homework on in asl

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How to sign: preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)

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Similiar / Same: prep , preparation

Categories: schoolwork , school assignment

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How to Sign “Homework” in Sign Language

This sign is a compound of the words “home” and “work.” If you are talking about a specific assignment or project, those are different signs.

Signing “Home”

• Hand shape: Form your dominant hand into a bent “O” handshape.
• Hand location: Start with your hand on the side of your face, close to your mouth.
• Movement: Move your hand from your mouth to the top of your cheek.
• Facial expression: Keep a neutral facial expression.

Signing “Work”

• Hand shape: Both hands should be in a fist shape (also known as "S" handshape), with your thumbs resting against the front side of your fingers.
• Hand location: Place your hands in front of you. Make sure your non-dominant hand is facing palm-down. Your dominant hand should be facing outward, so that your wrist touches the top of your non-dominant hand.
• Movement: Use your dominant fist to tap on top of your non-dominant fist a few times at the wrist area.

See more about the sign for work .

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How to sign homework in American Sign Language

Sign #1 (1 of 1), sign instructions:.

This sign is done by signing "home" and then "work". However, in this instance "home" is signed by only pressing your hand on your face once instead of twice. After this, sign "work" by having your non-dominant hand in front of you with your palm orientation downward and your dominant hand tapping against your non-dominant hand 2 times.

Example Video

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Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

About the Creator

Paul Kelly, a nationally certified sign language interpreter and the founder of howdoyousign.com, has dedicated his career to bridging communication gaps through sign language. As a CODA (child of deaf adult), with deep personal and professional roots in the deaf community, Paul brings a unique blend of personal insight and professional expertise to his work.

His experiences range from legal to entertainment interpreting, including teaching sign language to celebrities like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. His passion for innovation is evident in the AI-driven features of this dictionary, aiming to make sign language more accessible for all.

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This is how you sign Homework in American Sign Language.

Description.

To sign "Homework" in American Sign Language (ASL), you are going to make an O handshape, put it next to your mouth and then bring it up on top of your cheek and whack your non-dominant hand just once.

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How to Say Homework in ASL

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language that is primarily used by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States and parts of Canada. Understanding how to communicate various words and concepts in ASL is essential for effective communication. When it comes to expressing the word “homework” in ASL, there are different ways to convey the meaning based on formality, context, and region.

Table of Contents

Formal Ways to Say Homework in ASL

When using ASL in a formal setting, such as a classroom or a professional environment, it is crucial to use accurate and conventional signs. Here are a few formal ways to say “homework” in ASL:

• Sign the word “work” followed by the sign for “assign.” To sign “work,” place your dominant hand in a flat position, palm facing down, and move it forward and backward a couple of times. Then, for “assign,” form the fingers of both hands into a claw shape, palms facing down, and move them forward together.
• Use the sign “school” followed by the sign for “work.” Sign “school” by forming both hands into an “S” shape with your index and middle fingers pointing downwards, and tap them together a few times. Then sign “work” as described above.
• Combine the sign for “work” with the sign for “practice.” Sign “work” as mentioned previously, and then sign “practice” by forming both hands into a claw shape with your index fingers extended, and move them up and down in front of your face.

Informal Ways to Say Homework in ASL

Informal situations allow for more variation and creativity in sign language. Here are a few informal ways to express “homework” in ASL:

• Use the sign “work” with emphasis. Sign “work” like in the previous examples but with more emphasis and facial expression to convey the idea of “homework” rather than just regular work.
• Depending on the context, you can use classifiers. Classifiers are handshapes used to represent actions or objects. For example, you can make the classifier handshape for “sheets of paper” with your non-dominant hand and pretend to write on them with a pen held in your dominant hand to represent “homework.”

Regional Variations

ASL varies across different regions, just as spoken languages have dialectal differences. While the signs for “homework” remain relatively consistent, there might be slight variations in certain areas. It is important to note that ASL is influenced by local community signs, personal preferences, and linguistic evolution within deaf communities.

Tips and Examples

Here are a few tips and examples to help you effectively communicate “homework” in ASL:

• When signing “homework,” focus on clear handshapes, appropriate facial expressions, and smooth movements. These elements enhance the clarity and fluency of your communication.
• Practice signing “homework” in front of a mirror or with a friend who knows ASL. Feedback from others can help you improve your signing skills and ensure accurate expression.
• Remember that ASL is a visual language, so remember to maintain eye contact during conversations. It helps create a strong connection with the person you are communicating with and shows respect for their culture and language.

“Perfecting your ASL skills and understanding how to express different concepts like ‘homework’ allows for inclusive communication and fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the deaf community.”

As you continue learning and using ASL, don’t be afraid to ask deaf individuals or members of the community about variations or their preferred signs for “homework.” Every conversation and interaction are opportunities to expand your knowledge and improve your fluency in ASL.

