Conditional statements follow the if-then format (if this happens then this happens because of it.) You sign “IF” (letter “i” right under the eye on the side of your dominant hand that taps twice) and the condition, then you sign “FINISH/THEN” (5s for both hands facing toward you then they swish outward and face away) and the outcome of that condition. People usually just sign IF and not THEN. Sometimes you’ll see more fluent signers just raising their eyebrows to signal IF instead of signing it.
Here’s an example: IF RAIN (THEN) FOOTBALL PRACTICE CANCEL.
THEN is optional which is why I put it in parenthesis (either include it or don’t include it depending on what your teacher wants.)
Thanks! That’s very helpful!
I like thinking of it like cause and effect! If [cause] happens, then [effect] happens.
4 Responses
Conditional statements follow the if-then format (if this happens then this happens because of it.) You sign “IF” (letter “i” right under the eye on the side of your dominant hand that taps twice) and the condition, then you sign “FINISH/THEN” (5s for both hands facing toward you then they swish outward and face away) and the outcome of that condition. People usually just sign IF and not THEN. Sometimes you’ll see more fluent signers just raising their eyebrows to signal IF instead of signing it.
Here’s an example: IF RAIN (THEN) FOOTBALL PRACTICE CANCEL.
THEN is optional which is why I put it in parenthesis (either include it or don’t include it depending on what your teacher wants.)
Thanks! That’s very helpful!
I like thinking of it like cause and effect! If [cause] happens, then [effect] happens.
Thank you!