Idioms are phrases that have figurative rather than literal meanings. They may compare two dissimilar things to mean something else entirely. They commonly appear in most languages as peculiar and eccentric additions but may not be commonly understood by everyone.
Idioms occur plentifully in American Sign Language (ASL) as well, and they have some of the following features:
- ASL idioms may or may not be deviations of idioms or words found in the English language.
- ASL idioms are expressed with signs and facial expressions.
- ASL idioms can contain single or compound signs as well as entire phrases.
The word or phrase in bold is an ASL idiom followed by an English translation and a description of the sign.
1. Train-Gone/Train-Go-Sorry - You have missed the boat.
Hold your arms before you at slightly under chin level with the index fingers of both hands extended. Hold the left hand with the index finger and thumb pointing to the right with the other fingers curled close. Hold the right hand on top of the left hand with the right thumb resting on the extended left index finger and the right index finger pointing upwards. Move the right hand away bringing together the right index finger and right thumb in a pinching motion with the left hand kept in the same position.
2. Cigarette-Gone - You have missed the boat.
Same sign. Except you rest the right index finger and the right small finger on the left hand.
3. Finish-Touch - Been there. Done that.
Hold your hands before you with the palms facing upward and the fingers open wide. Turn your palms inwards towards each other and then facing away outward from you. This is the sign for Finish. Now you make the sign for Touch by by holding your left hand with the palm facing downward at chest level and then dropping the third finger of the right hand on top of it.
4. Mind-Frozen - Hard to think.
Touch your temple with your right index finger and hold the left hand fingers separated and facing downward held loosely before you. Move your right and left hands downward simultaneously with the fingers curled in a slightly claw-like position.
5. Think-Disappear - It slipped my mind.
Hold the right index finger up against your forehead and hold your left palm, fingers close together and palm downward, in front of it at the midpoint of the right index finger. Bring the right index finger down while keeping the left hand in the same position.
6. Angry-Me - I'm furious.
Curl the fingers of both hands into claws and, with hands held at the stomach, pull up in a ripping motion. You can also hold your right hand before your face and curl the fingers in clawing motion. In both cases, have a suitably angry expression.
For more ASL idioms, please continue to page two of this article.