Time & sequence
The timeline in space, and using FINISH to mark completed action.
Focus
A timeline runs through your body
The space behind the shoulder is the past; ahead is the future; the present is right at the body. Time signs live along this line.
FINISH is grammar, not just a word
Placed by a verb, FINISH marks completed action — 'FINISH EAT' = 'have eaten'. It also joins clauses: 'EAT FINISH, LEAVE' = 'after eating, I left'.
Signs in this lesson
Open any sign for its full history, sources and minimal pairs.
Rest your dominant elbow on the back of your other hand and sweep the upright arm down across your body.
Rest your dominant wrist on the back of your other flat hand and let it drape down — the sun set below the horizon.
Rest your dominant forearm on the fingertips of your other flat hand and raise it, palm up — the sun coming up.
Tap the back of your wrist with a bent index finger.
Hold two bent hands (or 'Y' hands) in front of you, palms up, and drop them a short way.
Rest the thumb of an 'L' hand on your other palm and pivot the index finger forward, like a clock hand.
Touch the thumb of an 'A' hand to your cheek and arc it forward.
Touch the thumb of an 'A' hand to your chin or cheek and arc it back toward your ear.
Hold both '5' hands up, palms toward you, and flip them quickly to face out.
Watch out for
Pairs in this lesson that learners mix up — the drill will test exactly these.
- MORNING / NIGHT — Same horizon hand. MORNING rises above it, palm up; NIGHT droops below it, palm down.
- TOMORROW / YESTERDAY — Identical handshape and start point. TOMORROW arcs forward, YESTERDAY arcs back: direction is the whole meaning.