ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "LAUGHING" in American Sign Language (ASL), use both hands with index fingers extended, starting at the corners of your mouth and moving upward in a bouncing motion while showing genuine laughter on your face.
📖 Word definition
The action of making sounds and facial expressions that express amusement, joy, or mirth; showing happiness through vocal and physical expressions.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide
- Hand Shape: Both hands in "1" handshape (index finger extended, other fingers closed).
- Starting Position: Index fingers placed at the corners of your mouth.
- Movement: Move both hands upward in small bouncing motions away from face.
- Path: Create rhythmic bouncing movement that mimics the physical act of laughing.
- Hand Orientation: Fingers point toward your face initially, then move outward.
- Facial Expression: Show genuine laughter with smile, squinted eyes, and happy expression.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid
❌ Serious face: Must show actual laughter and joy in facial expression.
❌ Wrong handshape: Use index finger only, not open hands or other shapes.
❌ Static movement: Add bouncing motion to show the rhythm of laughter.
❌ Wrong starting point: Begin at mouth corners, not cheeks or chin.
💬 Common Sentence Examples
"She is laughing loudly."
How to sign: Sign "she" (point to female person) → sign "laughing" (index fingers bounce from mouth corners) → sign "loud" (index finger at ear, then shake hand outward).
"The joke made me laugh."
How to sign: Sign "joke" (J hand brushes nose twice) → sign "made" (S hands stack and twist) → sign "me" (point to self) → sign "laugh" (past tense version with quick motion).
"Children laughing together."
How to sign: Sign "children" (pat head height with flat hand) → sign "laughing" (bouncing finger motion) → sign "together" (A hands come together in circular motion).