(Version one: driving)
DRIVE:
(Version one: driving)
DRIVE:
(Version 2: More of a "cruising" meaning.)
The hands move forward, back, and foward a second time (using short quick
movements--unless it is a "long drive.") To sign "DRIVE-TO" you'd just
use a single forward movement.
In a message dated 10/29/2003 3:26:29 PM Pacific Standard Time,
___________@hotmail.com writes:
Hello Mr. V.
I am a 13 year old who wants to learn ASL and your website has helped me
tremendously. I also had a question on signing "drive" when your hands are in
a "C" position doesn't that mean "car" and when you have your hands in a "D"
position doesn't that mean "drive"? Or have I gotten mixed up with something
else.
Thanx :)
-chickie-
Hi Chickie,
No. What you are talking about is called "initialization."
Initialization is the practice of using the initial letter of the English
translation of a sign as the the handshape for that sign.
While it is true that quite a few signs are "initialized," initialization is
not something that applies to the majority of signs in ASL. It is
also true that most Deaf people are bilingual (know two languages). Here
in America, most "culturally Deaf" people know both ASL and English.
Quite often that knowledge of English influences a Deaf person's use of ASL.
But whether or not an influence from English becomes an accepted part of ASL
depends on how many users adopt the innovation (the new sign or method of
signing).
So, back to your question about the signs for drive and car. Drive is a verb and is signed larger and or in a more "mime-like" fashion than car. CAR is signed smaller, quicker and in a more arbitrary way (it doesn't look so much like you are actually holding the wheel of a car). Both signs use "S" hands.
Bill