Learning how to say the days of the week in sign language can be both fun and useful. Whether you are interested in American Sign Language (ASL) or if you want to communicate with a friend or family member who is hearing impaired, knowing the signs for the days of the week can help enhance your communication skills. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to express the days of the week in sign language. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Signs for Days of the Week
When using formal sign language, the signs for the days of the week typically involve spelling out each letter of the day. Here are the formal signs for each day:
- Monday: Make a “M” handshape by holding your thumb against your fingers and touch your chin with the side of your hand, just below the jawline. Move your hand downward slightly.
- Tuesday: Hold your hand flat and touch your thumb on the side of your forehead. Move your hand away from your forehead, flicking your thumb away as you do.
- Wednesday: Extend your index finger and middle finger and touch them to your chin. Close your fingers together as you move your hand downwards.
- Thursday: Hold your hand up, palm facing your face, with your thumb extended and touching your fingers. Rotate your thumb slightly while moving your hand away from your face.
- Friday: Make a “F” handshape by holding your thumb against your fingers and touch the tip of your index finger to your forehead. Move your hand forward slightly, away from your forehead.
- Saturday: Extend your index finger and middle finger and place them against your palm. Then, fold your fingers down towards your palm.
- Sunday: Touch your index finger to your lips, then bring your hand down, extending your thumb and middle finger while closing your other fingers.
Informal Signs for Days of the Week
Informal signs for the days of the week may vary depending on the regional sign language used or personal preferences. In informal settings, individuals often use simplified signs that are easier to remember and quicker to execute. Here are some common informal signs for the days of the week:
- Monday: Hold your arm out, palm down, and tap the front of your forearm with your other hand’s index finger.
- Tuesday: Hold up two fingers of your dominant hand and Tap your cheek twice with those fingers.
- Wednesday: Pinch the index finger and middle finger of your dominant hand together and touch your cheek while moving your hand slightly forward.
- Thursday: Hold out your non-dominant hand, palm down, and tap the fingertips of your dominant hand against the palm of your non-dominant hand twice.
- Friday: Extend your pinky finger of your dominant hand, like making the letter “P” in ASL, and move it in a circular motion in front of your chest.
- Saturday: Hold your arm out in front of you, palm down, and move it up and down a few times.
- Sunday: Touch your lips with the index finger of your dominant hand and then bring the hand down while extending your thumb and pinky finger.
Tips for Learning and Using Sign Language
When learning and using sign language, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind:
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any language, practice is crucial for becoming fluent in sign language. Regularly practicing the signs will help you remember them and improve your communication skills.
- Watch Videos: There are numerous online resources like YouTube that offer videos demonstrating sign language. Watching these videos can help you perfect your technique and learn new signs more easily.
- Find a Partner: Practice sign language with a partner who can give you feedback and help you improve. This can be a friend, family member, or even someone from a local deaf community.
- Be Respectful: When communicating with someone who uses sign language, be attentive, patient, and respectful. It’s essential to maintain eye contact and give the person your undivided attention.
Conclusion
Learning how to say the days of the week in sign language can be a rewarding experience. Whether you choose to use the formal or informal signs, practicing and regularly engaging with sign language will help you develop your communication skills. Remember to be patient with yourself and others as you learn, and don’t forget to have fun along the way! So, go ahead, start practicing those signs, and open up a whole new world of communication opportunities.
