In the American Deaf Community "mensch" isn't a term you are likely to come
across. There is no widely established connection in the minds of Deaf
Community members between the word "mensch" and any particular sign. I point
this out since just because you learn a new word or sign doesn't mean that your
conversation partner or audience will understand you. Additionally, some
words or signs have a variety of meanings that are strongly influenced by subtle
(small) inflections in pronunciation or differences in context. (When and
how you sign something can cause it to mean something totally different.)
Mensch is such a word in English and MENSCH is such a sign in ASL. Thus,
if you are a beginning signer I'm going to encourage you right here and now to
NOT use this sign. That's right. I've invested the better part of my life
encouraging people to sign and now I am telling you to not sign
something!
Of course I tell students rather often to "not" sign something a particular way
-- because they are messing it up. Then I show the student a more appropriate
way and encourage the student to go ahead and sign it that way. This time
it is different. This time I'm going to show you a sign and tell you ahead
of time to not use it and don't use it ever because, quite
simply, you are going to mess it up and look stupid. Oh sure, you'll get
the handshape, palm orientation, and location right. The problem is you
are going to muck up the "very" intricate facial expressions and movements that
radically influence the meaning of this sign. You are also going to
misjudge the context and applicability of the sign.
Actually, I should probably not even show it to you at all -- for your own
protection.
Self-esteem is a fragile thing. Destroying one's self-esteem by going out in
public and misusing a sign and being judged by others as an idiot -- is a
tragedy.
Ah, who am I kidding? Life is short. Dive in an make a fool of
yourself. At least you get to go swimming while all the haughty people are stuck
up on the shore too afraid to make a mistake. Then when you climb out of
the pool dripping wet yet exhilarated and others mention that you looked like an
idiot thrashing around in the water -- you can simply reply, "Yah, but I had a
lot of fun and I'll get better over time."
So, here we go...
According to dictionary.com a mensch is a decent, upright, mature, and
responsible person.
So, a basic approach to signing MENCH would be to refer to the person by
pointing off to the side (HE/SHE/THEY) then do the sign "NICE" with a lot of
emphasis and a sincere facial expression.
However the word "mensch" is also used sarcastically. Suppose someone isn't a
decent, upright, mature, and responsible person. What if that person is a
conniving, selfish, immature, irresponsible bugger? Someone might
comment about that person, "He's a real mensch!" The use of sarcasm would
cause the word mensch to mean its exact opposite.
To express the sarcastic meaning of mensch we could sign THANKS (with two hands
instead of just one -- and then MUCH (large grandiose movement) and a big
"THUMBS-UP" sign -- all accompanied by a very satirical facial expression and
rolling of the eyes. To any knowledgeable person it would be obvious that you
are being sarcastic.
Thus we can express the various meanings of the term "mensch" by using a
combination of signs.
There is however a particular sign that (if used properly and skillfully) can
indeed be used to mean "mensch."
Here it is:
[under construction, will post the sign in my next round of updates...]
Form a
flat hand. Extend the thumb to the side. Bend the ring finger as if trying to
touch the palm with it.
The index and middle are along side each other. The pinkie, middle and index are
facing up. Thumb is facing toward the non-dominant side. The hand is held up
near the shoulder, palm forward.
The facial expression, precise movement, and context of usage STRONGLY influence
the meaning of this sign. I will post videos and examples when I get a
moment.
Notes:
Notes: