American Sign Language (ASL) is a unique and expressive language used by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community in the United States. Learning ASL opens up a world of communication and connection with the Deaf community. If you’re looking to learn how to say “across” in ASL, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll cover both the formal and informal ways to sign “across,” along with some helpful tips, examples, and regional variations.
Table of Contents
Formal Way to Say “Across” in ASL
To sign “across” formally in ASL, follow these steps:
- Start with your dominant hand open, fingers extended and palm facing downwards.
- With your non-dominant hand, form a flat palm with fingers together and palm facing upwards.
- Place your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant hand, making sure one hand is directly above the other.
- Slide your dominant hand across the top of your non-dominant hand, moving from one side to the other, maintaining contact between the two hands.
This formal sign for “across” signifies the movement of something from one side to the other, representing crossing a physical boundary or moving from one place to another.
Informal Way to Say “Across” in ASL
The informal way to sign “across” in ASL eliminates the sliding motion and uses a repeated tapping motion instead. Here’s how to do it:
- Begin with your dominant hand open, palm facing inwards.
- Place your non-dominant forearm vertically, with the palm facing downward.
- Use your dominant hand to tap the top of your non-dominant forearm multiple times, indicating the concept of moving across or going from one side to another.
The informal sign for “across” is often used in casual conversations and everyday interactions within the Deaf community. It is more rapid and direct, representing a simpler way to convey the sign.
Tips for Signing “Across” in ASL
Here are some tips to keep in mind when signing “across” in ASL:
- Maintain eye contact: Ensure you maintain eye contact while signing “across” to demonstrate respect and engagement.
- Establish facial expression: Use appropriate facial expressions to convey the meaning and intensity of “across” in context.
- Pay attention to body posture: Engage your whole body while signing to enhance the meaning and fluidity of your expression.
- Practice regularly: Like any language, practice is crucial for mastering ASL. Find opportunities to practice signing “across” in different scenarios to improve your fluency.
Examples of “Across” in ASL
Imagine a river flowing across the land, cutting a path from one side to the other.
Here are some scenarios where you might use the sign for “across”:
- “I need to walk across the room to get to the other side.”
- “He swam across the lake to reach the opposite shore.”
- “Let’s go hiking and explore the trail that goes across the mountain.”
The sign for “across” can be used in various contexts to represent the idea of moving or traversing from one side to another.
Regional Variations
While ASL remains relatively consistent across the United States, there may be subtle regional variations in sign language usage. However, the signs for “across” described above are widely recognized and understood throughout the ASL community.
Conclusion
Mastering ASL opens doors to effective communication with the Deaf community. Learning how to sign “across” allows you to express the concept of moving from one side to another, whether physically or metaphorically. By utilizing the formal or informal sign, practicing regularity, and paying attention to visual cues, your signing skills will flourish. Remember, maintaining eye contact, establishing appropriate facial expressions, and embodying the meaning through body posture are key elements of effective ASL communication. Enrich your ASL vocabulary by continuously expanding your knowledge of signs and practicing in real-world conversations. Happy signing!
