant palm facing up.
• Move the hand in repeated horizontal circles.

  The size of the circles indicates the distance the referents are from each other.

• Hold the hand still briefly.

Pronoun

3@SideSternumhigh-PalmUp CirclesHoriz (THE-THREE-OF, THE-THREE-OF-THEM)

1. the three of them; the three of you; they three; you three; you, he, and she; you, him, and her; you and the two of them

Related terms

• 1@Side-PalmDown (“you, him, her, it”)
• 𝠎𝪁𝧿𝤱 (“the two of us”)
• 2@SideSternumhigh-PalmUp CirclesHoriz (“the two of them/you”)
• 4@SideSternumhigh-PalmUp CirclesHoriz (“the four of them/you”)
• 5@SideSternumhigh-PalmUp CirclesHoriz (“the five of them/you”)