Signs beginning with 'I'

• I
  Put either 1Pt h, 1st finger pointing backward-upward & fingers inward, with tip of 1st finger on centre of chest.

  
• ICE-CREAM
  Hold either hand as FOOD but at one hand's breadth in front of chin; then by wrist action turn hand till digits pointing backward-upward & fingers inward.

  
• ICE
  With 1st hand sign WATER, and hold 2nd FIST hand, back upward & fingers forward-inward, one hand's breadth above 1st hand; then jerk 2nd hand downwards till its fingers touch back of 1st hand.

  
• ICING (Sugar cake)
  sign SUGAR; then change 1st hand (POWDER hand) to FOOD and change 2nd hand (SWEET hand) to CLAWED hand, back upward & fingers inward, with tips of its digits on top of 1st hand.

  
• IDEA
  Put either thumb 1st finger hand, thumb and 1st finger pointing inward & fingers upward, with tips of thumb and 1st finger on own side of forehead; then keeping tip of thumb on forehead move 1st finger upwards till pointing upward.
• IDEAL
  Hold either hand as for IDEA; then change hand to thumb hand, back forward & fingers inward, with mid knuckle of 1st finger on own side of forehead.
• IDLE
  With each hand simultaneously sign LAZY

  
• IF
  Hold either 1st finger hand, palm forward and 1st finger pointing inward-upward, with tip of 1st finger in front of own shoulder; then by wrist action tilt 1st finger outwards one hand's breadth, and return to original position.
• IGLOO
  Hold 1st hand as BUILDING, and at same time with 2nd hand sign SNOW.

  
• IGNORANT
  Hold 1st hand as KNOW, and at same time hold 2nd hand as LITTLE.
• ILL
  Put either hand held as BAD but palm forward & fingers inward, with tip of thumb on centre of chest; then slide hand upwards one hand's breadth.

  
• ILLUMINATE
  Hold 1st COMPRESSED hand, digits pointing forward-inward & fingers upward, in front of own shoulder, and put 2nd 1Pt h, 1st finger pointing forward-inward & fingers upward, with tip of its 1st finger on lower knuckle of 1st thumb; then change 1st hand to SPREAD hand, palm forward & fingers pointing upward.

  
• IMAGE
  Hold hands as LIKE²; then keeping one hand stationary change other hand to CLOSED hand, back downward & fingers forward-inward (as THING).

  
• IMAGINE
  Put either V-hand, back forward and ¹ & 2nd fingers pointing inward, with tip of 1st finger on own side of forehead and tip of 2nd finger on outer corner of own eye; then move hand forward-upwards one hand's length.

  
• IMITATE
  Hold hands as for MAKE; then move hands inward-downwards at same time changing hands to FLAT hands, backs upward & digits pointing forward, with palm of one hand on back of other hand (as SAME).

  
• IMMEDIATE
  Hold 1st as TIME, and hold 2nd FIST hand, back forward-outward & fingers forward-inward, one hand's length above 1st wrist; then jerk 2nd downwards till it touches 1st wrist.

  
• IMMENSE
  sign GRAND; then keeping hands together with 1st hand trace vertical upwards-outwards semicircle one hand's length diameter.
• IMPATIENT
  sign IM - PATIENT1.

  
• IMPLEMENT
  sign INSTRUMENT; then move 2nd hand forwards one hand's length.

  
• IMPORTANT
  Hold 1st 1st finger hand, back outward and 1st finger pointing upward, and put 2nd C-hand, palm inward & fingers forward, with tips of its digits grasping 1st wrist; then move both hands together upwards one hand's breadth.

  
• IMPROVE
  Hold 1st hand as GOOD, and hold 2nd FIST hand, back upward & fingers forward-inward, one hand's breadth below 1st hand; then jerk 2nd hand upwards till its back touches side of 1st palm.

  
• IMPULSE
  Hold both FIST hands, backs upward & fingers forward, with lower knuckles of thumbs touching; then move hands together forwards one hand's length at same time changing hands to FLAT hands, palms forward & digits pointing upward.
• IN
  Hold 1st hand as POSITION, and hold 2nd 1Pt h, 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tip of its 1st finger one finger breadth above 1st hand; then change 1st hand to O-hand, and at same time move 2nd hand downwards into the O of 1st hand till upper knuckle of its 2nd finger touches mid knuckle of 1st thumb.

