ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "CAN'T" in American Sign Language (ASL), use your dominant hand in an index finger handshape to strike down against your non-dominant hand's index finger, representing the concept of inability or impossibility.
📖 Word definition
Cannot; to be unable to do something; expressing impossibility or lack of ability.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide
- Hand Shape: Both hands use index finger handshape (pointing finger extended, other fingers closed).
- Starting Position: Non-dominant hand index finger points up, dominant hand index finger positioned above it.
- Movement: Dominant hand strikes down against the non-dominant index finger with a sharp, definitive motion.
- Path: Quick downward strike, creating contact between the two index fingers.
- Hand Orientation: Non-dominant finger points up, dominant finger strikes down at angle.
- Facial Expression: Slightly negative expression, showing frustration or impossibility.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid
❌ Weak contact: Make firm contact between fingers to show definitiveness.
❌ Wrong handshape: Use index fingers only, not open hands or fists.
❌ Slow movement: Strike should be quick and decisive, not slow.
❌ Missing facial expression: Show slight negative emotion to match the meaning.
💬 Common Sentence Examples
"I can't drive."
How to sign: Point to yourself ("I") → sign "can't" (index finger strike) → sign "drive" (hands gripping steering wheel motion).
"She can't hear."
How to sign: Point to her ("she") → sign "can't" → sign "hear" (index finger pointing to ear).
"We can't go tomorrow."
How to sign: Sign "we" (index finger sweeping between you and others) → sign "can't" → sign "go" (index fingers pointing forward) → sign "tomorrow" (thumb on cheek, move forward).