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PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Agent"

To sign 'agent' (also known as the 'person' sign or agent marker), start with both hands in flat 'B' handshapes in front of your chest, with your palms facing each other. Move both hands straight down simultaneously, stopping around your waist. This downward motion represents the outline of a person's body.

Examples Using "Agent" in a Sentence

1

He is an FBI agent.

To sign this, you would first fingerspell the letters F-B-I. Then, use the sign for 'agent' to clearly indicate his profession. This combination perfectly conveys the concept of a federal agent in a natural ASL sentence structure.

2

I need to call my travel agent.

Begin by signing 'travel' to establish the context, followed immediately by the sign for 'agent' to create the compound meaning of 'travel agent.' Afterward, you can sign 'need' and 'call' to complete the thought.

3

The agent will help you.

Start by signing 'agent' to establish the subject of your sentence. Then, use the directional sign for 'help,' moving your hands from the agent's established space toward the person being helped, showing exactly who is assisting whom.

How to Sign "Agent"
To sign 'agent' (also known as the 'person' sign or agent marker), start with both hands in flat 'B' handshapes in front of your chest, with your palms facing each other. Move both hands straight down simultaneously, stopping around your waist. This downward motion represents the outline of a person's body.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'agent' is highly iconic and visually grounded in the human form. The two flat hands moving straight down parallel to each other trace the physical outline of a person's torso. By outlining the sides of the body, the sign visually represents an individual standing in front of you. This logical visual connection is why the sign is so broadly used in ASL to mean 'person,' 'individual,' or as an 'agent marker' to denote someone who performs a specific action or profession.
Signing Tips
When signing 'agent,' keep your hands parallel and maintain a steady, deliberate downward motion. The movement should be a straight line, stopping cleanly at the waist to clearly indicate a person or professional. Avoid making the motion too long or too short; stopping around the waist level is the standard placement. Remember that this sign is incredibly versatile in ASL—it is frequently used as a suffix (the 'agent marker') to turn a verb into a noun, such as adding it to 'teach' to mean 'teacher' or 'learn' to mean 'student.'
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is turning their palms to face their own body rather than keeping them facing each other. The palms must face inward toward one another to correctly outline the shape of a person. Another common error is moving the hands in a wavy, diagonal, or outward path instead of a straight downward line. Keep the movement crisp and vertical. Finally, be careful not to bend your wrists or curl your fingers too much; maintaining flat 'B' handshapes ensures the sign is clear and easily understood.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Agent" in a Sentence
1

He is an FBI agent.

To sign this, you would first fingerspell the letters F-B-I. Then, use the sign for 'agent' to clearly indicate his profession. This combination perfectly conveys the concept of a federal agent in a natural ASL sentence structure.

2

I need to call my travel agent.

Begin by signing 'travel' to establish the context, followed immediately by the sign for 'agent' to create the compound meaning of 'travel agent.' Afterward, you can sign 'need' and 'call' to complete the thought.

3

The agent will help you.

Start by signing 'agent' to establish the subject of your sentence. Then, use the directional sign for 'help,' moving your hands from the agent's established space toward the person being helped, showing exactly who is assisting whom.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign to mean 'person'?

Yes, absolutely! This sign is commonly used to mean 'person' or 'individual' on its own. It is the standard way to refer to a human being in ASL, making it a very important foundational sign to learn.

What is an 'agent marker' in ASL?

The 'agent marker' is this exact sign used as a suffix. When you add it after a verb, it indicates the person doing that action. For example, signing 'teach' followed by 'agent' translates to 'teacher.'

How do I sign specific professions like 'secret agent'?

For specific titles, you combine a descriptive sign with the 'agent' sign. To say 'secret agent,' you would sign 'secret' followed by 'agent.' For a 'travel agent,' you sign 'travel' and then 'agent.'

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!