  
• INCH
  Hold 1st hand as LENGTH, and put 2nd 1st finger hand, back forward and 1st finger pointing inward, with ball of its 1st finger on tip of 2nd finger of 1st hand.
• INCLUDE
  Hold either CUPPED hand, back outward & fingers forward, in line with own side; then move hand inwards one hand's length.

  
• INCOME
  With either hand sign MONEY but at two hand lengths in front of own side; then move hand backwards one hand's length at same time continuing movement of thumb and 1st finger.

  
• INCREASE
  Hold 1st hand as SURFACE, and hold 2nd FLAT hand, back upward & digits pointing forward-inward, a half hand's breadth above 1st hand; then move 2nd hand upwards one hand's length.

  
• INDEED
  Hold 1st FLAT hand but with thumb closed on palm, back outward & digits pointing forward-downward, and put 2nd 1st finger hand, back upward and 1st finger pointing forward-downward, with ball of its 1st finger on lower knuckle of 1st finger of 1st hand; then slide 2nd forward-downwards till ball of its 1st finger touches tip of 1st finger of 1st hand.
• INDEPENDENT
  sign UN - DEPEND - ENT then keeping 1st hand stationary change 2nd hand (1st finger hand) to thumb 1st finger hand but with its 2nd finger also extended straight and pressed on ball of thumb, thumb and 1 & 2nd fingers pointing forward & fingers upward; then by finger-a jerk 1 & 2 fingers upwards one finger breadth from tip of thumb).

  
• INDEX
  Hold 1st FLAT hand, back outward & digits pointing forward-upward, and put 2nd SPREAD hand, back forward & fingers pointing inward, with ball of its 2nd finger on tip of 4th finger of 1st hand; then move 2nd hand outwards one hand's breadth.

  
• INDIAN (American)
  Hold 1st hand as PERSON, and at same time put 2nd 1st finger hand, back outward and 1st finger pointing upward with root of its palm on own side of forehead.

  
• INDUCE
  Hold 1st hand as POSITION, and at same time with 2nd hand sign PULL but using that hand only; then change 2nd hand to 1Pt h, 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, and sign IN

  
• INDUSTRY
  Hold both FIST hands, backs forward & fingers inward, with one hand a hand's breadth in front of other hand; then trace vertical circles one hand's length diameter, front hand moving backwards-downwards and rear hand moving forwards-upwards: return to original position and repeat action.
• INFANT
  Hold 1st hand as CHILD, and at same time hold 2nd hand as LITTLE.

  
• INFECT
  Hold 1st hand as for ILL, and at same time with 2nd hand sign MATTER; then slide 1st hand downwards one hand's breadth.

  
• INFECTION
  sign INFECT - ION

  
• INFECTIOUS
  sign INFECT - OUS

  
• INFLAME
  Hold 1st hand as for MAKE but using that hand only, and at same time with 2nd hand sign BURN

  
• INFLUENCE
  Hold 1st hand as PERSON but at mid-height in front of centre of body, and put 2nd FIST hand, back outward & fingers forward, with mid knuckle of its 4th finger on tip of 1st finger of 1st hand; then move both hands together forwards one hand's length.

  
• INFLUENZA
  Put 1st CUPPED hand, back forward & fingers inward, with palm on centre of forehead, and at same time with 2nd hand sign COLD (illness).

  
• INFORM
  Hold either hand as KNOW; then trace vertical upwards-forwards semicircle one hand's length diameter at same time by wrist action changing hand to FLAT hand, palm upward & digits pointing forward-inward, at forehead-level.

  
• INGREDIENT
  Hold 1st hand as THING but with 1st finger extended straight & pointing forward-inward, and put 2nd COMPRESSED hand, digits pointing inward & fingers forward, with tips of its digits grasping tip of 1st finger of 1st hand; then keeping tips of digits of 2nd hand on tip of 1st finger of 1st hand by wrist action turn 2nd hand till digits pointing forward-downward & fingers forward-inward, at same time closing 1st finger of 1st hand on 1st palm.

  
• INHERIT
  Hold 1st hand as PARENT, and put 2nd CLOSED hand, palm upward & fingers inward, with mid knuckle of its 4th finger on mid knuckle of 4th finger of 1st hand; then move 2nd hand downwards one hand's breadth.

