American Sign Language: "review"The sign for review is traditionally done as an initialized (using an "R" hand) backwards version of "LATER" (counterclockwise rotation) on the palm.Lately, many of my colleagues have eschewed initialization (deliberately avoid using; abstain from) and thus do the sign for "review" as a backwards version of LATER using an "L" hand (which is arguably a more simple handshape than an "R" hand).Here is an example of that particular evolution of the "REVIEW" sign:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ80gGVl7ygIf I were teaching at a typical college in a typical city knowing my students would move on to higher level courses taught by other instructors I would (probably) choose to teach them the initialized "R" hand version of REVIEW."When in Rome -- do as the Romans do." So if your colleagues or local Deaf Community are (still) using the "R" hand version of "review" I recommend you do so as well. Of course, this presupposes you actually interact with your colleagues and/or the local Deaf Community. (Hint).

Here is another version of "review" that means to "look back in time."
 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/lKDVaSaQDa4?rel=0&autoplay=1
 
Also see:  PRACTICE
 

Notes:
 

A very common version of the sign for "review" is "initialized" by using the first letter (the "initial") of the English word "review" as the basis of the handshape for the sign. Languages evolve over time and you will likely notice that as time goes on more and more of us in the Deaf community are starting to avoid "over-initialization" of signs. For example (as I'm sure you know) in ASL we do "not" use an "I" handshape to sign the sign for "I/ME."
Another example of not using "initialization" is the sign for "retire." For many years quite a few of us did the sign for "retire" using modified-"R" handshapes (sometimes called an "open-R" since the thumb is sticking out). But now it is common to see the sign for "retire" done with "L" handshapes.
(For an example of the non-initialized sign for "retire" see: https://youtu.be/DPTGQS3FdI0 )
Similarly many people are starting to drop the "R" handshape from the sign for "review" and starting to look upon the "initialized" version as being "Signed English." I personally don't think of the initialized version of "retire" as "Signed English" but I do see it as an unnecessary initialization. I teach ASL at "Sac State" (formerly known as California State University -- Sacramento). Here the concept of "review" comes up fairly often at department and other meetings. I've observed that the majority of my colleagues and various interpreters have started using the non-initialized version of the sign for "review." My prediction is that the non-initialized version will continue to spread (but the initialized version will hang around for many years to come).
Again, thank you for sharing your experience since many Hearing viewers of this video are not (yet) involved in the Deaf world and do not realize the diversity of signing and versions of signs that they will encounter when they immerse themselves in the Deaf Community.
Cordially,
- Dr. Bill
[http://www.lifeprint.com]
 

*  Want to help support ASL University?  It's easy:  DONATE  (Thanks!)

*  Another way to help is to buy something from Dr. Bill's "Bookstore."

*  Want even more ASL resources?  Visit the "ASL Training Center!"  (Subscription Extension of ASLU)  

*  Also check out Dr. Bill's channel: www.youtube.com/billvicars
 

You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ 
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com  ©  Dr. William Vicars