Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Animation"

To sign animation, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing your dominant side, acting as a canvas. Form an 'I' handshape with your dominant hand by extending your pinky finger (it is also natural and common to leave the thumb extended). Place the tip of your pinky near the top of your non-dominant palm. Finally, move your dominant hand downward while wiggling it side to side, as if you are drawing a squiggly line on a page.

Examples Using "Animation" in a Sentence

1

I love watching animation.

To sign this, start by pointing to yourself for "I," then cross your arms over your chest for "LOVE." Sign "WATCH" by pointing your index and middle fingers outward from your eyes, and finish with the sign for "ANIMATION."

2

She studies 3D animation.

Point to the person you are talking about, then sign "STUDY" by wiggling your dominant fingers over your open non-dominant palm. Fingerspell "3-D," and conclude with the squiggly drawing motion on your palm for "ANIMATION."

3

That animation is really funny.

Point to the animation or sign "THAT" by bringing a "Y" handshape down onto your palm. Sign "ANIMATION," and then brush your index and middle fingers downward off your nose twice to sign "FUNNY."

How to Sign "Animation"
To sign animation, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing your dominant side, acting as a canvas. Form an 'I' handshape with your dominant hand by extending your pinky finger (it is also natural and common to leave the thumb extended). Place the tip of your pinky near the top of your non-dominant palm. Finally, move your dominant hand downward while wiggling it side to side, as if you are drawing a squiggly line on a page.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for animation is highly iconic and is deeply rooted in the visual concept of creating art. Your flat non-dominant hand represents a blank piece of paper, a canvas, or a drawing tablet. Meanwhile, the extended pinky finger on your dominant hand acts as a pen, pencil, or paintbrush. The wiggling motion as the finger moves down the palm beautifully mimics the action of an artist sketching lines or illustrating the frames that eventually become a moving animation.
Signing Tips
When signing animation, think of your non-dominant hand as your digital tablet or sketchbook. While the textbook handshape for this sign uses just the extended pinky (the 'I' handshape), you will notice that many fluent signers naturally leave their thumb extended as well, making it look a bit like a 'Y' handshape. Both variations are perfectly fine! Focus on keeping the wiggling motion smooth and fluid as you move down the palm to clearly convey the idea of drawing, sketching, or bringing art to life.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is using a stiff, straight downward motion instead of a wiggling or waving one. The side-to-side wiggle is crucial because it represents the fluid, creative strokes of drawing or animating. Without the wiggle, the sign can look too rigid and might be confused with other signs that involve moving a finger down the palm, such as 'rule' or 'law'. Keep your wrist relaxed and let the pinky glide and wave naturally down your hand.
Regional Variations
While the sign shown here (which also means 'art' or 'draw') is widely used and understood in context, you might encounter some regional or personal variations. For instance, some signers prefer to use a compound sign to be more specific, combining the sign for 'DRAW' with the sign for 'MOVIE' (waving the dominant hand over the non-dominant palm). Others might initialize the sign by using an 'A' handshape. However, relying on the classic 'ART/DRAW' sign is a safe and standard approach.
Examples Using "Animation" in a Sentence
1

I love watching animation.

To sign this, start by pointing to yourself for "I," then cross your arms over your chest for "LOVE." Sign "WATCH" by pointing your index and middle fingers outward from your eyes, and finish with the sign for "ANIMATION."

2

She studies 3D animation.

Point to the person you are talking about, then sign "STUDY" by wiggling your dominant fingers over your open non-dominant palm. Fingerspell "3-D," and conclude with the squiggly drawing motion on your palm for "ANIMATION."

3

That animation is really funny.

Point to the animation or sign "THAT" by bringing a "Y" handshape down onto your palm. Sign "ANIMATION," and then brush your index and middle fingers downward off your nose twice to sign "FUNNY."

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for "animation" the same as the sign for "art"?

Yes, the sign demonstrated here is the exact same sign used for "art," "draw," or "illustration." In American Sign Language, the specific meaning is usually made clear by the context of your sentence. If you are discussing movies or television, this sign naturally translates to "animation" or "cartoon."

Why do some people extend their thumb when making this sign?

The formal version of this sign uses an "I" handshape, which means only the pinky is extended. However, extending the thumb is a very common, relaxed phonetic variation. It feels more natural for many signers' hand muscles, so you will frequently see it signed this way in everyday conversation.

How can I specify that I mean a 3D animation rather than a 2D drawing?

If the distinction is important for your conversation, you can simply fingerspell "3-D" right before making the sign for animation. You can also add the sign for "MOVIE" afterward to emphasize that it is a moving picture rather than a static piece of artwork.

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