Practice
STA-STA for Long Effort
STA-STA shows effort, struggle, delay, or a long process that takes work.
All Mouth Morphemes lessons
Learn It
Start with the simple version, then practice it with real signs.
STA-STA is a repeated mouth movement. It often matches something that takes effort or lasts a long time.
Use it with signs like WORK, STUDY, WAIT, STRUGGLE, or SEARCH.
The rhythm matters. The mouth should feel repeated and effortful, not like a random open mouth.
Repeated mouthOpen and close with a STA-STA rhythm.
Effort meaningUse it for hard work, struggle, waiting, or long process.
Match the actionLet the mouth rhythm match the effort in the sign.
Try It
Practice slowly. Make the mouth shape at the same time as the sign.
- Sign with STA-STA to show studying for a long time.
- Sign with STA-STA to show a long wait.
- Sign with STA-STA to show searching and searching.
Simple Examples
Read the ASL line first. A dark green pill names the mouth shape, not an extra sign.
ASL line. STA-STA mouth
MeaningStudy for a long, hard time.
TipSTA-STA adds effort and duration.
Mouth actionSTA-STA mouthRepeat the mouth movement during STUDY.
ASL line. STA-STA mouth
MeaningWait for a long time.
TipThe repeated mouth shows the process dragging on.
Mouth actionSTA-STA mouthUse the repeated mouth rhythm while signing WAIT.
ASL line. STA-STA mouth
MeaningSearch with effort for a while.
TipThe mouth adds the hard-process feeling.
Mouth actionSTA-STA mouthRepeat the shape with the searching action.
Common Mistake
Do not use STA-STA for a quick easy action. It works best when the action takes effort or time.
A little more grammar
STA-STA can act like an aspect marker because it changes how the action unfolds over time.