Learning American Sign Language (ASL) allows you to communicate with the Deaf community effectively. Whether you want to enhance your sign language skills or simply have an interest in understanding ASL, it’s essential to know how to say days of the week in ASL. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn the formal and informal ways of signing the days in ASL, along with some useful tips and examples.
Table of Contents
Formal Way to Say Days in ASL
The formal way of signing the days of the week in ASL involves using specific handshapes and movements. Each day has a distinct sign, which makes it easier to understand and remember. Here is a list of the formal signs for each day of the week:
- Sunday: Place your index finger on your chin and then move your hand in a circular motion twice.
- Monday: Hold up your dominant “M” handshape near your forehead, slightly tilted.
- Tuesday: Extend your index and middle fingers on both hands and cross them in front of your chest, moving your hands slightly to the right.
- Wednesday: Similar to Tuesday, but move your hands slightly to the left instead.
- Thursday: Hold out your non-dominant “A” handshape, and with your dominant “V” handshape, tap your thumb gently against your palm twice.
- Friday: Make a fist with both hands and tap your non-dominant fist with your dominant fist twice.
- Saturday: Hold up your open non-dominant hand, palm facing up, and with your dominant “S” handshape, trace a small circle on your non-dominant palm.
Informal Way to Say Days in ASL
While the formal way of signing the days in ASL is commonly used, the informal way may vary among individuals and regions. Informal signs for days often involve abbreviations or slightly modified versions of the formal signs. Here are some common informal ways to say the days of the week in ASL:
- Sunday: Use a modified version of the formal sign where you simply make a downward circular motion with your dominant hand.
- Monday: Use the formal sign but with a faster movement.
- Tuesday: Sign the letter “T” with your dominant hand and move it slightly to the right.
- Wednesday: Sign the letter “W” with your dominant hand and move it slightly to the left.
- Thursday: Use the same formal sign, but instead of tapping your thumb twice, tap it once or omit the tapping altogether.
- Friday: A modified version of the formal sign is often used, where you tap your dominant fist against your non-dominant fist once.
- Saturday: Instead of tracing a circle on your non-dominant palm, simply wave your dominant “S” handshape over your non-dominant palm.
Examples and Tips
To help you further understand and practice signing the days of the week in ASL, here are some example sentences and additional tips:
Example Sentences:
1. “Last Monday I went to the movies with my friends.”
2. “What are you doing on Friday night?”
– Practice signing the days in front of a mirror to ensure your handshapes and movements are accurate.
– When signing the days, maintain a relaxed and natural handshape. Avoid excessive rigidity or tension in your hands.
– Feel free to adapt the signs to your personal preference or the regional variation you are comfortable with, as long as the message is clear to the intended recipient.
– To solidify your understanding, watch videos or attend ASL classes where Deaf individuals sign the days of the week.
Remember, learning ASL goes beyond knowing how to sign individual words. It involves understanding the grammar, facial expressions, and cultural aspects of the language. Practice regularly and immerse yourself in the Deaf community to become more fluent in ASL.
