Tack (pin, pushpin, thumbtack)
Handshape: F Hand
Memory Aide: putting a pushpin into a bulletin board
Example of sentence usage: He tacked the photo on the wall.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: fasten
Tear (revoke, rip, strip, torn)
Handshape: F Hands
Memory Aide: tearing/ripping something in half
Example of sentence usage: He tore the page and threw it in the trash.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: pull apart, rip up, shred, tear up
Tear Apart (break)
Handshape: S Hands
Memory Aide: hands tearing apart something in half
Example of sentence usage: He tore apart the packaging.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: break apart, dismantle, go to pieces
Telephone (call, phone)
Handshape: Y Hand
Memory Aide: holding a telephone to your ear
Example of sentence usage: The Dr. will telephone you later today
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: phone call, ring/give a ring
Telescope
Handshape: C Hands
Memory Aide: using a telescope
Example of sentence usage: She saw the planets through the telescope.
Tennis
Handshape: Modified X Hand
Memory Aide: playing tennis
Example of sentence usage: Love means nothing in tennis terminology.
Theme (issue, quotation, quote, so-called, subject, title, topic)
Handshape: V Hands
Memory Aide: highlighting a theme by drawing in the air quotation marks
Example of sentence usage: They discussed the theme of the novel in class.
Throw (cast, dump, pitch, throw away, toss)
Handshape: S Hand changes to the 5 Hand
Memory Aide: casting away an object
Example of sentence usage: Please throw away the garbage.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: discard, fling, hurl, launch
Throw (pitch)
Handshape: Curved 3 Hand
Memory Aide: action of throwing a baseball
Example of sentence usage: He threw the ball and struck out the batter.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: hurl
Thumbtack (pin, pushpin, tack)
Handshape: F Hand
Memory Aide: pushing a thumbtack into a bulletin board
Example of sentence usage: He adhered the photo to the wall with a thumbtack.
Tickle
Handshape: Curved 5 Hands
Memory Aide: tickling someone
Example of sentence usage: She tickled him to make him laugh.
Tie (knot)
Handshape: Modified X Hands
Memory Aide: tying a knot
Example of sentence usage: Tie your shoelaces so you do not trip.
Time Out
Handshape: Open Hands
Memory Aide: a sport’s gesture of time out
Example of sentence usage: The coach called for a time out to talk to his players.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: break time, T- O
Title (issue, quotation, quote, so-called, subject, theme, topic)
Handshape: V Hands
Memory Aide: highlighting a title by drawing in the air quotation marks
Example of sentence usage: The title of the book is “Signing Basics”.
Toothbrush
Handshape: Index Finger Hand
Memory Aide: brushing your teeth
Example of sentence usage: The dentist gave her a new toothbrush.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: brush teeth
Toothpaste
Handshape: 10 Hand (dominant) and Index Finger Hand (nondominant)
Memory Aide: applying toothpaste on a toothbrush
Example of sentence usage: Do not squeeze the toothpaste tube like that!
Toothpick
Handshape: Modified X Hand
Memory Aide: using a toothpick
Example of sentence usage: He used the toothpick to get the spinach out of his teeth!
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: denture pick/pick
Topic (issue, quotation, quote, so-called, subject, theme, title)
Handshape: V Hands
Memory Aide: highlighting a topic by drawing in the air quotation marks
Example of sentence usage: The topic is what the story is about.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: matter
Torn (revoke, rip, strip, tear)
Handshape: F Hands
Memory Aide: an object being torn in half
Example of sentence usage: She let the toddler play with the book, and its pages were torn.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: pull apart, rip up, shred, tear up
Toss (cast, dump, pitch, throw, throw away)
Handshape: S Hand changes to the 5 Hand
Memory Aide: casting away an object
Example of sentence usage: She tossed some paper into the wastebasket.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: discard, fling, hurl, launch
Touchdown
Handshape: B Hands
Memory Aide: sport’s gesture for a touchdown
Example of sentence usage: After the touchdown, the fans stormed the field.
Towel
Handshape: S Hands
Memory Aide: using a towel to dry off your back
Example of sentence usage: He grabbed the towel when he got out of the shower.
Tray
Handshape: Modified X Hands
Memory Aide: carrying a tray
Example of sentence usage: The waiter carried a tray of drinks through the restaurant.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: serving tray/platter
Tricycle
Handshape: T Hands
Memory Aide: pedaling action of a tricycle
Example of sentence usage: She rode her tricycle to the park.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: trike, three-wheeled cycle
Twist (wring)
Handshape: C Hands
Memory Aide: wringing a wet towel
Example of sentence usage: She twisted her wet bathing suit and hung it to dry.
Type
Handshape: Curved 5 Hands
Memory Aide: fingers typing
Example of sentence usage: She spent most of the night typing her English paper.
