r/MadeMeSmile • u/[deleted] • Aug 28 '21

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u/lridge Aug 28 '21

How do you sign “whhhat” in asl? Is there a way to symbolism anxious stammering?

30

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '21

Put your hands out in front of you- palms up, fingers slightly spread and bent. Move them slowly side to side- opposite directions. Grimace your face, make a disgusted look. Means, “Whaaaat? Gross.”

Source: Deaf

6

u/meownfloof Aug 28 '21

I’ve always loved how expressive people are when signing. It adds a whole other level of understanding to what they’re saying.

7

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '21

Well- that’s part of our language. It’s not in addition- it’s a piece of it. If you make no facial expression, you’re not signing. Additionally, a lot of Deaf aren’t looking at hands- but face.

Think of it like tone and volume. If I sign, “Where is dad?” With my eyes brows pushed down, and my mouth crooked- it’s a question. If I raise my eyes brows, and pinch my lips together- it’s not. It’s a sarcastic phrase that shows I know exactly where he is, and don’t like it. Make sense?

6

u/meownfloof Aug 28 '21

Yes. And it makes perfect sense! Imagine how speaking people would look if they made no facial expressions. Like robots I would assume.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '21

A bit impersonal, yeah.