ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "NOT" in American Sign Language (ASL), place your thumb under your chin with fingers extended, then move your hand forward and away from your face in a quick, decisive motion.
📖 Word definition
Used to express negation, denial, or refusal; indicating the absence or opposite of something.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide
- Hand Shape: Dominant hand in "A" handshape with thumb extended out.
- Starting Position: Thumb placed under the chin, fingers pointing forward.
- Movement: Quick, sharp movement forward and slightly downward away from chin.
- Path: Straight line motion from chin outward, about 6-8 inches.
- Hand Orientation: Palm faces down, thumb maintains contact with chin initially.
- Facial Expression: Firm, decisive expression with slight head shake for emphasis.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid
❌ Slow movement: Use quick, sharp motion to show strong negation.
❌ Wrong hand position: Thumb must start under chin, not beside it.
❌ Weak gesture: Movement should be decisive and clear, not hesitant.
❌ Missing facial expression: Include firm expression and slight head shake.
💬 Common Sentence Examples
"I am not hungry."
How to sign: Point to self ("I") → sign "not" (thumb under chin, move forward) → sign "hungry" (C hand pulls down chest).
"The store is not open."
How to sign: Sign "store" (flat hands shake) → sign "not" → sign "open" (flat hands separate upward from closed position).
"She does not like coffee."
How to sign: Point to her ("she") → sign "not" → sign "like" (thumb and middle finger on chest, pull away) → sign "coffee" (S hands grind motion).