One o’clock in the afternoon in ASL | Sign One O’clock in the Afternoon in ASL with the #1 Free Expert Resource

Definition: The time at one o’clock in the afternoon

One o’clock in the afternoon in ASL

Practice Activities:

Practice using the sign for “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” with these activities to help solidify your understanding. Start by practicing the sign in isolation. Repeatedly produce the sign in front of a mirror, focusing on correct handshape and movement. Ensure you are forming the “1” handshape with your dominant hand, tapping your wrist (as though indicating a watch), followed by the appropriate gesture for “afternoon” (a horizontal arm resting near the elbow of your dominant arm). Say the phrase “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” in your head or aloud as you sign to connect the expression to the motion.

Next, integrate the sign into short example sentences. Practice signing, “My meeting starts at one o’clock in the afternoon,” or “We will eat lunch at one o’clock in the afternoon.” After learning the isolated sign, try combining it with additional phrasing to develop fluency. Encourage yourself to sign slower at first, then gradually refine the speed to match natural language flow. Record yourself signing and evaluate your clarity and precision.

For storytelling prompts, pretend you are giving a daily schedule to a friend. Include “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” as the time when you highlight an event, like a doctor’s appointment or a study session. This helps reinforce the use of the sign in real-life narratives. Try telling your story without voice; let your signing carry all the meaning.

In partner activities, take turns with a friend or peer signing various times of the day, including “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL.” Create scenarios where the time is important. For example, role-play planning a picnic or arranging a meeting, ensuring “one o’clock in the afternoon” is mentioned multiple times. Swap roles between describing the time and reacting to it to build comprehension and versatility.

Periodically review and test yourself by signing the time “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” without referencing notes.

Cultural Context:

In American culture, the phrase “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” typically denotes a specific time after midday. It is part of the 12-hour clock system commonly used in the United States, where time is divided into “a.m.” for morning hours and “p.m.” for afternoon and evening hours. This time is often associated with post-lunch activities, work resumption, or schedules like school dismissals, doctor appointments, or daytime meetings.

For users who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, understanding this phrase in American Sign Language (ASL) involves touching the wrist, with the index finger, then appropriately signing the number “1” followed by an indicator for “afternoon.” Since ASL relies heavily on non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and spatial awareness, signing this requires clear depiction of time placement on the body, often near the wrist to symbolize a clock. Being part of daily life, this term plays an essential role in casual and formal scheduling, underlining the cultural significance of time management in the U.S.

Extended Definition:

One o’clock in the afternoon in ASL refers to the specific moment when the clock strikes 1:00 PM. This time falls within the post-meridian (PM) hours, indicating the period after noon and before midnight. It can mark the start or continuation of various activities depending on the individual’s routine or scheduling needs.

In many cultures, 1:00 PM is associated with lunchtime, work meetings, or other mid-afternoon tasks. For many workplaces, this time often marks a shift from the more energetic morning hours toward the productive rhythm of the afternoon. In academic settings, it is a common time for the beginning of post-lunch classes.

Understanding the concept of one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL is also crucial for time-bound communication, planning events, or setting appointments, especially in formal or professional contexts. It may also carry significance in time zones, as activities occurring at this time in one part of the world will align with different times elsewhere.

In sign language, expressing this time accurately involves specifying both the number “1” and the concept of “afternoon,” which conveys the intended meaning clearly. This ensures effective communication, particularly among Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals.

Optimizing time planning based on specific hours like 1:00 PM is essential for maintaining structure and efficiency in daily routines. Whether scheduling a group activity, measuring productivity, or commemorating a specific hour of the day, it holds practical relevance across contexts.

Synonyms: 1 pm, 1:00 pm, one pm, 1 o’clock pm, one in the afternoon

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Long-tail Keywords: What is the sign for One o’clock in the afternoon in ASL?, How do you sign One o’clock in the afternoon in ASL?, ASL sign for One o’clock in the afternoon

Categories: Time – Afternoon, Numbers

tags: Time, Numbers, Everyday activities, Telling how one is, Wh-words

Parameters

*Handshape*:

The handshape for “One o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” begins with the dominant hand in the “1” handshape, with the index finger extended upward while the other fingers are curled into the palm. The thumb rests lightly against the side of the curled fingers. The non-dominant hand forms a flat base, palm up, as a reference point for expressing time. The handshape remains clear and upright to emphasize the hour and time period.

