In the world of sign language, communication is expressed through a beautiful combination of hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. If you are looking to learn how to say “chair” in sign language, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to convey this term. Regional variations will also be discussed, though they are not as prevalent in sign language as they are in spoken languages. So, let’s dive in and discover the various ways to sign “chair”!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Chair in Sign
When signing in formal settings, it’s important to follow certain conventions to ensure clear communication. Here are a few formal ways to sign “chair” in various sign languages:
American Sign Language (ASL)
- Gesture: Extend your dominant hand in front of you with your fingers together. Make a fist with your thumb resting on top of your curled fingers, and mimic the motion of sitting down on an imaginary chair.
- Sign: Start with your dominant hand in the ASL number 5 sign (fingers extended, palm facing inward). Then, bend your fingers inward twice, mimicking the motion of sitting down on the chair.
British Sign Language (BSL)
- Gesture: Hold your non-dominant hand flat, palm facing upward. With your dominant hand, create a flat, open palm and rest it on your non-dominant hand, as if placing an imaginary chair on it.
- Sign: Extend your non-dominant hand in front of you with your palm facing upward. With your dominant hand, bring your fingers together and shape them like the legs of a chair, while resting your hand on your non-dominant hand.
Informal Ways to Say Chair in Sign
Informal sign language is often used among friends, family, or in casual social settings. Here are some informal ways to sign “chair” in different sign languages:
American Sign Language (ASL)
- Gesture: Extend your dominant hand in front of you with your fingers together. Curve your fingers slightly, mimicking the shape of a chair’s backrest, and pretend to sit down on it.
- Sign: Hold your dominant hand in the ASL number 5 sign, with your fingers extended and your palm facing inward. Then, bring your hand downward with a slight flick of the wrist, as if indicating the seat of a chair.
British Sign Language (BSL)
- Gesture: Hold your non-dominant hand flat, palm facing upward, just like in the formal gesture. With your dominant hand, mimic the action of stacking one hand on top of another, as if piling up imaginary chairs.
- Sign: Rest your non-dominant hand flat, palm facing upward. Bring your dominant hand above your non-dominant hand and imitate a two-legged chair by bending your index and middle fingers while keeping the rest of your fingers extended.
Regional Variations
While sign languages are primarily concerned with clear communication, some regional variations in signs can still exist. Here are a couple of regional variations in signing “chair”:
- Australian Sign Language (Auslan): Hold your dominant hand in the Auslan number 6 sign (thumb extended, fingers clenched into a fist). Touch your clenched fingers to your cheek while moving your hand downward in a slight circular motion.
- French Sign Language (LSF): Make the LSF number 4 sign with your dominant hand (palm toward yourself, index finger extended). Place the tip of your index finger on your chin and move your hand downward with a flicking motion.
TIP: When learning sign language, it’s important to study different signing communities, as signs can vary even within the same country.
By now, you should have a good understanding of how to say “chair” in sign language, both formally and informally. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the signing community to become more proficient in this beautiful language. Happy signing!
