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INCOMPETENCE

Covering Knowledge and Ability, the handsign for having neither. A cartoon of the character infamous for his comedy of errors while solving Crimes by dumb luck alone, Inspector Gadget (in disguise) illustrates the ASL hand sign for INCOMPETENT and INEPT.
The thumb of the C hand is inserted into the opposite S hand. C hand then twists up from wrist into open 5 hand, a suggestion of the thickness of one’s skull.
#ASL #Americansignlanguage #signlanguage #cartoon #incompetent #myasldictionary

The Inspector is holding a Telephone Shoe as a reference to the TV. show Get Smart, as actor Don Adams played both Maxell Smart and Inspector Gadget, the previous role inspiring the voice of the other.

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CURIOUS CATS

When deciding what character to show curiosity, I chose the animal most known for that trait. In 2019, Cats, the film based on a Broadway show, based on a book of cat poetry, was released in theatres. Inspired by the production’s costumes, both in digital and in fabric, I drew an anthropomorphic cat with white gloves instead of paws to show the ASL hand sign for CURIOUS.
The thumb and Index finger of F hand at the throat twists up and down twice, like pulling the neck forward in curiosity.
In addition to the CURIOUS from the Dictionary, I added a Second Cat to show a Canadian variant of the hand sign. Two Practical Cats instead of One.
The thumb and index finger of F hand taps twice on the front neck.
#ASL #signlanguage #Americansignlanguage #curious #cartoon #myasldictionary

 

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WEDDING BELLS

Accompanied by festivities with family and friends, the Marriage ceremony that joins two loves.
A smiling Husband (my ASL Dictionary has Several) shows the ASL hand sign for WEDDING, the words in English rolled out on the Wedding Invitation Scroll. Hands held apart arc upwards and together in front of the chest, like the couple’s hands coming together. For right-handed signers, this shows off the ring finger.
#ASL #Americansignlanguage #signlanguage #wedding #cartoon #myasldictionary

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MY SWEETHEART

The endearing term for the romantic partner you share your heart with. From My ASL Dictionary, a young woman in a pink sundress and hat, with a yellow ribbon on her arm (to tie around the ole oak tree for her love’s return), shows the ASL hand sign for SWEETHEART.
Two 10 hands held together over the chest, the thumbs move up and down twice, like a beating heart.
Similar to the hand sign for ROMANCE.
#ASL #Americansignlanguage #signlanguage #sweetheart #cartoon #myasldictionary

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ROMANTIC AT HEART

Love can be a flood of Romance, the heart-skipping rush of excitement and mystery. My Dictionary’s Handsome Groom steps out of the book for a brand new illustration, showing one of the ASL hand signs for ROMANCE, a flash of a heart appearing under his fingers.
Two A hands held together over the heart, the thumbs flex and extend up and down, like a racing heartbeat.
Similar to the hand sign for SWEETHEART.
#ASL #Americansignlanguage #signlanguage #romance #cartoon #myasldictionary

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LOVE AND MARRIAGE

Two Loves in a Romantic Lifetime Commitment, joined by an official or religious ceremony recognized by Law. From the pages of My ASL Dictionary, a Bride in her Wedding Gown shows the ASL hand sign for MARRY, MARRIAGE and MARRIED. The extended C hands are clasped together, like the two ringed hands joined in marriage.
#ASL #Americansignlanguage #signlanguage #marriage #cartoon #myasldictionary

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BACK IN BLACK

After posting My Dictionary’s hand signs for Colours last year, I noticed the post for Black was missing. Going back to the original file, I reposted the hand sign and updated the other colours of the spectrum to match.
Seen in shadows, darkness, and the sum of all colours, a mime dressed in the colour scheme of his profession shows the ASL hand sign for the Colour BLACK.
The straight Index finger is drawn across the temple, like a unibrow.
#ASL #Americansignlanguage #signlanguage #black #mime #cartoon #myasldictionary

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MATTERS

While my education in American Sign Language came from ASL teachers, not all the lessons were from a classroom. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people from Canada and the United States took to the streets under the rallying cry, Black Lives Matter. During these protests, I first saw the ASL hand sign variant for Matter, which my ASL teachers later confirmed. To acknowledge this out-of-class lesson, I made a young Protestor for Black Lives Matter (wearing a protective face mask) to illustrate the ASL hand sign for MATTER and CHERISH.
Spread open O hands, palm in, are pulled down under the chin, closing into S hands, like holding something deep in value close.
#ASL #AmericanSignLanguage #signlanguage #blacklivesmatter
#covid19 #matter #cartoon #myasldictionary

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HEART BEAT

Before my Handsome Medical Doctor was dressed in a black suit to illustrate the ASL hand sign for TOUCHED and HEARTWARMING, my ASL Dictionary had him in his work clothes showing for the ASL hand sign for HEART, the vital organ that beats in us all.
Pointing to the heart’s location, the bent middle finger of the 5 hand taps the chest twice, like a beating heart.
#ASL #AmericanSignLanguage #signlanguage #heart #cartoon #myasldictionary

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HEART TOUCHING

February’s Month of Love ends with my ASL Dictionary’s hand sign for being emotionally swept away by the moment. Moved to tears, a Handsome young Doctor from a Medical Drama shows the ASL hand sign for TOUCHED.
In a quick single movement, the bent middle finger of the 5 hand pokes the chest once, like an arrow striking the heart.
#ASL #AmericanSignLanguage #signlanguage #touched #touching #cartoon #myasldictionary