Transcript: In ASL the index finger is used to indicate the “to be” verb. This is referred to as “deixis.” For instance, if one points to oneself this means “I am.” If one pints to another person while making eye contact it means “you are”. In order to refer to a third person or object the signer points to an empty space to convey the meaning “he is”, “she is”, or “it is.” Typically, the signer will establish who or what “is”. Such as, in the sentence “The man is happy.” If you are referring to two people the index and the second finger are used to indicate “us two,” “you two,” and “those two.” Similarly, using the index, thumb, and second finger can be used to indicate three people and so on. As in, “four people,” or even “five people” in a group. In ASL if one refers to more than five people the index finger is used in a sweeping motion to point to multiple people at the same time. For instance, “you all are,” “they all are,” and “we all are.”