To sign 'alcohol', form both hands into 'Y' handshapes by extending your thumbs and pinky fingers while curling the rest. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of you with the thumb pointing up and the palm facing inward. Position your dominant hand just above it in the same orientation. Finally, bring your dominant hand down to tap its pinky finger against the thumb of your non-dominant hand twice.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'alcohol', and then sign 'drink' while shaking your head to indicate 'not'.
Sign 'store', 'sell', and then 'alcohol' to convey that the store has alcohol available for purchase.
Sign 'you', 'want', 'alcohol', then shift your shoulders slightly and sign 'soda', raising your eyebrows at the end to ask a question.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'alcohol', and then sign 'drink' while shaking your head to indicate 'not'.
Sign 'store', 'sell', and then 'alcohol' to convey that the store has alcohol available for purchase.
Sign 'you', 'want', 'alcohol', then shift your shoulders slightly and sign 'soda', raising your eyebrows at the end to ask a question.
Yes, this sign is universally used to mean both 'alcohol' and 'liquor' in American Sign Language.
Yes! Depending on the region or the signer's preference, you might see people use the 'I' handshape (only pinkies extended) or the 'horns' handshape (index and pinkies extended) instead of the 'Y' handshape shown here.
Specific drinks have their own unique signs. For example, 'beer' is signed by sliding a 'B' handshape down the side of your cheek, and 'wine' uses a 'W' handshape making small circles on the cheek.
