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computer

There are a number of ways to sign "computer."
Some of the most popular ways are below. The pictures show large movements.  Remember that people who sign fluently tend to do so quickly and in a very small signing space.

COMPUTER:

In the variation of "computer" below, the right "C" hand moves in a circle in the air above back of the left "b" hand and or wrist.  The thumb of the right hand brushes against the surface of the back of the left hand.  A while back this sign used to be done more on the left forearm.  Which is how I would sign it if I had to use the word "church" in the same sentence as computer.  (Church just taps up and down on--there is no circular movement. But the signs are easily confused.)

 

COMPUTER / COLUMBUS
This version of the sign "computer" is common in some parts of the country:
The dominant hand "C" taps the forehead twice.
 

 

COMPUTER:
"Tape reel" version. In this version each hand traces a circle in the air at the same time.  The movement is reminiscent of the huge memory tapes used in ancient mainframe computers. The hands move up, right, down, and left in a circle.  The hands do not move forward or backward. Just up, right, down, left.

 

Note:  there are a couple of other ways to sign computer.  For example, you can do the "memory tape" version of Computer using "index" fingers instead of a "C" handshape.

American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars
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Dear Dr. Vicars,

I had another question, being now on Unit 5 and looking at the sign for
"computer". In the first version, the "memory tape" version, do the hands
move away from the body at the top of the circle, or the bottom?

Thanks!
Mikaela Bell

Mikaela,
The hands do not move away from the body.  They stay the same distance from the body but move in circles as if on a reel.
Also, check out this other animation:
Animated example sign for computer >
Bill

In a message dated 4/25/2006 7:04:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Neo writes:
Hey Bill! The other day I signed 'computer' to a deaf friend, the 'computer' used on this website, and she looked at me funny. So I signed it the different way, once again a blank stare. I resorted to the third way, and... nothing (she's only 12 so she might not know many variations of signs). So I just fingerspelled it and she understood. But I asked the next day an interpreter about how to sign it, and here we sign it like that first set of pictures you have on the classifier c page. It's a 'c' going from the elbow to the back of the hand. Have you ever seen it signed this way? Or is this what you mean when you say on one of the variations that it was done on the forearm?
Neo,
COMPUTER is one of those signs that has many, many variations.
Hmmm, going from the elbow to the back of the hand you say?  Using a single movement?  That is a new one on me!  I like it though.  It is as "good" as any other version, and (better than some, heh). 
I personally don't like the version used by many here in Sacramento, (a "C" tapping on the forehead)...because that is also the sign for COLUMBUS!!!
But I'm not the one who decides.  (Consensus is a bugger eh?)
The only variation that counts is the one that successfully gets your message across to the person with whom you are conversing.  Then again, if you are taking an ASL class, the variation that counts is the one being used by your ASL teacher.  :)
-- Bill


Update:  It's now May of 2009.  I've noticed a shift here in the Sacramento region.  Many people are starting to adopt the "C" on the back of the wrist version.  Why? It has to do with the use of video relay interpreting services.  As the local interpreters spend more time terping for a wider audience they are seeing the "nationally dominant" version of the sign for computer more often than they are seeing the "locally" dominant version. And that which you see "more often" is the one you tend to start using. 
-- Bill