American Sign Language: NATION / national To sign "nation" make a clockwise circle with the dominant modified-"N"-hand and set it down on top of the back of the left fist. Some people use a "flat hand" for the non-dominant hand -- that's okay too. NATION: Hmmm...I just noticed I've got a loose thumb here. Dunno why I did it that way. Trying to look official for the camera I guess. Typically, yes the index and middle fingers are a bit more straight than a regular "N" but the thumb is indeed usually tucked under. Animation: NATION Notes: A student writes: QUESTION: What is the difference between "national" and "normal"? ANSWER: Good question. NATIONAL and NORMAL are indeed very similar. I tend to do the sign for NORMAL using a bit more of a "slap" type movement. I do the sign for NATIONAL with a bit more of a "plant the flag" type of movement. But many of my friends do those two signs the exact same. One thing I've noticed is that the sign for NORMAL sometimes adds a bit of a head-nod which creates a connotation of "That is normal." Also, I tend to use a palm-down "fist" as my non-dominant hand but some people use a palm-down flat hand as their non-dominant hand (both versions are ok). - Dr. Bill See: NORMAL You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!) (You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.) Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore." Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT > Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language: NATION / national

To sign "nation" make a clockwise circle with the dominant modified-"N"-hand and set it down on top of the back of the left fist. Some people use a "flat hand" for the non-dominant hand -- that's okay too.

NATION:
Hmmm...I just noticed I've got a loose thumb here. Dunno why I did it that way. Trying to look official for the camera I guess. Typically, yes the index and middle fingers are a bit more straight than a regular "N" but the thumb is indeed usually tucked under.

Animation: NATION

Notes:

A student writes:

QUESTION: What is the difference between "national" and "normal"?

ANSWER: Good question. NATIONAL and NORMAL are indeed very similar. I tend to do the sign for NORMAL using a bit more of a "slap" type movement. I do the sign for NATIONAL with a bit more of a "plant the flag" type of movement. But many of my friends do those two signs the exact same. One thing I've noticed is that the sign for NORMAL sometimes adds a bit of a head-nod which creates a connotation of "That is normal." Also, I tend to use a palm-down "fist" as my non-dominant hand but some people use a palm-down flat hand as their non-dominant hand (both versions are ok). - Dr. Bill

See: NORMAL

You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars

Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!)
(You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.)

Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore."

Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT >

Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >