How do you sign the word 'then' in American Sign Language?

Answer 1

For the words, "OR" or "THEN":

Your non-dominant hand makes an L handhsape (or pointing handshape, with the thumb extended up) and you point it horizontally. Your dominant hand has the index finger out (in a modified "one" handshape... the thumb rests against the knuckes) and you move from your thumb to your index finger(on the non.dom.), and then back to thumb. This may be repeated. This sign means both "Then" and "Or"... In this the connotation means one thing and/"OR" THEN" another. Example: "I saw the movie and "THEN" I went home. [Note: Depending on context, the finger may only make one movement from the thumb to the index finger. This is a conversational abbreviated version of the sign, and not reccomended for academic signing.]

[Additional Note: In some regions, the above sign may be used with the connotation below... this once relatively rare usage is becoming more popular in the recent decade.]


As a filler usage, however, conversationally speaking that is, many signers use the "Finish" or "Done" sign, such as in the phrase "And then that was the end of the story." A possible ASL interpretation: "And [finish sign] that was story end. The finish or done use both hands; see here for a video: [related links] {Note: Version 2, of that video is the official ASL sign for "END", which is culturally used to mean "finished" in ASL story-telling or stage performances.}

Answer 2

To sign "then" in American Sign Language, you can use the sign by extending your non-dominant hand with palm facing up, then bringing your dominant hand down onto the palm in a tapping motion. This sign represents the idea of "then" or "after."