5 Easy Ways to Say “At” in ASL

5 Easy Ways to Say “At” in ASL

Within the realm of expressive and complex communication, American Signal Language (ASL) emerges as a vibrant language that enables people to convey their ideas, concepts, and feelings by means of the sleek actions of their arms and our bodies. Among the many many phrases that make up the tapestry of ASL, “at” occupies a major place. Understanding tips on how to convey “at” in ASL unlocks doorways to significant conversations and deepens your appreciation for this charming language.

The gesture for “at” in ASL is deceptively easy but remarkably evocative. Carried out with the dominant hand, the index finger extends outwards, forming a straight line. The hand stays stationary, held at chest peak, with the palm dealing with downwards. To convey the idea of “at,” the index finger factors in the direction of the specified location or object. This delicate but exact gesture permits people to pinpoint a selected place or time with out the necessity for spoken phrases. Moreover, the hand could be moved in a round movement to point a basic location or space. The fantastic thing about ASL lies in its capability to convey spatial relationships with readability and class.

Incorporating the gesture for “at” into your ASL vocabulary opens up a world of expressive prospects. You possibly can point out the time of an appointment by pointing to the suitable hour on an imaginary clock, or specify the placement of a gathering by pointing within the course of the venue. By combining the gesture for “at” with different indicators, you possibly can create complicated sentences that convey a wealth of knowledge with astonishing brevity. For example, the mixture of “HOME” and “AT” signifies “at dwelling,” whereas “SCHOOL” and “AT” collectively translate to “at college.” The flexibility of the “at” gesture makes it an indispensable instrument for efficient ASL communication, permitting you to navigate social interactions, convey instructions, and share your experiences with others.

Understanding the Fundamentals of ASL

American Signal Language (ASL) is an entire and pure language that makes use of visual-gestural communication. It’s utilized by deaf and onerous of listening to individuals in the USA and Canada and is acknowledged as an official language in a number of states and provinces.

Understanding the fundamentals of ASL entails studying the alphabet, numbers, and fundamental indicators. The ASL alphabet is much like the English alphabet, however with a couple of modifications.

To be taught the ASL alphabet, it’s useful to follow the next steps:

  1. Begin by studying a couple of letters at a time. Give attention to the handshape, location, and motion related to every letter.
  2. Observe writing the letters within the air or on paper. This can aid you to enhance your muscle reminiscence and accuracy.
  3. Use the alphabet to spell out phrases and phrases. This can aid you to follow your ASL fluency and comprehension.
  4. Watch movies and tutorials to enhance your understanding of ASL grammar and syntax. This can aid you to make use of ASL successfully in real-life conditions.

After getting a fundamental understanding of the ASL alphabet, you can begin studying numbers and fundamental indicators. Numbers are signed utilizing a mix of handshapes and actions. Fundamental indicators characterize frequent phrases and phrases, equivalent to “whats up,” “thanks,” and “I like you.”

Variations of the “At” Signal

Base Handshape

The bottom handshape for the “at” signal is the “A” handshape. To make this handshape, contact the tip of your thumb to the tip of your center finger, and lengthen your different fingers straight up.

Location

The “at” signal is usually made in entrance of the physique, at shoulder peak. You possibly can alter the placement of the signal to point the particular location of one thing. For instance, you may make the signal decrease to point one thing that’s on the bottom, or increased to point one thing that’s within the air. You can too use your different hand to level to the particular location.

Orientation

The “at” signal could be made with the palm dealing with ahead or backward. The palm-forward orientation is extra frequent and is used to point a basic location. The palm-backward orientation is used to point a extra particular location, equivalent to a selected constructing or room.

Motion

The “at” signal could be made with or with out motion. The non-moving “at” signal is used to point a static location. The transferring “at” signal is used to point a location that’s altering. For instance, you may make the signal whereas transferring your hand to point that one thing is transferring from one location to a different.

Variations

There are a number of variations of the “at” signal. The commonest variation is the “relaxed” “at” signal. This signal is made by merely holding the “A” handshape in entrance of the physique. The opposite variations of the “at” signal are as follows:

Letter Handshape Location Motion

A Closed fist Chest Up and down
B Open hand with thumb prolonged Chin Up and down
C Closed fist with thumb prolonged Facet of face Up and down
Variation Description
Formal “at” signal This signal is made by holding the “A” handshape in entrance of the physique and transferring it up and down.
Emphatic “at” signal This signal is made by holding the “A” handshape in entrance of the physique and shaking it back and forth.
Directional “at” signal This signal is made by holding the “A” handshape in entrance of the physique and pointing it within the course of the specified location.

Utilizing “At” in Sentences

When signing “at,” the dominant hand types an index finger and factors outward. The hand strikes shortly in the direction of the receiver, touchdown gently. The non-dominant hand could be positioned on the chest or the aspect of the physique. See the desk beneath for examples of utilizing “at” in sentences.

