Hello and welcome! If you’re interested in learning how to express hobbies in American Sign Language (ASL), you’ve come to the right place. ASL is a beautiful and expressive language used by the Deaf and hard of hearing community in the United States and parts of Canada. In this guide, we will explore various ways to convey hobbies in ASL, both formally and informally. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
When learning how to talk about hobbies in a formal setting, it’s important to focus on proper sign structure and clarity. Here are a few common hobbies and their corresponding signs:
Sports
- Tennis: Form your non-dominant hand into a fist and hold it in front of you. With your dominant hand, make a ‘Y’ shape and mimic the motion of hitting a tennis ball.
- Swimming: Extend both arms forward and make a swimming motion with your hands.
- Soccer: Hold your non-dominant arm at a right angle, creating an ‘L’ shape in front of you. With your dominant hand, move it forward as if kicking a soccer ball.
Arts and Crafts
- Painting: Extend your non-dominant hand forward with an open palm. With your dominant hand, mimic the motion of brushing a paintbrush against your non-dominant hand.
- Knitting: Hold your non-dominant hand flat, palm up. With your dominant hand, make a knitting motion by using your index and middle fingers to loop an imaginary thread around your non-dominant hand’s fingers.
- Drawing: Hold an imaginary pencil with your dominant hand and mimic the motion of drawing on an invisible surface.
Music
- Singing: Place your dominant hand in front of your mouth, then move it forward and away from your face while making a singing motion.
- Guitar: Hold your non-dominant arm across your chest as if cradling a guitar. With your dominant hand, make a strumming motion using your index finger and thumb.
- Piano: Position your non-dominant hand flat, palm down, and orient it horizontally. With your dominant hand, mimic playing piano keys by tapping your non-dominant hand’s fingers.
Informal Expressions
When expressing hobbies informally, ASL users often resort to classifiers, depicting visual elements that represent the objects or activities associated with their hobbies. Here are some examples:
Cooking
For cooking-related hobbies, ASL users utilize classifiers to represent utensils and actions associated with specific recipes. For example, when signing about baking, one may use the classifier “bent-V” handshape to indicate holding a rolling pin and simulate rolling out dough on an imaginary surface.
Example: “Last weekend, I baked cookies for my friends. I rolled out the dough, cut shapes with cookie cutters, and then placed them in the oven to bake.”
Gardening
When discussing gardening hobbies, classifiers can be used to depict actions such as planting, watering, or pruning. One may use the “claw” or “bent-5” handshape to represent the act of digging or using gardening tools.
Example: “I love spending time in my garden. I plant flowers, water them every morning, and use pruning shears to trim the bushes.”
Photography
For photography enthusiasts, classifiers can be used to represent the camera and its movements. The “C” handshape is often used to show holding a camera, while the index finger may be extended to symbolize taking a photo.
Example: “During my vacation, I enjoyed exploring new places and capturing beautiful landscapes with my camera. I’d frame the shot, focus, and then capture the perfect moment.”
Regional Variations
In general, ASL has regional variations that may affect specific signs or signs used within certain communities. However, hobbies are widely understood and can be expressed similarly throughout most ASL communities. It’s always best to consult with local ASL speakers or resources to gain insights into any regional variations that may exist.
Final Tips
Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when learning and practicing ASL:
- Facial Expressions: ASL is not just about hand movements; facial expressions play a significant role in conveying meaning and emotion. Pay attention to facial cues while signing.
- Practice with Native Signers: Whenever possible, practice with native ASL users to improve fluency and understanding of proper sign usage.
- Cultural Awareness: Gain awareness and respect for Deaf culture. ASL is not just a language; it is an integral part of a unique cultural community.
We hope this guide provides you with a foundation for expressing hobbies in ASL. Remember to practice regularly and enjoy embracing the beauty of this visual language as you communicate about your interests and passions. Have fun!
