Learning American Sign Language (ASL) allows us to communicate with the Deaf community and opens up a new world of connectivity. In ASL, understanding how to express emotions is crucial. If you want to express the emotion of fear or being scared, you need to know the appropriate signs. In this guide, we will explore formal and informal ways to say “scared” in ASL, with some useful tips and examples to enhance your learning experience.
Table of Contents
Formal Way to Say “Scared” in ASL
When learning ASL, it’s important to start with formal signs. These signs are commonly used in formal settings, such as educational institutions or professional gatherings.
1. ASL Sign for Scared
The formal ASL sign for “scared” involves signing the word “scared” with a facial expression and body movement that conveys the emotion. Here are the steps to do it:
- Place both of your hands in a claw-like shape, with your palms facing inward towards your body.
- Hold your hands out in front of you, with your arms slightly bent at the elbows.
- Squeeze your hands together, as if you’re tightly gripping something.
- While squeezing your hands, bring them towards your chest, emphasizing the scared feeling.
- Simultaneously, widen your eyes and slightly raise your eyebrows to enhance the facial expression of fear.
TIP: Remember that the intensity of the facial expression and body movement is crucial in conveying the emotion. Practice in front of a mirror to perfect the sign.
Mastering the formal sign for “scared” in ASL will allow you to effectively communicate your emotions in more professional or educational settings.
Informal Ways to Say “Scared” in ASL
Informal signs are more commonly used in casual settings among friends, family, or in everyday conversations. These signs may be simpler or have cultural variations.
1. Alternative Sign for Scared
In informaL ASL, there is an alternative sign for “scared” that can be used interchangeably with the formal sign. Here are the steps to do it:
- Place both palms flat against your chest, with your fingers pointing upwards.
- Using a quick, jerking motion, pull your hands away from your chest, as if you’re abruptly removing something from it.
- While pulling your hands away, widen your eyes and slightly raise your eyebrows to add emphasis to the sign.
2. Regional Variations
ASL can have regional variations where certain signs or expressions differ from place to place. However, for the sign “scared,” there aren’t significant regional variations. The formal and informal signs described above are widely understood across the ASL community nationally.
3. Context Matters
When signing “scared” in ASL, it’s important to remember that context matters. The way you sign or express the emotion may vary based on the situation, intensity, or the extent of fear you want to convey. Modulate your facial expressions, sign size, and body movements accordingly.
Examples
To better understand how to sign “scared” in ASL, let’s look at some examples:
Example 1: If you want to describe being scared during a horror movie, you can sign: “MOVIE SCARY, I SCARE.”
Example 2: To convey that a sudden loud noise startled you, you can sign: “NOISE LOUD, ME SCARE JUMP.”
TIP: Body language and facial expressions play a significant role in ASL. Pair your signing with appropriate facial expressions to effectively communicate your emotions.
Remember that regular practice, exposure to the Deaf community, and taking ASL classes or workshops will greatly enhance your ability to sign emotions such as “scared” naturally and fluently in ASL.
Learning ASL is not just about acquiring signs; it’s also about gaining a deep appreciation for the Deaf community and their language. By learning to express emotions like “scared” in ASL, you are practicing inclusivity, fostering understanding, and breaking down communication barriers.
Now that you have a solid understanding of how to say “scared” in ASL, why not expand your knowledge further by exploring other emotions and phrases in this beautiful, expressive language?
