How to Sign "Beginning"

Hold your non-dominant hand out flat with the fingers pointing forward and the palm facing your dominant side. Extend the index finger of your dominant hand and insert it between the index and middle fingers of your non-dominant hand. Twist your dominant hand backward towards yourself, like you are turning a key to start an engine.

Examples Using "Beginning" in a Sentence

1

Let's start from the beginning.

Use the sign for 'beginning' to indicate starting over. You can follow it with the sign for 'again' to emphasize starting from the very top.

2

The beginning of the movie was great.

First sign 'movie', then 'beginning' to establish the topic, and finish with an enthusiastic 'good' or 'great' to express your opinion.

3

At the beginning of the year, I made a goal.

Sign 'year', then 'beginning' to establish the timeframe before signing 'goal'. This sets up the chronological context for your sentence.

How to Sign "Beginning"
Hold your non-dominant hand out flat with the fingers pointing forward and the palm facing your dominant side. Extend the index finger of your dominant hand and insert it between the index and middle fingers of your non-dominant hand. Twist your dominant hand backward towards yourself, like you are turning a key to start an engine.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually represents the action of inserting a key into an ignition and turning it to start a car or machine. The non-dominant hand acts as the ignition slot, while the dominant index finger is the key.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand steady and relaxed. The twisting motion should come entirely from the wrist of your dominant hand, not your whole arm. Think of the precise, small movement you make when turning a key in a lock.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is inserting the dominant index finger between the thumb and index finger of the non-dominant hand. Make sure it goes specifically between the index and middle fingers. Another mistake is twisting the finger forward instead of backward.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Beginning" in a Sentence
1

Let's start from the beginning.

Use the sign for 'beginning' to indicate starting over. You can follow it with the sign for 'again' to emphasize starting from the very top.

2

The beginning of the movie was great.

First sign 'movie', then 'beginning' to establish the topic, and finish with an enthusiastic 'good' or 'great' to express your opinion.

3

At the beginning of the year, I made a goal.

Sign 'year', then 'beginning' to establish the timeframe before signing 'goal'. This sets up the chronological context for your sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'beginning' the same as 'start'?

Yes! In ASL, the concepts of 'beginning' and 'start' share the exact same sign. You can use this sign whether you are talking about the beginning of a story, starting a race, or initiating a project.

Does it matter which direction I twist my finger?

Yes, the direction matters. You should twist your dominant hand backward, pulling the top of your hand towards your body. Twisting it forward can look unnatural and might confuse the person you are signing with.

Can I use this sign for starting a physical object, like a car?

Absolutely. Because the sign originates from the visual representation of turning a key in an ignition, it is perfectly suited for starting a car or any other machine, as well as abstract concepts like starting a new job.

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