Q&A for How to Sign Emotions in American Sign Language

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What does a fist in the hand with thumb up mean?
    Community Answer
    Help...if you point it toward someone it can mean "You help me" or "I help you" or some variation of that.
  • Question
    Does anyone know any accurate and easy-to-learn ASL websites?
    Community Answer
    Aslproz.com, lifeprint.com, handspeak.com, spreadthesign.com. The signs may vary between websites, but that's because signs can vary regionally and also there can be multiple signs for a word just in general.
  • Question
    How do I tell what people are saying in sign language?
    Community Answer
    Most of what people sign can be told through their facial expressions. If you cannot find out what the person is saying, it is easiest to figure out if they are asking a question (raised eyebrows means yes or no, lowered eyebrows mean an answering question) and to find out how they feel about the subject.
  • Question
    What does it mean to make an almost octopus-like hand motion with all fingers above the head?
    Community Answer
    From what you are describing, it is either the sign for "grace" or the sign for "sunshine." If it is directly above the head, it could mean "shower."
  • Question
    What does crossing my pinkies mean?
    Community Answer
    I think you're describing the sign for "last".
  • Question
    What does it mean when someone points to their temple?
    Community Answer
    If it's not moving, then it could be think, mind, or brain. If it moves in a circular motion, that means crazy.
  • Question
    What does it mean when three fingers of one hand are being put on top of the other hand?
    Krystal Reynolds
    Community Answer
    Doctor is the only sign I can think of that I know that fits your description. Index, middle and ring are the three fingers in that sign.
  • Question
    If I hold my hand like I would if I was going to poke someone, what does that sign mean in ASL?
    Community Answer
    That is a way to refer to someone, so you'd be referring to the person that you're pointing to.
  • Question
    What does hands clasped together mean?
    Krystal Reynolds
    Community Answer
    It could mean marriage, congratulations, believe (if you sign think before it), husband (if you sign boy before it), wife (if you sign girl before it), or prayer.
  • Question
    What does two fingers on the jaw area mean?
    Community Answer
    If you place your index and middle finger on your jaw and open until you feel a ball, that is how wide your mouth should be when you sing.
  • Question
    What do fluttering hands mean?
    Community Answer
    Loads of signs come to mind. Flattery, waiting, color, and "How cool!"
  • Question
    What does it mean when someone is flicking at me?
    Krystal Reynolds
    Community Answer
    It could mean a lot of things: ask, tell, hate, awful, don't like, pay, sell and store, to name a few. To give you a more specific answer would depend on the beginning and end hand shapes, the motion, and where the hand is located.
  • Question
    What does it mean to happily pat the chest?
    Community Answer
    This is the sign for happy! To do it just take one or two hands and pat your chest in an upward motion.
  • Question
    What does it mean to hold hands up and pump them twice in the air?
    Community Answer
    If you have two hands in a flat motion and pump them in the air, that means wonderful or great.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article