ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "Don't Know" in American Sign Language (ASL), use your dominant hand in a flat handshape starting at your forehead, then flip it outward and down while shaking your head slightly, expressing uncertainty or lack of knowledge.
📖 Word definition
To express that one lacks information, understanding, or awareness about something; to indicate uncertainty or ignorance about a particular subject or situation.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide
- Hand Shape: Dominant hand in flat handshape with fingers together and extended.
- Starting Position: Hand touches or is near the forehead/temple area, palm facing inward.
- Movement: Flip hand outward and downward in one smooth motion away from head.
- Path: Arc motion from forehead outward, ending with palm facing up or forward.
- Hand Orientation: Starts palm inward, ends palm up/forward showing emptiness.
- Facial Expression: Slight head shake, raised eyebrows, and questioning expression showing uncertainty.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid
❌ No head movement: Include slight head shake to emphasize the negative aspect.
❌ Wrong starting position: Hand must start at or near the forehead, not floating in space.
❌ Stiff movement: Use smooth, natural flip motion, not robotic or choppy.
❌ Missing facial expression: Show uncertainty with raised eyebrows and questioning look.
💬 Common Sentence Examples
"I don't know where he went."
How to sign: Point to self ("I") → sign "don't know" (hand flip from forehead) → sign "where" (index finger wiggle) → sign "he" (point to side) → sign "go" (index fingers point and move away).
"She doesn't know the answer."
How to sign: Point to side ("she") → sign "don't know" → sign "answer" (index fingers alternate pointing up from mouth area).
"Do you know? I don't know."
How to sign: Point forward ("you") → sign "know" (fingers tap temple) → questioning expression → point to self ("I") → sign "don't know" (hand flip from forehead).