ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "Happy New Year!" in American Sign Language (ASL), combine three signs: "HAPPY" (flat hands brush up chest twice), "NEW" (curved hand scoops across flat palm), and "YEAR" (S-hands circle around each other). Express with joyful facial expression and celebratory energy.
📖 Word definition
A greeting or expression of good wishes for the beginning of a new calendar year, typically used during New Year celebrations.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide
- Hand Shape: HAPPY: flat hands; NEW: curved hand over flat palm; YEAR: S-handshapes (fists).
- Starting Position: Begin with hands at chest level for "happy," then transition smoothly between signs.
- Movement: HAPPY: brush up chest twice; NEW: scoop motion across palm; YEAR: circular motion around each other.
- Path: Flow naturally from chest to neutral space, maintaining smooth transitions between each word.
- Hand Orientation: Palms face body for "happy," then adjust orientation for each subsequent sign.
- Facial Expression: Bright, joyful smile throughout entire phrase showing celebration and excitement.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid
❌ Rushing through signs: Take time to clearly articulate each word separately.
❌ Flat expression: Show genuine happiness and celebration in your face.
❌ Wrong "new" handshape: Use curved hand, not flat hand for scooping motion.
❌ Incomplete "year" circles: Make full circular motions with both S-hands.
💬 Common Sentence Examples
"Happy New Year to everyone!"
How to sign: Sign "happy new year" → sign "to" (index finger points forward) → sign "everyone" (E hand sweeps in arc motion covering group).
"We celebrate Happy New Year together."
How to sign: Sign "we" (index finger points to self then others) → sign "celebrate" (index fingers make small circles) → sign "happy new year" → sign "together" (A hands come together).
"Happy New Year brings good luck."
How to sign: Sign "happy new year" → sign "bring" (flat hands pull toward body) → sign "good" (flat hand touches chin then moves forward) → sign "luck" (middle finger flicks off thumb).