PocketSign
Practice

Build Profession Signs

Practice common profession signs that use the PERSON ending, including teacher, interpreter, lawyer, programmer, and artist.

All Agent Marker lessons
ASL signer practicing profession signs made with the PERSON ending

Learn It

Start with the simple version, then practice it with real signs.

Once the pattern feels clear, try it with more job signs.

Many job signs are easy to understand because the first part shows the work.

LAW plus PERSON means lawyer. PROGRAM plus PERSON means programmer.

When you are learning a new profession sign, check whether the dictionary form already includes the PERSON ending.

Use real signsPractice with dictionary videos so you copy the full sign, not just the English idea.
Stay smoothMove from the base sign into PERSON without making it choppy.
Watch the endingThe PERSON ending is part of the job sign, not a separate extra sentence.

Try It

Practice slowly. Watch how the hand movement changes the meaning.

  1. English:The teacher is here.Decide the job sign:Build TEACHER with TEACH plus PERSON.Now sign:TEACH + PERSON ending HERE.
  2. English:My cousin is an interpreter.Decide the job sign:Build INTERPRETER with INTERPRET plus PERSON.Now sign:MY COUSIN INTERPRET + PERSON ending.
  3. English:The lawyer works today.Decide the job sign:Build LAWYER with LAW plus PERSON.Now sign:LAW + PERSON ending WORK TODAY.

Simple Examples

Read the ASL line first. A dark green pill names the hand movement or lack of extra movement.

ASL lineLAW + PERSON ending.
Meaninglawyer
TipUse the real LAWYER sign from the dictionary video for the full form.
Hand movementPERSON endingThe ending shows the person connected to law work.
lawyerperson
ASL linePROGRAM + PERSON ending.
Meaningprogrammer
TipThis follows the same action or field plus PERSON pattern.
Hand movementPERSON endingAdd PERSON after PROGRAM to show the worker.
programmerperson
ASL lineART + PERSON ending.
Meaningartist
TipWatch the dictionary video because the base sign and ending need to flow naturally.
Hand movementPERSON endingUse PERSON after the art-related base sign.
artistperson
ASL lineSTUDY + PERSON ending.
Meaningstudent
TipStudent is another useful beginner example of this pattern.
Hand movementPERSON endingThe ending shows a person connected to learning or studying.
studentperson

Common Mistake

Do not invent a job sign just because English ends in "-er." Use this pattern for common forms, then check the dictionary video when you are unsure.

Deeper Note

A little more grammar

The detailed reference explains that ASL builds many profession nouns with a sequential ending. In this lesson, the practical rule is enough: learn the base sign and copy the complete job form from real examples.