*Palm Orientation*:

The palm orientation for the sign “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” begins with the palm facing outward while the index finger is extended to represent the number one. As you move into the afternoon portion of the sign, the palm angle adjusts slightly, often tilting upward or outward depending on personal signing style. Throughout, the palm remains visible to the viewer, maintaining clarity and accuracy in conveying the intended time and period.

*Location*:

The sign for “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” begins in front of the dominant side of the torso, near the dominant hand’s shoulder area. The wrist is slightly flexed, and the hand is positioned midline, appearing in front of the chest or rising slightly toward eye level. The palm orientation moves outward, shifting subtly downward to indicate the afternoon context, often combining a numeral handshape and an arc motion signaling time.

*Movement*:

To sign “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” the dominant hand forms the number “1” by extending the index finger upward while the other fingers remain folded, then makes a small clockwise motion to indicate the clock face. This is typically followed by moving the dominant hand into the “open palm” position, and lowering it slightly with a gentle arc to convey “afternoon.” The movement is fluid, emphasizing the transition from “one o’clock” to “afternoon” as a cohesive concept.

*Non-Manual Signals*:

For “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” use raised eyebrows, subtle head tilt to the side, slight squint in the eyes to convey specificity, lips slightly pursed or mouthing “clock” or “afternoon” silently, relaxed facial expression transitioning to a slight nod, natural head movement toward dominant side, consistent eye contact with conversational partner, calm demeanor, smooth transition of facial and head movements, slight smile if context is casual, neutral mouth shape to maintain clarity of intent.

*Prosody, Dominant/Non-Dominant Hand*:

The dominant hand is in the “1” handshape, raised in the air and oriented palm-forward to represent the hour. The non-dominant hand remains in a flat open “B” handshape, horizontal, palm facing upward, indicating the clock face. The dominant hand moves slightly in a small circular motion, portraying the movement of a clock. Afterward, an additional sign follows representing “afternoon,” with the dominant hand slightly above the non-dominant and angled forward.

Tips for Beginners:

To sign “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL,” focus on two key elements: the number “1” and the concept of “afternoon.” Start by forming the number “1” with your dominant hand—a single index finger pointing straight up while the other fingers are curled into your palm. Place the hand in front of your body, palm out, at about chest height.

Move the hand in a small circular motion in front of you, mimicking the motion of a clock’s hands. Then transition to the sign for “afternoon.” Begin by holding your dominant hand in a flat position, with fingers straight and joined, palm facing downward. Position this hand above your non-dominant arm, which acts as a horizontal surface under the dominant hand, to depict the dipping of the sun in the afternoon sky.

Tips for Beginners:

When practicing the sign for “One o’clock in the afternoon in ASL,” break it into two clear parts: “one o’clock” and “afternoon.” This can help you master the movement and placement for each part before blending them smoothly. Start by practicing a steady circular motion for “one o’clock,” ensuring your movement reflects the hands of a clock. Small, controlled circles are key—exaggerated motions can make the sign harder to interpret.

For “afternoon,” pay attention to positioning. Your dominant hand should hover above your non-dominant arm but not rest directly on it. Keep a slight angle to your dominant hand, as this better represents the position of the sun in the afternoon sky. Practice this part slowly until you’re comfortable transitioning seamlessly from the clock motion to the afternoon gesture.

A common pitfall is mixing up the directional orientation of the hands, especially the palm direction in “afternoon.” Double-check that your dominant hand’s palm consistently faces downward. Another challenge may arise when linking the two parts of the sign—ensure the transition is smooth but doesn’t blur the separation between “one o’clock” and the time of day. Practice in front of a mirror to monitor your accuracy and seek feedback from fluent ASL users whenever possible. Consistent practice will make your execution clearer and more natural over time.

