“Basic Daily Communication”
In Japanese culture, greeting people is one of the most important and necessary ingredients in communication with people. Here is shown the three basic greetings for morning (“Ohayo gozaimasu” meaning “Good morning” in Japanese), afternoon (“Konichiwa” meaning “Good afternoon” in Japanese) and evening (“Konbanwa” meaning “Good evening” in Japanese). Learning these three greetings is a great first step toward becoming a competent communicator in Japanese Sign Language.
(The movies in this page are all in WMV(Windows Media Video) format. If you can’t view the movies, please try to set WMV plug-in on your browser. Or, you can click each link below to download H.264 format movies.)
１．Daily Greetings
1A. おはようございます(Ohayo Gozaimasu-Good Morning)– Standard
The right fist starts at the right ear and is pulled down to the right shoulder. Then both fists are both brought to a little above chest level, palms facing with index fingers extended, and the fingers are bent resembling people bowing.
1B. おはようございます(Ohayo Gozaimasu-Good Morning)– Modified
One starts by holding the right fist (blade edge toward the interlocutor) in front of the tip of the nose and moving it a short distance away from the start position (signing “good”), then the right fist moves to the right ear and is pulled down to the right shoulder (this sign is the same as the standard “Ohayo Gozaimasu”).
1C. こんにちは(Konnichiwa-Good Afternoon)
The right fist is placed in front of the bridge of the nose with the blade edge away from you and the index and middle fingers extended. Then both fists are brought to a little above chest level, palms facing with index fingers extended, and the fingers are bent once resembling people bowing.
1D. こんばんは (Konbanwa-Good Evening)
Both hands start out to the sides at head level, palms facing away. Cross the hands in front of the body toward the opposite hips. Then both fists are both brought to a little above chest level, palms facing with index fingers extended, and the fingers are bent resembling people bowing.
1E. さよなら (Sayonara-Good Bye)
Either open hand waves good bye in the normal fashion.
2. Signs for Introducing Oneself
2A. 初めまして(Hajimemashite-Nice to meet you)
The open right hand is placed palm down in front of the chest on top of the left hand with the palm down as well. The right hand is then raised making a fist with the index finger extended. The left hand then makes the same sign with the palm facing away and the right hand circles out toward the left, stopping when the two hands make contact with the fisted palms facing each other.
2B. 私/私の (Watashi/Watashi no-Me/My)
Point to your own nose or chest with the index finger of either hand.
2C. 名前 (Namae-Name)
Make the “OK” sign with the right hand and place it palm out over the upper left of the chest.
2D. と申します (to moshimasu)
This is a formal expression to add to an introduction instead of just saying “Desu.” To sign this, the extended index finger of the right hand is placed in front of the chin and pointed out toward the interlocutor.
2E. です (Desu)
This sign signifies a full stop in Japanese Sign Language. It can be used when speaking English and using JSL as a period. To make this sign, one just extends the right hand naturally, palm down in front of you, fingers pointed toward the interlocutor.
2F. よろしくおねがいします(Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu-I would appreciate your favor)
This phrase, while lacking an English equivalent, is nonetheless important when meeting Japanese coworkers and superiors. This sign is executed by holding the right fist (blade edge toward the interlocutor) in front of the tip of the nose and moving it a short distance forward from the start position (signing “good”), then making the same movement with the open hand (signing “asking” or “I beg of you”).
3. Everyday Signs
3A. お元気ですか(Ogenki Desu Ka-How are you?)
Here, both hands are made into fists and held in front of the shoulders, blade edges facing toward the interlocutor, and then pushed out twice a short distance forward. Then the right hand is held out, palm up to signify a question.
3B. 元気です (Genki Desu-Fine)
Both hands are made into fists and held in front of the shoulders, blade edges facing toward the interlocutor, and then pushed out twice a short distance forward.
3C. あなたは(Anata wa?-And you/How about you?)
To make this sign, one just extends the right hand naturally, palm up in front of you, fingers pointed toward the interlocutor.
3D. ありがとう (Arigatou-Thank you)
The left hand is held palm-down in front of the chest, fingers pointing to the right with the open right hand’s blade edge touching the back of the left hand, fingers pointing toward the interlocutor. The left hand’s position is held, while the right hand is lifted to chin height.
3E. ごくろうさま (Gokurousama-Good work)
The left fist is held palm-down in front of the chest while the blade edge of the right fist taps back of the left wrist twice then the open right hand (blade edge toward the interlocutor) chops out a short distance from in front of the nose.
3F. ごめんなさい/すみません (Gomennasai/Sumimasen-Sorry/Excuse me)
The index finger and thumb of the right hand pinch together in front of the bridge of the nose then the open right hand (blade edge toward the interlocutor) chops out a short distance from in front of the nose.
4. Dialogues
4A. Meeting Kocho Sensei
These movies will give you a basic idea of what it is like to introduce yourself in Japanese with JSL and for fun, in English with JSL.
A: こんにちは(1C)！
B：こんにちは(1C)！
A：初めまして(2A)。
私(2B)の名前(2C)はトッドと申します(2D)。
宜しくお願いします(2F)。
B: 初めまして(2A)。
私(2B)の名前(2C)は山本です(2E)。
宜しくお願いします(2F)。
A: Good afternoon (1C)!
B: Good afternoon (1C)!
A: Nice to meet you (2A).
My (2B) name (2C) is Todd.
Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu (2F).
B: Nice to meet you too (2A).
My (2B) name (2C) is Yamamoto (2E).
Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu (2F).
4B. Bumping into Someone
This movie will show you how to greet someone if you meet them on your way into school in the morning.
A: おはようございます(1A)！
B: おはようございます(1A)！
A: お元気ですか(3A)。
B: 元気です(3B)。あなたは(3C)。
A: 元気です(3B)。
A: Good Morning (1B)!
B: Good Morning (1A)!
A: How are you (3A)?
B: Fine (3B) thank you (3D), and you (3C)?
A: I’m fine (3B).