ASL Sentence English Sentence
AT STORE I am on the retailer.
AT HOME She’s at dwelling.
AT SCHOOL They’re at college.

Variation 5: Indicating Particular Instances or Dates

To point particular instances or dates, signal “at” after which observe it with the suitable quantity signal. For instance, to say “at 10:00,” signal “AT” adopted by the quantity “10.” For dates, use the month or 12 months signal adopted by “AT” and the day of the month.

Listed here are a couple of examples:

  • AT 10:00 – 10:00 AM
  • AT JANUARY 28 – January twenty eighth
  • AT 2023 – Within the 12 months 2023

Frequent Errors to Keep away from

When signing “at,” there are a couple of frequent errors to keep away from:

1. Do not confuse “at” with “and.”

“At” makes use of a single “A” handshape held horizontally and moved ahead whereas “and” makes use of two “A” handshapes held vertically and moved in the direction of one another.

2. Do not use the identical hand for each indicators.

For “at,” use one hand, whereas for “to,” use the opposite.

3. Do not make the “at” signal too excessive or low.

The “at” signal must be held at about the identical stage because the chin.

4. Do not make the “at” signal too giant or small.

The “at” signal must be concerning the measurement of a golf ball.

5. Do not transfer the “at” signal too quick or sluggish.

The “at” signal must be moved ahead at a average velocity.

6. Do not make the “at” signal too jerky.

The “at” signal must be moved ahead easily and evenly.

7. **Do not tilt your hand when signing “at.”**

The “at” signal must be held horizontally with no tilt. A typical mistake is to tilt the hand barely upward or downward, which may change the that means of the signal. All the time hold the hand stage for correct “at” execution.

This is a desk summarizing the variations between the proper and incorrect hand positions for the “at” signal:

Appropriate Incorrect

Handheld horizontally, not tilted

Hand tilted barely upward

Handheld horizontally, not tilted

Hand tilted barely downward

At Fingerspell

The fingerspell for “at” is made by putting the thumb on the tip of the little finger and increasing the index, center, and ring fingers.

Different Methods to Signal At

  1. One-handed signal: Curl your dominant hand right into a unfastened fist and contact your knuckles to your brow, then flick your hand ahead.
  2. Two-handed signal: Prolong your dominant arm out to the aspect and make a fist along with your fingers pointing up. Curl your different hand right into a fist and place it on prime of the primary fist.
  3. “Close to” signal: Signal “NEAR” adopted by the placement the place one thing is located.
  4. “Shut” signal: Signal “CLOSE” adopted by the placement the place one thing is located.
  5. “There” signal: Signal “THERE” adopted by the placement the place one thing is located.
  6. “On” signal: Signal “ON” adopted by the floor or object the place one thing is located.
  7. “In” signal: Signal “IN” adopted by the container or house the place one thing is located.
  8. “By” signal: Signal “BY” adopted by the particular person or object that one thing is situated close to.
  9. “Subsequent to” signal: Signal “NEXT TO” adopted by the particular person or object that one thing is situated adjoining to.

Variations for Completely different Contexts

The signal for “at” could be modified to convey particular contexts:

Variant Which means
At a spot Contact your brow and flick your hand in the direction of the placement.
At a time Signal “TIME,” then signal the particular time.
At an occasion Signal “EVENT,” then signal the particular occasion.
At an individual’s home Signal “HOUSE,” then signal the particular person’s identify.

How To Say At In Asl

To say “at” in American Signal Language (ASL), place your dominant hand in your non-dominant hand and transfer it barely ahead, as in case you had been indicating a selected location. Maintain your fingers straight and collectively, and be sure that your thumb is touching the again of your non-dominant thumb.

Folks Additionally Ask

How do you say “on the park” in ASL?

To say “on the park” in ASL, begin by signing “AT.” Then, signal “PARK” by putting your dominant hand in your non-dominant hand and transferring it barely ahead, as in case you had been indicating a selected location. Maintain your fingers straight and collectively, and be sure that your thumb is touching the again of your non-dominant thumb.

How do you say “at dwelling” in ASL?

To say “at dwelling” in ASL, begin by signing “AT.” Then, signal “HOME” by putting your dominant hand in your non-dominant hand and transferring it barely ahead, as in case you had been indicating a selected location. Maintain your fingers straight and collectively, and be sure that your thumb is touching the again of your non-dominant thumb.

How do you say “at work” in ASL?

To say “at work” in ASL, begin by signing “AT.” Then, signal “WORK” by putting your dominant hand in your non-dominant hand and transferring it barely ahead, as in case you had been indicating a selected location. Maintain your fingers straight and collectively, and be sure that your thumb is touching the again of your non-dominant thumb.