How to Sign "Bark"
a dog barking
Examples Using "Bark" in a Sentence
1
My dog barks at the mail carrier.
To sign this, you would first establish the subject by signing "dog." Then, use the sign for "bark," directing the motion slightly outward. You can finish by signing "mail carrier" to complete the thought.
2
The loud bark woke me up.
Start by signing "loud," using a strong facial expression to emphasize the volume. Then, sign "bark" with a forceful motion. Finally, sign "wake up" by opening your eyes wide and flicking your index fingers and thumbs open near your eyes.
3
Why is the dog barking?
Begin by signing "dog," followed by the sign for "bark." Since this is a question, remember to furrow your eyebrows and lean forward slightly while signing "why" at the end of the sentence to show you are asking for information.
How to Sign "Bark"
a dog barking
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "bark" is a wonderful example of how American Sign Language uses visual representation to convey meaning. This sign is highly iconic, meaning it looks exactly like the action it describes. Your dominant hand acts as a visual classifier for an animal's snout and jaw. The repetitive opening and closing motion directly mimics the physical action of a dog's mouth as it barks. The non-dominant hand simply serves as a grounding base, helping to frame the action clearly in your signing space so the "mouth" is easily visible.
Signing Tips
When signing "bark," focus on making the movement of your dominant hand sharp and rhythmic to accurately convey the action of a dog making noise. You can easily modify this sign to show different types of barking. For a small, yappy dog, use smaller, quicker opening and closing motions. For a large, intimidating dog, make the mouth shape open wider and use a more forceful, deliberate movement. Adding appropriate facial expressions, like furrowed eyebrows for an angry bark, will also help bring the sign to life and add important context.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving their entire dominant arm up and down instead of isolating the movement to the hand and fingers. Remember that the "mouth" should be opening and closing, so the motion should come from your knuckles and thumb. Another common error is forgetting to use the non-dominant hand as a base. Without the non-dominant hand underneath, the sign can look sloppy or be confused with other signs. Keep your non-dominant hand steady and flat to provide a clear platform for the barking action.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Bark" in a Sentence
1My dog barks at the mail carrier.
To sign this, you would first establish the subject by signing "dog." Then, use the sign for "bark," directing the motion slightly outward. You can finish by signing "mail carrier" to complete the thought.
2The loud bark woke me up.
Start by signing "loud," using a strong facial expression to emphasize the volume. Then, sign "bark" with a forceful motion. Finally, sign "wake up" by opening your eyes wide and flicking your index fingers and thumbs open near your eyes.
3Why is the dog barking?
Begin by signing "dog," followed by the sign for "bark." Since this is a question, remember to furrow your eyebrows and lean forward slightly while signing "why" at the end of the sentence to show you are asking for information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for the bark on a tree?
No, this sign is exclusively used for the sound an animal, like a dog, makes. ASL is a context-based language, so words with multiple English meanings often have different signs. For tree bark, you would typically fingerspell B-A-R-K or describe the rough texture on a tree trunk.
How do I show that a dog is barking really loudly or aggressively?
You can modify the sign by making the opening and closing motion of your dominant hand larger, sharper, and more forceful. Pairing this bigger movement with an intense or annoyed facial expression will clearly communicate that the barking is loud and aggressive.
Does it matter which hand is on top doing the moving?
Yes, it does! In ASL, your dominant hand (the one you write with) should be the one on top performing the active opening and closing motion. Your non-dominant hand should serve as the stationary, flat base underneath to support the sign.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!