Meredith Sandra
Learning American Sign Language (ASL) can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. ASL is a rich and expressive visual language used by the Deaf and hard of hearing community. One essential aspect of ASL is understanding how to convey spatial relationships. In this guide, we will explore how to say “behind” in ASL, providing both formal and informal ways to express this concept. While regional variations exist, we will focus on commonly used signs. Let’s get started!
Formal Ways to Say “Behind”
When using ASL in formal settings, such as in educational or professional contexts, it is essential to use appropriate signs. Here are some formal ways to express “behind” in ASL:
- Sign: Open Hand Shape
Hold your non-dominant hand out with palm facing up, fingers together and slightly bent. Place your dominant hand, also with an open palm, behind your non-dominant hand. Move your dominant hand in a small arc behind the non-dominant hand, symbolizing something or someone positioned behind.
Example: Imagine you are describing a person standing behind a table. First, sign “table,” then use the “behind” sign to demonstrate their position relative to the table.
- Sign: “Back”
Extend both of your open hands out in front of you, palms facing down and fingers straight. Gradually move both hands backward, keeping them parallel to your body. This sign represents the idea of something or someone being located behind.
Example: Let’s say you want to talk about a car behind a house. To express this, sign “house” first and then transition to the “back” sign while moving your hands backward to indicate the car’s position relative to the house.
Informal Ways to Say “Behind”
In informal situations or everyday conversations among friends, family, or within the Deaf community, signs sometimes differ slightly from formal signs. Here are a few informal ways to say “behind” in ASL:
- Sign: “Butt Out”
Hold your dominant hand in a loose, fist-like shape with your thumb pointing upward. Place your fist near your lower back, as if you were highlighting the location of your buttocks. Move your hand slightly outward as a way to indicate something or someone positioned behind.
Example: Suppose you want to describe a tree located behind a park bench. Begin by signing “park bench,” then transition to the “butt out” sign while moving your hand outward to show the tree’s position behind the bench.
- Sign: “Hide”
Form both hands into loose fists. Extend your non-dominant hand in front of you, palm facing up, and place your dominant hand on top of it, fingers facing forward. Move your dominant hand slightly behind the non-dominant hand while keeping your non-dominant hand stationary. This sign mimics the idea of something or someone hiding behind.
Example: If you want to discuss a person hiding behind a wall, begin by signing “wall,” then use the “hide” sign to represent the person’s position behind the wall.
Additional Tips and Examples
Learning any language requires practice and exposure. Here are some extra tips and examples to enhance your understanding of how to say “behind” in ASL:
- Use Facial Expressions: Facial expressions are vital in ASL as they convey emotions and contexts. When signing “behind,” use facial expressions to indicate the specific meaning or intention behind the sign.
- Non-Manual Markers: ASL utilizes non-manual markers, such as head tilts and eyebrow raises, to modify the meaning of signs. Incorporate these markers while signing “behind” to add nuance or clarify the intended context.
- Practice with a Partner: Find a signing partner or join a local ASL community to practice and receive feedback. Regular interaction with fluent signers will help improve your sign production and comprehension skills.
Let’s elaborate on the previous examples:
Example: John went to a store. The store clerk was standing behind a counter. John used the “behind” sign to explain to his friend the clerk’s location in relation to the counter.
Example: Sara asked her brother to grab a book behind her on the shelf. Sara combined the “book” sign with the “behind” sign to clearly describe the book’s position.
Remember, these examples are just a glimpse of how you can incorporate “behind” into your ASL conversations. The more you practice and immerse yourself in the Deaf community, the more you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to express spatial relationships effectively.
Learning ASL takes time and dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable. By mastering signs like “behind,” you not only broaden your communication abilities but also foster connections with the Deaf community. Enjoy your ASL journey!
