When spelling two z's in a row (as in "zz") in ASL it is common to use a "V" handshape or a "bent-V" handshape (both versions show up -- do whichever seems to fit the particular word your are spelling based on the letters before and after).
PIZZA (spelled version)
double-ZZ as in Pizza:
"I love pizza!"
Example of fingerspelling the word Mozzeria:
As in the Mozzeria Pizza Deaf restaurant.
Notes:
Richard S. from Avon Park, Fla.
writes:
When I was taught to fingerspell a word with two duplicate letters (ie: PiZZa, LeTTer, aCCept) we fingerspelled the letter Z for example and shifted / bounced
our hand to left (I am left handed) and repeated the letter "Z" again. Is there
an optional way to let the reader know we are signing the two same letters in a
row? I was at Lesson 20, Practice Sheet 20.D Number 19 "Which do you prefer,
thick or thin crust pizza?" It appeared you finger spelled the Letter "Z' once
followed by a modified number 2 sign.
Please help.
Thank you
- Richard
Richard,
Hello :)
What you saw wasn't a modified "2" but rather you saw me doing the double-Z sign
("ZZ").
The double letter "Z" is done with a "V," "forward-2,"
or "bent-V" handshape that traces a
"Z" movement.
"ZZ" is a special case, and while it seems like a clever little pun --
it is the right way to do double "Z's" in ASL.
If you do a double "Z" any other way it would actually be non-standard.
- Dr. Bill