Connections to Other topics:

The sign for “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” showcases how time-related concepts in ASL rely on a blend of numeral incorporation, directional movements, and contextual cues. This sign combines the number “1” with the general movement for time on the wrist area, emphasizing its connection to other time-related signs like “two o’clock” or “midnight.” The addition of “afternoon” introduces spatial orientation, generally using an arc movement representing the sun’s position in the afternoon sky. Understanding this sign reinforces how ASL reflects natural phenomena like the sun’s movement to convey time, a feature also present in signs such as “sunrise” or “sunset.”

This sign is an excellent example of how ASL incorporates compound signs, merging concepts like numbers and parts of the day to enrich meaning. For example, “one o’clock in the morning” parallels this structure but instead shifts the spatial orientation downward to indicate morning hours. Similarly, “evening” signs modify the same movement to denote later hours. The principle of compounding seen here links to broader ASL grammar rules, such as forming phrases like “Monday afternoon” by combining a weekday sign with the spatial positioning for “afternoon.”

Contextual nuances also show the flexibility of ASL. For example, the exact placement and speed of the “afternoon” movement may vary slightly based on casual versus formal conversation settings. Additionally, its use in narratives often allows for connecting personal schedules, such as signing “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL, meeting starts,” which integrates time with event-related vocabulary. Such compounds parallel other contextual combos, like “lunchtime,” blending meal times with associated activities. By exploring “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” learners refine their understanding of how ASL blends numerical, temporal, and contextual visual elements, linking it to topics like daily routines (e.g., “afternoon nap”) or broader themes of time management.

Summary:

One o’clock in the afternoon in ASL is a conceptually rich phrase that combines numerical and temporal elements to deliver precise meaning. The execution of this sign primarily involves two components: the indication of the numeral one and the designation of the time frame in the afternoon. Cultural significance, grammatical considerations, linguistic analysis, and applied insights contribute to the depth and nuance of this sign, which is both practical and significant in interpersonal communication. To understand the sign fully, it’s essential to break it down into its component parts and analyze how it functions within the grammar and context of ASL.

The first component of the sign involves the number one, typically rendered by extending the index finger while keeping the rest of the fingers curled into the palm. The thumb is typically folded against or slightly near the base of the other fingers, creating a clear and easily recognizable numeral.

This handshape for “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL” is precise, consistent, and iconic, meaning it visually corresponds to the number it represents. When forming the number one in the context of time, the palm orientation is generally inward, ensuring clarity when it is followed by a time-related marker such as o’clock. The number one by itself is already a foundational building block in ASL, as it is pivotal for counting, identifying, sequencing, and describing quantities in all forms of dialogue.

The second major component of the concept “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL”, is the time-related marker o’clock, which adds a temporal layer. In ASL, o’clock is often conveyed by tapping or presenting a specific position on an imagined clock face using the dominant hand. In this case, the index finger, already extended from forming the number one, is gently tapped against the wrist of the non-dominant hand.

The non-dominant hand generally forms a flat or slightly curved handshape, mimicking the round shape of a watch or clock that might reside on the wrist. The motion is deliberate, ensuring the receiver of the sign recognizes this as a reference to a specific point in time rather than a standalone numeral.

Defining the afternoon portion of the phrase adds yet another layer of meaning to “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL.” The afternoon time frame is conveyed in ASL by positioning the dominant arm, forming a flat handshape, slightly slanted downward away from the body. This motion mimics the sun beginning to descend from its peak, visually referencing how shadows lengthen during the afternoon hours. The conceptual accuracy of this physical representation demonstrates how ASL integrates visual-spatial logic to communicate ideas effectively and intuitively.

Additionally, non-manual markers (NMMs) can help emphasize certainty, inquiry, or emphasis when signing “one o’clock in the afternoon in ASL.” A signer may raise their eyebrows to ask a clarifying question or nod slightly to confirm the time. This combination of movement, spatial orientation, and facial expressions makes ASL a highly efficient and visually expressive language, ensuring that time concepts are clearly and naturally communicated.

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