ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "COUGH" in American Sign Language (ASL), use your dominant hand in a loose fist shape positioned at your chest, then make quick bouncing movements while tilting your head slightly forward, representing the action of coughing.
📖 Word definition
To expel air from the lungs suddenly with a harsh sound, often in an effort to remove an irritant from the respiratory tract.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide
- Hand Shape: Dominant hand in loose fist or "S" handshape.
- Starting Position: Hand positioned at center of chest, knuckles facing outward.
- Movement: Make 2-3 quick bouncing movements toward and away from chest.
- Path: Short, repetitive forward and back motions from the chest area.
- Hand Orientation: Knuckles face forward, thumb side toward chest.
- Facial Expression: Slight grimace, head tilted forward slightly, showing discomfort.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid
❌ Wrong location: Sign at chest, not throat or mouth area.
❌ Too smooth: Use quick, jerky movements to show coughing action.
❌ Open hand: Keep hand in fist shape, not flat palm.
❌ Single motion: Repeat the bouncing movement 2-3 times.
💬 Common Sentence Examples
"I have a bad cough."
How to sign: Point to yourself ("I") → sign "have" (both hands to chest) → sign "bad" (fingers flick away from mouth) → sign "cough" (fist bouncing at chest).
"The medicine stops coughing."
How to sign: Sign "medicine" (M hand circles on palm) → sign "stop" (flat hand hits palm) → sign "cough" (repeated fist bouncing motion).
"Please cover when you cough."
How to sign: Sign "please" (flat hand circles chest) → sign "cover" (one hand covers other) → sign "when" (index fingers circle, touch) → sign "you" (point forward) → sign "cough".