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out / outside

You can either use the normal sign for OUT, or you can use a more specific sign for OUTSIDE:

Version 1:  OUTSIDE
This is generally used as an adjective that means "situated on or pertaining to the outside; exterior; external."   Some people also use this version as a noun to mean "outdoors."  But there is another sign that means "outdoors." See further below.

Version 2:  OUTSIDE / OUTOORS
This version uses a quick repeated movement of "to go out." The repeated movement makes it a noun.  (If you were to do this movement a little larger, with a bit more of a pause between repetitions, it could mean "to go out repeatedly.")  But the way I'm using it here means: "outside."

"GO-OUT"  This sign means "to go out."  It is very similar to the sign LEAVE.
I do "GO-OUT" just a bit higher, and the palm orientation at the end of the sign "GO-OUT" is sort of facing up.

General sign for "OUT."
Used in contexts such as, "I took it out."
(Yah...I know my hair, what little I have, is mussed. Whatever. Pay attention to my hands.)

Variation:  EXIT (to leave the inside).
This sign is sometimes used to mean "to have left."  The use of the base hand indicates having been "in."  Walls.
Think of this sign as meaning, "be inside and then leave."
Note:  The movement is slightly forward and off to the side. The handshape changes from a loose hand to an "and" hand (squished "O").

 

OUT/EXIT: animation
Notice this next variation starts with an "open" hand and closes as it moves out. This open then closed movement is related to influence from the concept of "leave."  For more info, see: "LEAVE"

DISCUSSION:
 
In a message dated 3/5/2008 5:56:55 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, an ASL teacher writes:
 For outside, I use  only one handed sign in a repeated motion to show outside.  He is outside.  A variation of the sign not repeated combined with a flat palm as shown in your picture is an adjective to show something's out or to go out.  My preference is for the verb to go out-- one hand sign, instead of two. 

Dear ASL Teacher,
I agree that the one handed sign for "outside" is a widely used sign and needs to be included on the "out" page under the heading of "outside."
There evidence though that the two-handed variation is also in use to mean "outside."
For example as of this writing there is a two handed version at Michigan State University's website that is specifically labeled as "outdoors."


My current thinking for the "out" page is to:
 
1.  Show the "single movement one handed version" under the heading of "GO-OUT" and label it as a verb and mention that it is related to a very similar sign: "LEAVE." (And then provide a hyperlink to the "LEAVE" page.)

2.  Show a double movement of the one handed version and label it as "OUTSIDE" and indicate that it is widely used as a "noun" form due to the double movement.
 
3.  Show the two handed version and label it as the general sign for "OUT" and explain that your might see people using it to mean "go out," "outside," and/or "outdoors."
 
I think the best way for students to understand these sign is to see them used in various sentences.
For example, when I sign, "Do you want to go out to eat?"  I always use the "single movement / one-handed" version of "GO-OUT."
--Bill
 

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