Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to express someone’s age in American Sign Language (ASL). Whether you’re a beginner or have some ASL knowledge, we’ll explore the formal and informal ways to communicate someone’s age. Additionally, we’ll provide tips, examples, and discuss regional variations when necessary. So, let’s dive in and enhance your signing skills!
Table of Contents
Formal Way to Ask Someone’s Age
When it comes to asking someone’s age in a formal setting or when you want to be more polite, you can use the following phrase in ASL:
How old you?
In this sentence, you would sign “how” by raising your eyebrows and then extend your dominant hand in the direction of the person you are addressing. The sign for “old” is made by forming an “O” shape with your non-dominant hand, while your dominant hand points towards it. Finally, the sign for “you” is made by pointing directly at the person you are referring to.
Remember to maintain eye contact and use appropriate facial expressions to show respect and sincerity when asking this question.
Informal Way to Ask Someone’s Age
In casual or informal situations, such as chatting with friends or family, you can use a more relaxed phrase to inquire about someone’s age:
How old?
With this phrase, you would sign “how” as described above and then move your dominant hand to begin tracing an arc from left to right in front of your body, representing the passing of time. It’s as if you are asking, “How many years have passed?”
This informal method is commonly used among friends and peers, but it’s essential to be aware of the context and the relationship you have with the person you’re speaking to. Always adjust your signing style accordingly.
Responses to the Question
Once you have asked someone’s age in ASL, you can learn various responses to express their age. Here are a few examples:
1. “I am [number] years old.”
When providing your own age, you can say:
I [number] years old.
For instance, if you are 25 years old, you would sign “I” followed by the number 25 using the appropriate handshape for each digit. Then, complete the sentence by signing “years old.”
2. “He/She is [number] years old.”
If you are talking about someone else’s age, you would sign:
He/She [number] years old.
Let’s say you want to express that your sister is 12 years old. Firstly, sign “she” by using an open handshape and pointing towards her. Then, sign the number 12 and complete the sentence with “years old.”
3. “They are [number] years old.”
When referring to multiple people and their ages, use the following sentence structure:
They [number] years old.
For example, if you want to say “They are 30 years old,” sign “they” using a flat handshape, followed by the number 30 with the appropriate handshape for each digit, and conclude with “years old.”
Tips for Fluent Signing
Here are some valuable tips to help you improve your ASL signing skills:
1. Facial Expressions Matter
Remember to accompany your signs with appropriate facial expressions to convey the intended meaning and emotions. Facial expressions are an integral part of ASL and help provide additional context to your signs.
2. Practice Fingerspelling Numbers
Fingerspelling numbers is crucial for accurately expressing someone’s age. Regularly practice your finger spelling skills to ensure you can fluently sign any number quickly and clearly.
3. Utilize ASL Resources
Take advantage of online video tutorials, ASL dictionaries, and other resources to expand your vocabulary, perfect your signing techniques, and improve your understanding of ASL grammar and structure.
4. Immerse Yourself in Deaf Culture
Engage with the Deaf community, if possible, to enhance your understanding of signing styles, regional variations, and cultural nuances associated with ASL. Immersion is an excellent way to enrich your signing skills.
Regional Variations
ASL may have some regional variations in signs or phrases used for indicating age, just like any other language. Therefore, it’s advisable to research local Deaf communities or seek guidance from local ASL teachers to learn about any specific regional variations in your area.
Remember, it’s always valuable to learn from individuals who are Deaf or have extensive experience with ASL as they can provide unique insights and understanding of cultural and regional aspects.
By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you’ll become more proficient in signing someone’s age in ASL. Remember always to maintain respect, use appropriate facial expressions, and adjust your signing style based on the context to ensure effective communication.
Start incorporating these tips into your practice sessions, and before you know it, you’ll be signing with confidence and fluency. Enjoy your ASL journey and continue exploring the beauty of this vibrant visual language!