By being respectful, open-minded, and dedicated to learning, you can effectively communicate “homework” and other concepts in ASL, fostering inclusivity and understanding among deaf and hearing individuals alike.

Written by Beth Paula

Hi, I'm Beth! Between dancing and devouring cheese pizzas, I find joy in teaching American Sign Language (ASL). 'I Love You' or 'Want to Watch a Movie?', I've written comprehensive guides on a myriad of phrases. I'm also a globe-trotter, picked up 'World' in ASL while traipsing around Arizona, got my nerves to say 'Bad Dream' in ASL after a cricket match gone wrong. Speaking in signs isn't just my hobby, it's my way of saying 'Hi Mom, I Love You'. I'm always spinning words in ASL and look forward to helping you say more, without making a sound. Cherish the Silence!

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HOME: The American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "home"   The sign for "home" has a few different versions.  If you mean "home" as in "domicile" (or a fairly permanent residence) a fairly common version is made by bringing your fingers and thumb together and touching your cheek near the side of your mouth. Then move your hand an inch or two toward your ear and touch your cheek again.         HOME: "HOME" (animated gif)       Some people do the sign HOME starting near their EAR and moving near the MOUTH:   HOME-[ear-to-mouth-version] (animated gif)     There is another very common version of home that only makes "one" contact on the cheek. This version is done in the middle of the cheek (not near the mouth or ear) and typically shows up in  compound-signs such as "homework" or "homemade."  For example, see "homework" below.  Notice how it only contacts or comes near the cheek once and then moves straight into a single-contact version of work. HOMEWORK:   Animation: "homework"    HOMERUN: If you mean "home" as in "to score a homerun" un baseball, then just spell "HR" in an enthusiastic manner.     Notes:  If you do the sign HOME using a "D" handshape it means " dorm ." Also see: HOUSE Also see: HOMEWORK   Memory aid: Think of "home" as being the place where you eat and sleep . However note that the sign for home isn't done directly on the mouth.  Rather -- it is done on the cheek.   *  Want to help support ASL University?  It's easy :  DONATE   ( Thanks! ) *  Another way to help is to buy something from Dr. Bill's " Bookstore ." *  Want even more ASL resources?  Visit the " ASL Training Center ! "  (Subscription Extension of ASLU)   *  Also check out Dr. Bill's channel: www.youtube.com/billvicars   You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™  ASL resources by Lifeprint.com  ©  Dr. William Vicars   

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WORK in sign language

Learn how to sign 'work' in American Sign Language (ASL). Also, watch how an ASL-speaking baby develops the ASL word in language acquisition.

ASL signs for 'work'

How do you say 'work' in ASL?

Meaning: a job or activity that you do regularly especially in order to earn money; the place where you do your job; activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

Pronunciation/articulation: Dominant "S" (handshape), palm down (orientation), dominant wrist taps twice (movement) on the top of the passive or non-dominant "S" handshape.

" Work. -- Throw right "A" hand down against the left 'A' hand two or three times so that the lower side of right wrist strikes the top side of left wrist. (With both hands in position of 'A' throw wrists together.) Same sign followed by 'much' signifies 'busy'." (1910) Ref

Kids say the darndest thing

Kids say the darndest thing in sign language. Watch what three-year-old Juli says in ASL with a sense of humor.

Observe a couple of things in the video. At age 3, this child signed left-handed and one-handed while holding a spoon in her right hand, even though she was right-handed. Yet, it was still comprehensible. Perhaps it's an analog to vocally talking while munching.

At this age, children from baby to preschool age may sign comfortably with either hand, but over time, it usually forms into a dominant hand (mostly right-handed).

Another observation is that the child demonstrated a sense of humor! She teased her mother, joking about her father's different job.

Baby signing WORK in ASL

Watch the timelapse video (2015) of how the baby Juli acquires the ASL word WORK on the phonological level from babbling to word (sign) as how her language develops from one word to a sentence in a time lapse.

This baby began with the "5" handshape, one of a few unmarked handshapes. Then quickly evolved to "A" and finally "S", both also other two of the unmarked handshapes.

The baby's concept of work was probably generic in her observation based on these patterns: dad's wearing a firefighter uniform associated with being gone and then back; mom carrying a black workbag being gone and then back.

Psst... did you know that baby Juli's first babbling word was WORK? Not MILK. Nor MOM. Well, that's a long story. :D

Another "did you know that?" Studies show that babbling emerges at about 6-7 months in both speech and signing. Google neuroscientist Dr. Laura Petitto's work.

Another interesting thing is that the dominant condition shows in the baby Juli's WORK-based babbling. It means that one hand moves only as shown in a regular ASL sign, even the sign/word has the same handshape and movement in both hands, except for palm orientation.

Related signs: PROFESSION , CAREER , VOCATION , TRADE, LABOR .

"Choose a JOB you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -- Confucius.

Word associations: WORKFORCE , WORKAHOLIC

Opposite: PLAY .

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