10 Easy Steps to Say “To” in American Sign Language (ASL)

10 Easy Steps to Say “To” in American Sign Language (ASL)

The American Signal Language (ASL) gesture for “to” is a flexible signal that can be utilized in quite a lot of contexts. It’s sometimes produced by touching the index finger to the thumb, then transferring the hand downward. Nonetheless, the precise type of the signal can range relying on the context during which it’s used.

For instance, the “to” signal can be utilized to point path. On this case, the signal is usually produced with the dominant hand oriented within the path of the motion. For instance, if you wish to say “I’m going to the shop,” you’d signal “I,” then “go,” then “to,” after which signal “retailer.” The “to” signal on this context signifies that you’re transferring in the direction of the shop.

The “to” signal will also be used to point goal. On this case, the signal is usually produced with the dominant hand oriented in the direction of the individual or object that’s the goal of the motion. For instance, if you wish to say “I’m giving this e-book to my good friend,” you’d signal “I,” then “give,” then “this,” then “e-book,” then “to,” after which signal “good friend.” The “to” signal on this context signifies that the aim of the motion (giving) is to switch the e-book to your good friend.

Greeting with “To”

Greeting somebody with “To” in American Signal Language (ASL) is an easy and easy gesture. Observe these steps:

  1. Place your dominant hand in entrance of your physique, palm going through in the direction of you and fingers prolonged.
  2. Transfer your hand downward in a fast, slight movement, as if tapping the air.
  3. Hold your palm going through in the direction of you and your fingers barely curled.

This signal represents the idea of “to” or “in the direction of” and is often used to point the path or recipient of an motion or assertion.

Instance

To signal “I am going to high school,” you’d mix the next indicators:

Signal Which means
I Particular person signing
GO Motion of going
TO Route or recipient
SCHOOL Place of training

Indicating a Particular person

To point a selected individual in ASL, use the next steps:

1. Signal the Particular person’s Identify or Traits

If the individual’s title is thought, spell it out utilizing the ASL alphabet. If their title will not be recognized or tough to signal, describe their bodily traits, comparable to their hair shade, eye shade, or clothes.

2. Level or Use Directionality

To additional specify the individual, level instantly at them or use gestures to point their path. For instance, you’ll be able to level along with your index finger or use a sweeping movement along with your hand to point the individual’s location. Moreover, you need to use facial expressions, comparable to nodding or elevating your eyebrows, to emphasise the directionality.

This is a desk summarizing the totally different handshapes, areas, and actions used to point an individual:

Handshape Location Motion
“P” hand Towards the individual Pointing
“C” hand Within the path of the individual Sweeping movement
“2” hand Towards the individual Nodding or elevating eyebrows

3. Emphasize with Pronouns or Possessives

To additional emphasize the individual you are indicating, use pronouns comparable to “he,” “she,” or “they” or possessive pronouns comparable to “mine,” “yours,” or “theirs.” This helps make clear which individual you are referring to throughout the context of the dialog.

Expressing a Relationship

In American Signal Language (ASL), there are a number of methods to specific a relationship between individuals or issues. Probably the most widespread is the “to” signal, which can be utilized to point possession, location, or a connection between two people. Listed below are just a few examples of how the “to” signal can be utilized:

  • Possession: To signal “I’ve a e-book,” you’d first signal the letter H for “have,” adopted by the signal for “e-book,” after which the “to” signal. This may point out that the e-book belongs to you.
  • Location: To signal “The e-book is on the desk,” you’d first signal the letter B for “e-book,” adopted by the signal for “desk,” after which the “to” signal. This may point out that the e-book is positioned on high of the desk.
  • Connection: To signal “My good friend is coming to my home,” you’d first signal the letter F for “good friend,” adopted by the signal for “come,” after which the “to” signal. This may point out that your good friend is coming over to your home.
Relationship Signal
Possession H + Object + TO
Location Object + Location + TO
Connection Person1 + Verb + Person2 + TO

Describing a Location

1. Pointing To A Place

To level to a spot, merely prolong your index finger and level within the path of the situation.

