Month: November 2025

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OH I SEE

An essential part of communication is Listening, which includes the visual signals that you are paying attention and taking in the information. A subtle realization shown with direct eye contact, a nod, a hmm, or the sign OH I SEE.

My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of a Punk Clown with a shocked face illustrates the ASL hand sign for OH I SEE.

With a facial expression matching your feeling (like a shocked face to surprising information or a smiling face for good news), the Y hand is held up at an angle as the elbow bends, moving the arm up and down repeatedly, like nodding in agreement.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #oh-i-see #cartoon #clown #dictionary #myasldictionary

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SOMETHING TO SHARE

It took eight years to finish my American Sign Language Dictionary. What began as simple scribbles in textbooks gradually evolved into a collection of clear ASL images. Every cartoon marks this time progression with the EJM signature carrying the last two digits of the year of its illustration.

A good example of an early piece for comparison is this 2013 cartoon of a clown with broken hands in coloured gloves showing the ASL hand sign for SHARE. 

The flat hand moves back and forth across the index and thumb of the opposite hand, a visual for sharing a portion of something.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #share #clown #cartoon #dictionary #myasldictionary

The Clown’s right glove changes shades of blue in reference to the original still image, which had two right hands and used different colours to show motion.

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HANDYMAN

The Wrench is a symbol for Tools of Maintenance and Repair, and when flashing yellow on a car’s dashboard, it’s an urgent alert for a Mechanic.

My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of a Mechanic in an orange and blue uniform illustrates the ASL hand signs for WRENCH and MECHANIC.

The V hand twists on the opposite hand’s Index finger (or H hand) twice, like a wrench twisting torque on a fastener or tightening a pipe.

The ASL hand sign for Mechanic (or Plumber) blends the hand signs Wrench and Agent.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #wrench #mechanic #cartoon #plumber #dictionary #education #myasldictionary

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THE WORLD IN HIS HANDS

An Atlas is a stone carving of a male figure used as a column to support a Greek-style building, a reference to the Greek Titan Atlas, who was cursed to hold up the celestial globe (or, in later art pieces, the world itself).

My ASL Dictionary’s updated cartoon of a stone Atlas in a shirt and tie, illustrates the ASL hand sign for WORLD (the maps of Earth later appearing on his face and shirt).

The W hands circle each other in front of the chest, like tracing the orb of a planet.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #world #cartoon #dictionary #education #myasldictionary

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TIME TO CELEBRATE

Each day is a cause for celebration. Publishing and releasing my first book, My ASL Dictionary, after years spent in art design, research, illustration, and final production, is a great reason too.

My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of an ’80s Saturday Morning Cartoon Rockstar shows the ASL hand sign for CELEBRATE.

The X hands rotate in small circles by the side of the head, like waving flags at a gala.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #celebrate #celebration #cartoon #dictionary #education #tellwellpublishing #guelphpubliclibrary #Amazon #indigobooks #myasldictionary

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STANDING OVATION

Celebrating My ASL Dictionary, my first published book, becoming part of the Guelph Library’s catalogue, with animated applause.
My ASL Dictionary’s updated cartoon of a Doctor at a Party showing the ASL hand sign for DEAF APPLAUSE (with confetti and a chap clapping in the background afterwards).

The Flat hands in the air twist back and forth twice.

#asl #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #cartoon #applause #dictionary #tellwellpublishing #guelphpubliclibrary #myasldictionary

First posted June 10, 2022, in GIVE A BIG HAND, 

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CONGRATS

I’m thrilled to announce that as of November 17, 2025, My ASL Dictionary is now available in the Guelph Public Library System!
Three years ago, at an Edin Mills Writing Festival, I met children’s book author Kathleen Gauer, who advised me to get my published book into a library catalogue. This extra push was helpful in the challenges I faced in promoting a digital book instead of a physical copy.

To commend the hard work involved in becoming a library edition, and the credibility with that position, My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of myself in High School Graduate Robes and Gold Medals shows the ASL hand sign for CONGRATULATE.
(In the background, a screenshot of the book’s listing with The Guelph Library)

Both hands clasp each other, giving a firm shake back and forth in front of the chest.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #guelphpubliclibrary #tellwellpublishing #congratulate #kathleengauer #library #elizabethhurlbut #cartoon #education #myasldictionary

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SHY AWAY

Everyone experiences shyness, an emotion of inborn modesty that makes one nervous or timid in the company of others.
My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of a timid clown in a funny hat illustrates the ASL hand sign for SHY.

The bent hand, palm down, twists against the cheek until the palm faces back.

#asl #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #shy #clown #education #dictionary #myasldictionary

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WORLD DIABETES DAY

“Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.”
November 14, 1992, celebrates the birthday of Canadian pharmacologist, orthopedist, and field surgeon Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered Insulin with his partner, Dr. Charles Best.
For World Diabetes Day, My ASL Dictionary’s cartoon of Banting (with Insulin Needle) illustrating the ASL hand sign DIABETES. The Chronic Disease that affects more than half a billion people worldwide, including myself and my family.

Similar to the ASL hand sign for SWEET, the B hand, thumb out, and palm in brush down off the chin into the 15 handshape, a possible reference to sugar in the bloodstream no longer under control.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #banting #diabetes #cartoon #dictionary #worlddiabetesday #myasldictionary

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CONFUSING CONUNDRUM

When tackling any new experience or challenge, everything can feel confusing, bewildering, and perplexing.
My ASL Dictionary’s updated cartoon of a Clown in a jester outfit filled with question marks shows the ASL hand sign for CONFUSED.

With a confused face, the index finger to the temple lowers into two clawed hands that spin over each other in opposite directions twice. A visual for cloudy and mixed-up thoughts.

#ASL #americansignlanguage #signlanguage #confusion #mixedup #cartoon #dictionary #emotion #myasldictionary

This post also corrects the hand sign in the dictionary (which aptly is the hand sign for Confused). The Directions incorrectly list the hands as a clawed C shape instead of the Clawed 5 hand of the illustration. I also changed the facial expression from a smile to a look of confusion, which better fits the context.
My apologies for this error.

First posted February 7, 2025