When you’re lucky enough to get an invitation to join other signers for a meal, take along these signs to get you through the event. The following table gives you the sign for everything you’ll see on the table — except your elbows. Before you dive into a dish of delights, check out this list of some necessary tools.
A great way to remember how to make the Signs for tableware is pretty simple. What you do with the objects relates to the signs. For example, napkin is a wiping motion on the mouth; spoon uses a scooping motion; fork has a stabbing motion; knife has a cutting motion. Here are some example sentences:
English: I need another place setting, please.
Sign: PLEASE — KNIFE FORK SPOON — NEED ME
English: The plate and glass are broken.
Sign: PLATE — GLASS — BROKEN
English: I need three bowls.
Sign: THREE BOWLS — NEED ME
English: The napkin is dirty.
Sign: NAPKIN — DIRTY