2. Utilizing Signal Language Fingerspelling

If you already know the precise title of the situation, you’ll be able to spell it out utilizing signal language fingerspelling.

3. Utilizing Descriptive Indicators

For areas that do not have a selected title, you need to use descriptive indicators to convey their traits.

4. Combining Indicators

Typically, you may want to mix a number of indicators to precisely describe a location. This is a desk with some widespread mixtures:

Location Signal
Home Make a fist along with your thumb prolonged and faucet your brow.
Faculty Make a fist along with your thumb and index finger prolonged and faucet your chin.
Retailer Make a “C” form along with your hand and faucet your palm.
Restaurant Faucet your index finger and center finger to your lips, then make a round movement.

By combining these indicators, you’ll be able to describe virtually any location. For instance, to say “the home on the nook,” you’d signal “HOUSE” after which level to the nook.

Conveying a Route

To convey a path in ASL, you need to use a mix of hand gestures and facial expressions. Listed below are the steps to observe:

  1. Kind the letter “T” along with your non-dominant hand: Place your thumb and index finger collectively, forming a “T” form. Hold your different fingers relaxed.
  2. Transfer your “T” hand within the path you wish to point out: Level your “T” hand in the direction of the article or location you might be referring to.
  3. Use a facial features to emphasise the path: Look in the direction of the path you might be indicating and use a barely exaggerated facial features, comparable to elevating your eyebrows or widening your eyes, to attract consideration to the gesture.
  4. Repeat the gesture if obligatory: If the individual you might be speaking with doesn’t perceive the path, repeat the gesture whereas emphasizing the facial features.
  5. Use different indicators to make clear the path: If the path is complicated or includes a number of steps, you need to use further ASL indicators to supply extra element. For instance, you need to use the signal for “proper” or “left” to specify a selected path. You may as well use the signal for “forward” to point a ahead path.
ASL Signal Which means
T Sign Route
Right Sign Proper
Left Sign Left
Ahead Sign Forward

Representing an Motion

When signing “to” in ASL, the movement represents the act of doing or performing one thing. The handshape is a impartial “S” handshape, and the motion is a slight downward and outward movement, as if to point the path of the motion. For instance, to signal “to stroll,” you’d make the “S” handshape and transfer your hand downward and barely outward, as if to indicate somebody the path during which you might be strolling.

Motion ASL Signal
To stroll [Image of ASL sign for “to walk”]
To eat [Image of ASL sign for “to eat”]
To drink [Image of ASL sign for “to drink”]

The precise location of the signal can range relying on the context of the dialog. For instance, if you’re signing “to go to the shop,” you may begin the signal at your chest and transfer it outward, as if to point the path during which you’re going. Conversely, if you’re signing “to place one thing away,” you may begin the signal close to your shoulder and transfer it downward, as if to point the path during which you might be placing one thing away.

Depicting a State of Being

1. Present the State of Being

To depict a state of being, use the suitable handshape to symbolize the idea. For instance, “drained” is indicated by inserting the fingers of the dominant hand on the brow, as if to wipe away sweat.

2. Transfer the Hand

Transfer the hand in a method that conveys the state of being. As an illustration, “pleased” includes transferring the hand in a small circle, whereas “unhappy” includes transferring it downward.

3. Modify the Velocity

The velocity of the hand motion also can convey the depth of the state of being. For instance, “very excited” includes transferring the hand sooner than “barely excited.”

4. Use Facial Expressions

Facial expressions can improve the that means of the hand actions. For instance, when signing “pleased,” smile or make eye contact to convey the emotion.

5. Use Physique Actions

Full-body actions also can help the state of being. For instance, when signing “drained,” hunch your shoulders or lean in opposition to one thing to convey exhaustion.

6. Add Indicators

Incorporate particular indicators to make clear the state of being. As an illustration, add the “really feel” signal to “drained” to convey “I really feel drained.”