  
• INITIAL
  Hold 1st lf hand, back forward & lf pointing upward, in front of own shoulder, and put 2nd C-hand, back forward-outward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its digits grasping 1st wrist; then keeping hands together by wrist action turn 1st hand palm forward, lf still pointing upward and at same time move hands downwards a half hand's breadth.

  
• INJECT
  Hold either 5Pt h but with 3 & 4th fingers closed on palm, digits pointing inward & fingers forward; then bend 1 & 2nd fingers till their tips touch ball of thumb, and return to original position.

  
• INK
  Hold 1st as for PENCIL, and at same time with 2nd hand sign LIQUID.

  
• INN
  sign PUBLIC - HOUSE.

  
• INQUIRE
  sign ASK; then keeping one hand stationary change other hand to CUPPED hand, back outward & fingers forward-upward.

  
• INQUISITIVE
  sign INQUIRE - IVE

  
• INSECT
  Hold either CLAWED hand, back upward and fingers forward, in line with own side; at same time keeping digits bent and moving them, simultaneously and independently of one another.

  
• INSIDE
  Hold 1st hand as POSITION, and put 2nd 1Pt h, 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tip of its 1st finger between lower knuckles of thumb and 1st finger of 1st hand; then change 1st hand to O-hand and at same time with tip of 1st finger of 2nd hand trace horizontal forwards-outwards circle inside O of 1st hand.

  
• INSPECT
  sign EXAMINE.

  
• INSTANT
  Hold 1st hand as TIME, and hold 2nd hand as LITTLE but with tip of its thumb one hand's breadth above tip of 2nd finger of 1st hand; then move 2nd hand downwards till nail of its thumb touches nail of 2nd finger of 1st hand.

  
• INSTEAD
  Hold both V-hands, backs forward and 1 & 2nd fingers pointing inward, with 1 & 2nd fingers of one hand one hand's breadth in front of 1 & 2nd fingers of other hand; then with rear hand trace vertical upwards-forwards semicircle one hand's length diameter till its 1 & 2nd fingers are one hand's breadth in front of ¹ & 2nd fingers of other hand.
• INSTRUCT
  With 1st hand sign TEACH, at same time putting 2nd C-hand, back forward-outward & fingers forward-inward, with tips of its digits grasping 1st wrist.

  
• INSTRUMENT
  Hold 1st hand as TOOL, and at same time with 2nd hand sign USE

  
• INSULATE
  With 1st hand sign HOLD and at same time with 2nd hand sign WARM

  
• INSULATOR
  sign INSULATE - ER

  
• INSULT
  Hold 1st hand as SAY, and at same time with 2nd hand sign RUDE

  
• INSURE
  Hold hands as for MAKE; then change hands to CLAWED hands, backs outward & fingers forward, with fingers of both hands interlaced.

  
• INTELLIGENCE
  sign INTELLIGENT - NCE

  
• INTELLIGENT
  Hold 1st hand as MIND, and at same time hold 2nd hand as KNOWLEDGE

  
• INTEND
  Hold 1st hand as for WANT, and at same time with 2nd hand sign PLAN

  
• INTER (affix)
  Hold 1st hand as POSITION, and put 2nd 1Pt h but with its 2nd finger also extended straight, back outward and ¹ & 2nd fingers pointing inward, with side of tip of its 2nd finger 1) on lower knuckle of 1st thumb and 2) on mid knuckle of 1st finger of 1st hand.

  
• INTEREST
  Hold either hand as THINK; then trace vertical upwards-forwards circle a half hand's breadth diameter on own side of forehead, and repeat action.

  
• INTERFERE
  Hold 1st 1st finger hand, back outward and 1st finger pointing forward, and put 2nd CLAWED hand, palm upward & fingers forward-inward, on top of 1st wrist; then keeping hands in contact by wrist action jerk 1st hand upwards till 1st finger pointing forward-upward: return to original position and repeat action.

  
• INTERNATIONAL
  sign INTER - NATION - AL

  
• INTERPRET
  Hold 1st SPREAD hand, palm upward & fingers pointing forward-inward, and at same time hold 2nd SPREAD hand, back upward & fingers pointing forward-inward in line with own sides; then by wrist action simultaneously turn 1st hand till back upward & 2nd hand till palm upward, fingers still pointing forward-inward.

