Post: Have you ever wondered how people who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate? For them, sign language is their primary mode of communication. Sign language is a visual language that uses a combination of hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language to convey meaning. It is a unique and beautiful language that allows individuals to communicate effectively without the use of voice or sound. Today, we want to introduce you to some common signs in the American Sign Language (ASL). ASL is a complete language that has its own grammar, syntax, and structure. It is used by millions of people in the United States and Canada. Learning a few signs can help you communicate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing and can also expand your knowledge of different cultures and languages. Let’s start with the basic signs for the alphabet. There are two ways to sign the alphabet in ASL. The first way is to use one hand to make the letter shapes. For example, to sign the letter A, you would make a fist and then extend your thumb and little finger. The second way is to use both hands to sign the letters. For example, to sign the letter B, you would make a flat hand shape with your left hand and then use your right index finger to point to your left hand. Next, let’s learn some signs for colors. To sign “red,” place your right hand on your chin and then move it down to your chest in a straight line. To sign “blue,” make a fist with your right hand and then move it up and down in front of your body with your thumb pointing outwards. To sign “green,” make a fist with your left hand and then place your right hand on top of it and twist it back and forth. Now, let’s move on to some common signs for everyday activities. To sign “eat,” pretend to put food in your mouth with your right hand. To sign “drink,” pretend to hold a cup with your right hand and bring it to your mouth. To sign “sleep,” make a fist with both hands and stack them on top of each other like pillows. To sign “work,” extend both arms in front of your body with your hands in fists and then move them back and forth. Finally, let’s learn some signs for emotions. To sign “happy,” make the letter Y with both hands and then move them up and down in front of your body. To sign “sad,” hold your right hand to your chest and then move it down towards your stomach. To sign “angry,” make a fist with both hands and then extend your index fingers and cross them in front of your body. Learning sign language is not only useful for communicating with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but it is also a great way to expand your knowledge of different cultures and languages. ASL is a beautiful and unique language that should be celebrated and learned by everyone. We hope you enjoyed learning some common signs in ASL. Share this post with your friends and family to spread awareness and appreciation for sign language. Remember to always be inclusive and respectful towards individuals who communicate using sign language.
