Q: ASL -TEEN numerals

[Christopher Miller]

I am working on phonological phenomena involving handshapes and am 
wondering if anyone can help me with some information on a variant form of 
the numbers SIXTEEN, SEVENTEEN, EIGHTEEN and NINETEEN in ASL.

(What I take to be) the standard way of signing these numbers in ASL, the 
form that I was taught in ASL class, is the following:

An /A/ handshape, thumb upward (palm contralateral), changing quickly to 
the handshape for SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT and NINE, respectively, palm forward.

This is different from the LSQ (Quebec SL) signs for these numbers. While 
the LSQ number system is basically the same as that in ASL, compound 
numbers (i.e. those beyond TEN) are often slightly different from those in 
ASL, due to different phonological changes in the two languages. In LSQ, 
the -TEEN numbers are made with a repeated (oscillating) movement and the 
/A/ handshape assimilates to the handshape for SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT and NINE,
  respectively. In other words, more or less, these signs are made with an 
outward twisting movement of the handshapes for SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT and NINE.

Apparently, ASL also has a second way of signing the -TEEN numerals. I 
have never seen this personally, but I have seen it mentioned in a couple 
of publications, and even in an LSQ dictionary although LSQ signers I have 
talked to said these are definitely ASL and not LSQ numbers.

These variants are made with a rubbing motion involving the thumb and the 
whichever finger is bent in the SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT and NINE handshapes 
(that is, the pinky, ring, middle and index, respectively). Only one (base)
  handshape, as in LSQ, and no change of orientation like we find in the 
standard ASL and LSQ -TEEN signs.

This is as much as I know (or think I know). I am hoping that someone who 
actually sees and/or uses these forms on a (more or less) regular basis 
can give me some information about the following questions:

1.      Where are these variants used, i.e. what regions of the US (or 
Canada?) And are these the *only* way to sign these numerals in a 
particular region or are the more "standard" forms also used? Do you feel 
that particular groups of people prefer these rubbing variants? (For 
example older/younger signers, more/less educated, different ethnic 
origins etc.)

2.      How *exactly* are these variants signed?
        a.      Does the thumb do the rubbing, with the finger staying still?
or      b.      Does the finger do the rubbing, with the thumb staying still?
or      c.      Do they *both* rub together, neither staying still?
or      d.      Does it differ depending on which finger is involved?
                (I find it harder to make my pinky rub against my thumb, for example.)

3.      Which way does the repeated rubbing move?
        a.      Toward the base of the finger/thumb, repeated.
        b.      Toward the tip of the finger/thumb, repeated.
        c.      Back and forth, repeated, neither direction more emphasised.

Thanks to anyone who can help me — I will post a summary for everyone's 
information.

Chris Miller

¶ Christopher Miller
¶ Adjunct professor
¶ Department of linguistics and language teaching
¶ Université du Québec à Montréal
¶ Box 8888, “Centre-Ville” Postal Station
¶ Montreal QC H3C 3P8
¶ Canada
¶
¶ +1 514 987-3000 x 2361 (voice)
¶ miller.christopher at uqam.ca
¶ christophermiller at mac.com