7. Describing Particular Sensations

Use descriptive indicators to convey explicit sensations. The next desk gives examples:

Sensation ASL Signal
Sizzling Maintain fingers collectively, then unfold them aside
Chilly Rub arms collectively in a shaking movement
Hungry Rotate fist in a small circle in entrance of mouth

Utilizing “To” for Comparability

In ASL, the signal for “to” will also be used to make comparisons. To do that, merely signal the 2 belongings you wish to examine, adopted by the signal for “to.” For instance, to say “apple to orange,” you’d signal APPLE, ORANGE, TO.

Listed below are some further examples of find out how to use “to” for comparability:

ASL Signal English Translation
APPLE, ORANGE, TO Apple to orange
BIG, SMALL, TO Huge to small
COLD, HOT, TO Chilly to scorching

The signal for “to” will also be used to match greater than two issues. To do that, merely signal the very first thing, adopted by the signal for “to,” after which signal the following factor. For instance, to say “apple to orange to banana,” you’d signal APPLE, TO, ORANGE, TO, BANANA.

The signal for “to” is a flexible signal that can be utilized in quite a lot of methods to make comparisons. By understanding find out how to use this signal, you’ll be able to increase your vocabulary and talk extra successfully in ASL.

Combining “To” with Different Indicators

The signal for “to” will be mixed with different indicators to create new indicators. For instance, the signal for “to go” is made by combining the signal for “to” with the signal for “go.” The signal for “to eat” is made by combining the signal for “to” with the signal for “eat.”

Here’s a desk exhibiting among the commonest mixtures of the signal for “to” with different indicators:

Signal for “To” Signal for Different Phrase Mixture Signal
T Go To Go
T Eat To Eat
T Drink To Drink
T Sleep To Sleep
T Work To Work

These are just some examples of the numerous ways in which the signal for “to” will be mixed with different indicators. By studying these mixtures, you’ll be able to increase your ASL vocabulary and talk extra successfully.

Conversational Utilization of “To”

In on a regular basis dialog, “to” is utilized in numerous methods:

1. Directionality

To point the path or vacation spot of an motion or motion:

Instance:

She walked to the shop.

2. Goal or Aim

To precise the rationale or goal of an motion:

Instance:

She went to the shop to purchase groceries.

3. Recipient

To point the individual or factor receiving one thing:

Instance:

She gave the e-book to her good friend.

4. Time or Date

To specify a selected time or date:

Instance:

The film begins at 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

5. Relationship or Connection

To point a relationship or connection between two issues:

Instance:

She is much like her sister.

6. Comparability

To check two issues:

Instance:

This e-book is best than that one.

7. Addition

To point an addition to one thing:

Instance:

I added some flour to the recipe.

8. Diploma or Extent

To precise the diploma or extent of one thing:

Instance:

She could be very pleased to see you.

9. Future Tense

To type the long run tense of a verb (with “going to”):

Instance:

She goes to the shop.

10. Different Phrases and Expressions

To can also be utilized in different widespread phrases and expressions, comparable to:

Phrase Which means
Backward and forward Backwards and forwards
To be or to not be A philosophical query about existence
To the purpose Direct and particular

The way to Say “To” in ASL

In American Signal Language (ASL), the signal for “to” is made by touching the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb after which transferring your hand ahead barely. The palm of your hand needs to be going through down.

Listed below are the steps for signing “to” in ASL:

  1. Begin along with your hand in a fist along with your thumb prolonged.
  2. Contact the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb.
  3. Transfer your hand ahead barely, holding your thumb and index finger touching.
  4. Hold your palm going through down.

Folks Additionally Ask

How do you signal “to” in ASL for an individual?

To signal “to” for an individual in ASL, you’d signal the individual’s title signal adopted by the signal for “to”. For instance, to signal “to John,” you’d signal the title signal for John (by touching your proper index finger to your proper palm and transferring it in the direction of your physique) adopted by the signal for “to”.

How do you signal “to” in ASL for a spot?

To signal “to” for a spot in ASL, you’d signal the signal for the place adopted by the signal for “to”. For instance, to signal “to the shop,” you’d signal the signal for the shop (by touching the ideas of your index fingers collectively after which transferring your arms aside) adopted by the signal for “to”.