ASL Lessons | Bookstore | Library | ASL University Main ►


American Sign Language: "What do?" / "Do what?"

 


Also see:  DO


WHAT-DO  /  "Do what?"  As in "What are you doing?"

 

The sign "WHAT-DO" is sometimes listed as "#DO" because it is a lexicalized form of spelling the letters "D" and "O."
To do this sign, turn your hands palm up in "D" handshapes and hold them in front of you with your index fingers pointing out/forward.  Then keeping your hands in that position, spell the word "DO" twice.

More advanced signers tend to do the same thing except they have "mutated" the "D" handshapes into "G" handshapes.  The movement for this variation is to bring the pads of the index fingers and the thumbs together twice.

Make sure to use a "Wh-q" facial expression with this sign because it translates to "What are/is we/he/she/it doing?"  If you put a y/n-q facial expression on this sign it means, "What did I do?  Why are you on my case?"  


DO-what?:  


DO-what? (one handed version)
(What are you doing!?)


Side view: (G hand version)


WHAT-DO? (D hand variation)
Notice, you can use a "D" handshape instead of the "G" handshape.  


Discussion:

A student asks:
"Can the sign "what-do" be used for asking "what do I do?" i.e., "Suppose, fingerspelling, make mistake, what-do?"
Response:  The sign "what-DO?" can indeed be used to mean "What do I do?"


 




*  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