In the realm of expressive and intricate communication, American Sign Language (ASL) emerges as a vibrant language that allows individuals to convey their thoughts, ideas, and emotions through the graceful movements of their hands and bodies. Among the many words that make up the tapestry of ASL, “at” occupies a significant position. Understanding how to convey “at” in ASL unlocks doors to meaningful conversations and deepens your appreciation for this captivating language.
The gesture for “at” in ASL is deceptively simple yet remarkably evocative. Performed with the dominant hand, the index finger extends outwards, forming a straight line. The hand remains stationary, held at chest height, with the palm facing downwards. To convey the concept of “at,” the index finger points towards the desired location or object. This subtle yet precise gesture allows individuals to pinpoint a specific place or time without the need for spoken words. Additionally, the hand can be moved in a circular motion to indicate a general location or area. The beauty of ASL lies in its ability to convey spatial relationships with clarity and elegance.
Incorporating the gesture for “at” into your ASL vocabulary opens up a world of expressive possibilities. You can indicate the time of an appointment by pointing to the appropriate hour on an imaginary clock, or specify the location of a meeting by pointing in the direction of the venue. By combining the gesture for “at” with other signs, you can create complex sentences that convey a wealth of information with astonishing brevity. For instance, the combination of “HOME” and “AT” signifies “at home,” while “SCHOOL” and “AT” together translate to “at school.” The versatility of the “at” gesture makes it an indispensable tool for effective ASL communication, allowing you to navigate social interactions, convey directions, and share your experiences with others.
Understanding the Basics of ASL
American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete and natural language that uses visual-gestural communication. It is used by deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States and Canada and is recognized as an official language in several states and provinces.
Understanding the basics of ASL involves learning the alphabet, numbers, and basic signs. The ASL alphabet is similar to the English alphabet, but with a few modifications.
To learn the ASL alphabet, it is helpful to practice the following steps:
- Start by learning a few letters at a time. Focus on the handshape, location, and movement associated with each letter.
- Practice writing the letters in the air or on paper. This will help you to improve your muscle memory and accuracy.
- Use the alphabet to spell out words and phrases. This will help you to practice your ASL fluency and comprehension.
- Watch videos and tutorials to improve your understanding of ASL grammar and syntax. This will help you to use ASL effectively in real-life situations.
Once you have a basic understanding of the ASL alphabet, you can start learning numbers and basic signs. Numbers are signed using a combination of handshapes and movements. Basic signs represent common words and phrases, such as “hello,” “thank you,” and “I love you.”
| Letter | Handshape | Location | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Closed fist | Chest | Up and down |
| B | Open hand with thumb extended | Chin | Up and down |
| C | Closed fist with thumb extended | Side of face | Up and down |
| Variation | Description |
|---|---|
| Formal “at” sign | This sign is made by holding the “A” handshape in front of the body and moving it up and down. |
| Emphatic “at” sign | This sign is made by holding the “A” handshape in front of the body and shaking it from side to side. |
| Directional “at” sign | This sign is made by holding the “A” handshape in front of the body and pointing it in the direction of the desired location. |
Using “At” in Sentences
When signing “at,” the dominant hand forms an index finger and points outward. The hand moves quickly towards the receiver, landing gently. The non-dominant hand can be placed on the chest or the side of the body. See the table below for examples of using “at” in sentences.
| ASL Sentence | English Sentence |
|---|---|
| AT STORE | I’m at the store. |
| AT HOME | She’s at home. |
| AT SCHOOL | They’re at school. |
Variation 5: Indicating Specific Times or Dates
To indicate specific times or dates, sign “at” and then follow it with the appropriate number sign. For example, to say “at 10:00,” sign “AT” followed by the number “10.” For dates, use the month or year sign followed by “AT” and the day of the month.
Here are a few examples:
- AT 10:00 – 10:00 AM
- AT JANUARY 28 – January 28th
- AT 2023 – In the year 2023
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When signing “at,” there are a few common mistakes to avoid:
1. Don’t confuse “at” with “and.”
“At” uses a single “A” handshape held horizontally and moved forward while “and” uses two “A” handshapes held vertically and moved towards each other.
2. Don’t use the same hand for both signs.
For “at,” use one hand, while for “to,” use the other.
3. Don’t make the “at” sign too high or low.
The “at” sign should be held at about the same level as the chin.
4. Don’t make the “at” sign too large or small.
The “at” sign should be about the size of a golf ball.
5. Don’t move the “at” sign too fast or slow.
The “at” sign should be moved forward at a moderate speed.
6. Don’t make the “at” sign too jerky.
The “at” sign should be moved forward smoothly and evenly.
7. **Don’t tilt your hand when signing “at.”**
The “at” sign should be held horizontally with no tilt. A common mistake is to tilt the hand slightly upward or downward, which can change the meaning of the sign. Always keep the hand level for proper “at” execution.
Here’s a table summarizing the differences between the correct and incorrect hand positions for the “at” sign:
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
|
Hand held horizontally, not tilted |
Hand tilted slightly upward |
|
Hand held horizontally, not tilted |
Hand tilted slightly downward |
At Fingerspell
The fingerspell for “at” is made by placing the thumb on the tip of the little finger and extending the index, middle, and ring fingers.
Other Ways to Sign At
- One-handed sign: Curl your dominant hand into a loose fist and touch your knuckles to your forehead, then flick your hand forward.
- Two-handed sign: Extend your dominant arm out to the side and make a fist with your fingers pointing up. Curl your other hand into a fist and place it on top of the first fist.
- “Near” sign: Sign “NEAR” followed by the location where something is situated.
- “Close” sign: Sign “CLOSE” followed by the location where something is situated.
- “There” sign: Sign “THERE” followed by the location where something is situated.
- “On” sign: Sign “ON” followed by the surface or object where something is situated.
- “In” sign: Sign “IN” followed by the container or space where something is situated.
- “By” sign: Sign “BY” followed by the person or object that something is located near.
- “Next to” sign: Sign “NEXT TO” followed by the person or object that something is located adjacent to.
Variations for Different Contexts
The sign for “at” can be modified to convey specific contexts:
| Variant | Meaning |
|---|---|
| At a place | Touch your forehead and flick your hand towards the location. |
| At a time | Sign “TIME,” then sign the specific time. |
| At an event | Sign “EVENT,” then sign the specific event. |
| At a person’s house | Sign “HOUSE,” then sign the person’s name. |
How To Say At In Asl
To say “at” in American Sign Language (ASL), place your dominant hand on your non-dominant hand and move it slightly forward, as if you were indicating a specific location. Keep your fingers straight and together, and make sure that your thumb is touching the back of your non-dominant thumb.
People Also Ask
How do you say “at the park” in ASL?
To say “at the park” in ASL, start by signing “AT.” Then, sign “PARK” by placing your dominant hand on your non-dominant hand and moving it slightly forward, as if you were indicating a specific location. Keep your fingers straight and together, and make sure that your thumb is touching the back of your non-dominant thumb.
How do you say “at home” in ASL?
To say “at home” in ASL, start by signing “AT.” Then, sign “HOME” by placing your dominant hand on your non-dominant hand and moving it slightly forward, as if you were indicating a specific location. Keep your fingers straight and together, and make sure that your thumb is touching the back of your non-dominant thumb.
How do you say “at work” in ASL?
To say “at work” in ASL, start by signing “AT.” Then, sign “WORK” by placing your dominant hand on your non-dominant hand and moving it slightly forward, as if you were indicating a specific location. Keep your fingers straight and together, and make sure that your thumb is touching the back of your non-dominant thumb.
