M: The letter "M" has variations. On fingerspelling charts the letter "M"
appears as three fingers (the index, middle, and ring fingers) draped (or bent)
over the thumb. However, in real life typical signing and fingerspelling the
letter "M" can take the form of a "bent hand" (with the thumb either tucked or
alongside). Thus instead of "three" fingers bent or draped over the thumb you
may see "four" fingers bent, draped, or even just slightly curved over the thumb
while doing the letter "M." This "bent-hand" version of "M" is an example of
lexicalization. A couple of good examples of "bent-hand" forms of "M" show up in
certain versions of the signs DOCTOR and MONDAY. The dominant handshape in the
(skilled signer version of the) sign DOCTOR is a "bent hand with the thumb
alongside." The handshape used for the MONDAY sign often takes the form of a
"bent hand with the thumb tucked."
Notes:
For an example of the "bent-hand M" version of the sign for MONDAY, see:
https://youtu.be/HyGIBdTs9yg?t=188
Credit / Source: Abenchuchan, A. (2019) The Daily Moth 6-13-19, retrieved
June 30, 2019, from: https://youtu.be/HyGIBdTs9yg?t=188 [Timecode: 3:08]
Notes: