Welcome to our guide on how to say “Hello, How are you?” in Makaton! Makaton is a unique language program that combines signs, symbols, and speech to aid communication for individuals with speech and language difficulties. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to greet someone in Makaton, and provide tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary.
Table of Contents
Formal Greetings
Formal greetings are typically used when addressing someone you don’t know well or in professional settings. Here’s how you can say “Hello, How are you?” formally in Makaton:
Greeting Sign: Hello
To sign “hello” in Makaton, extend your dominant hand towards the person you are greeting, palm up, and gently shake it back and forth a couple of times. This sign can be accompanied by a warm smile.
Question Sign: How are you?
To sign “How are you?” in Makaton, use your dominant hand and make a gentle sweeping motion from your chin downward, parallel to your body. This sign represents asking about someone’s well-being.
Response Sign: I’m good, thank you
To respond to the question “How are you?” with “I’m good, thank you” in Makaton, use your dominant hand and gently tap your chest twice, showing a thumbs-up sign, and then extend your hand forward as if saying “thank you.”
Informal Greetings
Informal greetings are generally used with friends, family, or people you are familiar with. Let’s discover how to greet someone informally in Makaton:
Greeting Sign: Hi or Hey
To sign “hi” or “hey” informally in Makaton, raise your hand in a relaxed manner and give a small wave while smiling. This sign is a friendly way to say hello to someone you know well or in casual settings.
Question Sign: How are you?
The sign for “How are you?” in informal settings remains the same as in formal greetings. Use your dominant hand and make a gentle sweeping motion from your chin downward, parallel to your body.
Response Sign: I’m good, thanks
In a casual setting, you can similarly respond to “How are you?” with “I’m good, thanks” in Makaton by tapping your chest twice, giving a thumbs-up sign, and nodding your head slightly.
Tips for Using Makaton
Here are some tips to ensure effective communication when using Makaton:
1. Maintain Eye Contact
While signing in Makaton, it’s important to maintain eye contact with the person you are communicating with. This helps establish a connection and allows for better understanding.
2. Use Clear Facial Expressions
Facial expressions play a vital role in Makaton communication. Use a warm and friendly facial expression to convey your emotions and intentions clearly.
3. Sign at a Comfortable Pace
Make sure to sign at a pace that the person you are communicating with can comfortably follow. Allow them enough time to process the signs and respond.
4. Repeat and Clarify if Needed
Don’t hesitate to repeat signs or clarify your message if the person you are communicating with seems unsure or requests further clarification.
Examples of Makaton Greetings
Formal Conversation Example:
Person A: Hello, how are you? (Signs “hello” and “how are you?”)
Person B: I’m good, thank you. (Signs “I’m good, thank you”)
Person A: That’s great to hear! How about you? (Signs “That’s great to hear” and “How about you?”)
Person B: I’m doing well too. (Signs “I’m doing well too”)
Informal Conversation Example:
Person A: Hey, how are you doing? (Signs “hi” and “how are you?”)
Person B: I’m good, thanks. (Signs “I’m good, thanks”)
Person A: Awesome! Anything exciting happening? (Signs “Awesome” and “Anything exciting happening?”)
Person B: Not much, just relaxing. (Signs “Not much, just relaxing”)
Makaton Variations
Makaton is widely used throughout many regions, but it’s worth noting that there might be variations in signs across different areas. If you are interacting with individuals from specific regions, it can be helpful to learn the local variations of signs.
In Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to say “Hello, How are you?” formally and informally in Makaton. Remember to be patient, maintain a warm and inviting tone, and consider the specific needs of the individuals you are communicating with. With practice, using Makaton will become easier and help foster effective communication and understanding among people of all abilities.
