Week in American Sign Language (ASL)
In American Sign Language (ASL), the concept of “week” can be expressed through various signs and gestures. This article explores the different ways to convey the idea of a week in ASL, including the basic sign for “week,” expressing recurring weeks, and the specific signs for the days of the week.
The Basic Sign for “Week”
The basic sign for “week” in ASL is formed by making your dominant hand into an index-finger handshape and moving it forward over the palm of your non-dominant hand. This sign represents the general concept of a week and is used in various contexts.
Number Incorporation
In ASL, the word “week” can be incorporated with a number between 1 and 9 to indicate a specific number of weeks. Beyond ten, the number is signed first, followed by the sign for “week.” This allows for the expression of different durations or quantities of weeks.
Recurring Weeks: “Weekly” and “Biweekly”
ASL has specific signs to express recurring weeks. The sign for “weekly” involves inflecting the regular ASL sign for “week” to indicate a recurring action. This sign represents something that happens every week.
The sign for “biweekly” incorporates a number between 1 and 9 with the sign for “weekly.” For example, to sign “biweekly,” the sign for “weekly” is performed twice, indicating an action that occurs every two weeks. This pattern can be extended to express “tri-weekly,” “quad-weekly,” and so on, up to nine.
Days of the Week in ASL
In ASL, each day of the week has its own specific sign. Here are the signs for the days of the week in ASL:
- Sunday: Open both hands, palms facing you, and move them in a circular motion.
- Monday: Use the “M-hand” and do a little circle towards you.
- Tuesday: Use the “T-hand,” flip it towards you, and do a little circle.
- Wednesday: Use the “W-hand” and turn it towards you in a circle.
- Thursday: Move the “H-hand” (the second letter of Thursday) in a circular motion.
- Friday: Use the “F-hand,” turn it towards you, and move in a circle.
- Saturday: Use the “S-hand” and move it in a circle.
These signs for the days of the week allow for clear communication when discussing specific days or scheduling events in ASL.
Sources
- Lifeprint – ASL Online Dictionary: Week
- HandSpeak – How to Tell Week in a Calendar in ASL
- ASL-Kids – Days of the Week in Sign Language
These sources provide additional information and illustrations related to the signs and expressions discussed in this article.
FAQs
Week in American Sign Language (ASL)
How do you sign “week” in American Sign Language (ASL)?
The basic sign for “week” in ASL is made by forming your dominant hand into an index-finger handshape and moving it forward over the palm of your non-dominant hand.
Can you incorporate numbers with the sign for “week” in ASL?
Yes, in ASL, the word “week” can be incorporated with a number between 1 and 9 to indicate a specific number of weeks. Beyond ten, one signs the number and then “week.”
How do you express recurring weeks in ASL?
ASL has specific signs to express recurring weeks. The sign for “weekly” is the regular ASL word for “week” inflected to indicate a recurring action. The sign for “biweekly” involves incorporating a number between 1 and 9 with the sign for “weekly.”
What are the signs for the days of the week in ASL?
In ASL, each day of the week has its own specific sign. Here are the signs for the days of the week in ASL:
- Sunday: Open both hands, palms facing you, and move them in a circular motion.
- Monday: Use the “M-hand” and do a little circle towards you.
- Tuesday: Use the “T-hand,” flip it towards you, and do a little circle.
- Wednesday: Use the “W-hand” and turn it towards you in a circle.
- Thursday: Move the “H-hand” (the second letter of Thursday) in a circular motion.
- Friday: Use the “F-hand,” turn it towards you, and move in a circle.
- Saturday: Use the “S-hand” and move it in a circle.
How can I learn more about ASL signs and expressions?
There are various online resources, such as ASL dictionaries and tutorial websites, where you can learn more about ASL signs and expressions. These resources provide comprehensive lessons and visual demonstrations to help you improve your ASL skills.
Can I use ASL to communicate with Deaf individuals?
Yes, American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete and distinct language used by many Deaf individuals in the United States and parts of Canada. Learning ASL can enable effective communication with Deaf individuals and contribute to inclusivity and accessibility.