Which of the below aspects of sign distinguishes how you sign numbers 1-5 from how you sign numbers 6-10?

height at which you hold your hand up when signing

hand movement

which hand is used

hand orientation

1 answer

The aspect that distinguishes how you sign numbers 1-5 from how you sign numbers 6-10 is typically hand orientation.

For numbers 1-5 in American Sign Language (ASL), the signs are made with the fingers extended upwards, with the palm generally facing outward. In contrast, for numbers 6-10, the hand is often in a similar shape but may be oriented differently, such as with the palm facing inward or downward for numbers 6-9, and the number 10 is signed with a closed fist or a specific handshape.

The height at which you hold your hand, hand movement, and which hand is used can vary less consistently and are not the primary distinguishing features for these number ranges.