ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "AFTER" in American Sign Language (ASL), use your dominant hand in a flat handshape to move past your non-dominant hand, which remains stationary in front of your body, representing the concept of something happening later in time.
📖 Word definition
Following in time or place; subsequent to; later than a particular time, event, or action.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide
- Hand Shape: Non-dominant hand in flat handshape, dominant hand in flat handshape.
- Starting Position: Non-dominant hand stationary in front of body, palm facing right; dominant hand behind it.
- Movement: Dominant hand moves forward past the non-dominant hand.
- Path: Straight forward motion, clearly passing beyond the stationary hand.
- Hand Orientation: Both palms face the same direction (right for right-handed signers).
- Facial Expression: Neutral, with slight emphasis on the forward movement.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid
❌ Moving both hands: Keep non-dominant hand completely still as reference point.
❌ Wrong direction: Move forward past the hand, not sideways or backward.
❌ Curved handshape: Use flat handshapes, not curved or bent fingers.
❌ Too subtle movement: Make sure the dominant hand clearly passes beyond the stationary hand.
💬 Common Sentence Examples
"After school, I go home."
How to sign: Sign "after" (flat hand moves past stationary hand) → sign "school" (clap hands twice) → sign "I" (point to self) → sign "go" (index fingers point and move forward) → sign "home" (fingertips touch at mouth, then at temple).
"We eat dinner after work."
How to sign: Sign "we" (point to self, then sweep to include others) → sign "eat" (bring fingers to mouth) → sign "dinner" (eat + night) → sign "after" → sign "work" (fists tap together).
"Call me after 5 o'clock."
How to sign: Sign "call" (Y handshape at ear) → sign "me" (point to self) → sign "after" → sign "5" (show five fingers) → sign "o'clock" (tap wrist for time).