Guiding Parents Through the World of American Sign Language- A Comprehensive Guide to Signing Them In

How to Sign Parents in ASL: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning American Sign Language (ASL) can be a transformative experience, especially for parents who want to communicate effectively with their deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Signing with your parents can bridge the communication gap and foster a deeper connection. In this article, we will explore how to sign parents in ASL, providing you with essential phrases and tips to get started.

1. Greetings

When meeting your parents, it’s important to start with a warm greeting. Here are some common ASL phrases you can use:

• Hi, Mom/Dad: “Hello, Mom” or “Hello, Dad” is signed by forming an “H” shape with your hand, then moving it towards your face and then towards the person you’re addressing.
• How are you? To sign “How are you?” in ASL, you can use the fingerspelling for “how” and “are” followed by a questioning face. First, make the “H” shape with your right hand and then form the letter “R” with your left hand. Next, make a questioning face by tilting your head slightly and raising your eyebrows.
• I love you: To express your love, form the letter “I” with your hand and then place it over your heart. Move your hand up and down to show affection.

2. Introducing Yourself

When you meet your parents for the first time or when they visit you, it’s important to introduce yourself. Here’s how you can sign “My name is [Your Name]” in ASL:

• My name: To sign “my,” form the letter “M” with your hand and then place it on your chest. To sign “name,” form the letter “N” with your hand and then tap it on your chest.
• [Your Name]: Fingerspell your name using the appropriate handshapes and movements.

3. Expressing Feelings

Expressing your feelings is crucial for maintaining a strong relationship with your parents. Here are some common emotions you can sign in ASL:

• Happy: Make a smiley face with your hands and move them upwards to show joy.
• Sad: Make a frowning face with your hands and move them downwards to express sadness.
• Angry: Make a frowning face with your hands and move them downwards while clenching your fists to show anger.

4. Conversational Phrases

When conversing with your parents, it’s helpful to know some common phrases to keep the conversation flowing. Here are a few examples:

• What’s up? To sign “What’s up?” in ASL, you can use the fingerspelling for “What” and “up” followed by a questioning face.
• How was your day? To sign “How was your day?” in ASL, you can use the fingerspelling for “How,” “was,” and “day” followed by a questioning face.
• Let’s go out for dinner: To sign “Let’s go out for dinner,” you can use the fingerspelling for “let’s,” “go,” “out,” “for,” and “dinner” followed by a movement of your hands to indicate going out.

5. Practice and Patience

Learning to sign with your parents in ASL requires practice and patience. Encourage your parents to learn the basics of ASL and practice together regularly. Remember that communication is a two-way street, so be open to learning from your parents as well.

By following these steps and dedicating time to practice, you’ll be well on your way to signing with your parents in ASL. Not only will this improve your communication, but it will also strengthen your bond and create lasting memories.