  
• INTERPRETER
  sign INTERPRET - ER.

  
• INTERRUPT
  Hold either FIST hand, back forward & fingers inward, in front of own shoulder; then move hand inwards one hand's length.

  
• INTERVAL
  Hold 1st hand as TIME, and put 2nd FLAT hand, back upward & digits pointing forward-inward, with its fingers on 1st wrist; then move 2nd hand upwards one hand's breadth.

  
• INTO
  Hold 1st hand as POSITION, and hold 2nd 1Pt h, 1st finger pointing upward & fingers forward, one hand's length outward from 1st hand; then change 1st hand to O-hand and at same time with 2nd hand trace vertical upwards-inwards semicircle till tip of its 1st finger moves into the O of 1st hand.

  
• INTRODUCE
  Hold 1st 1st finger hand, back outward and 1st finger pointing upward, in line with own side, and put 2nd C-hand, palm inward & fingers forward, with tips of its digits grasping 1st wrist; then keeping hands together move 1st hand forward-inwards till in front of centre of body.

  
• INVENT
  Hold 1st hand as THINK, and at same time with 2nd hand sign MAKE but using that hand only.

  
• INVITE
  Hold hands as PLEASE but at two hand lengths in front of body; then move hands together in vertical upwards-backwards semicircle till they touch centre of body.

  
• INWARD
  Hold 1st hand as POSITION, and hold 2nd 1Pt h, 1st finger pointing downward & fingers forward-inward, with tip of its 1st finger one hand's length above 1st hand; then jerk 2nd hand downwards one hand's breadth.

  
• ION
  Hold hands as ATOM; then keeping one hand stationary change other hand to 1st finger hand, back upward and 1st finger pointing forward, and sign ELECTRIC

  
• IRELAND
  sign HARP; then sign COUNTRY.

  
• IRIS
  Hold 1st hand as EYE, and at same time hold 2nd hand as COLOUR.

  
• IRON¹ (for pressing)
  Hold 1st hand as SURFACE, and put 2nd hand held as THING but with its lower knuckles on inner edge of 1st palm; then slide 2nd hand forward-inwards one hand's breadth, and return to original position.

  
• IRON² (metal)
  Hold 1st hand as METAL, and hold 2nd U-hand, digits pointing inward & fingers forward, with tips of its digits one hand's breadth outward from 1st hand; then jerk 2nd hand inwards till tip of its 2nd finger touches lower knuckle of 1st finger of 1st hand.
• IRONING-BOARD
  Hold 1st hand as TABLE, and hold 2nd hand as THING but with its lower knuckles on inner edge of 1st hand; then slide 2nd hand forward-inwards one hand's breadth, and return to original position.

  
• IRRITATE
  Hold 1st hand as for MAKE but using that hand only, and at same time with 2nd hand sign ANGRY

  
• IS
  Put either 1st finger hand, back outward and 1st finger pointing forward-downward, with wrist at waist-level on own side; then keeping wrist on body by wrist action turn hand till 1st finger points forward-upward, back still outward.

  
• ISLAM
  Hold 1st hand as MOON but in front of own shoulder, and with 2nd hand sign STAR but between thumb & lf of 1st hand.
• ISLAND
  Hold 1st hand as GROUND, and hold 2nd FLAT hand, back upward & digits pointing inward, with its finger tips one hand's breadth above 1st wrist; then with 2nd hand trace horizontal forwards-outwards circle one hand's length diameter above and around 1st hand at same time vibrating 2nd hand backwards & forwards, digits still pointing inward.

  
• IT
  Hold either 1st finger hand, palm forward and 1st finger pointing outward, one hand's length outward from own shoulder.

  
• ITCH
  Put either CLAWED hand, back forward & fingers inward, on other breast; then slide hand outwards till on own breast; return to original position and repeat action.

  
• ITS
  Hold either CLOSED hand, palm outward & fingers upward, one hand's length outward from own shoulder.
• ITSELF
  Hold either hand as IT; then hold hand as SELF.
• IVORY
  Hold 1st hand as SUBSTANCE, and at same time hold 2nd hand as TOOTH.