How to Sign "Bench"
To sign "bench," start by forming both hands into 'U' handshapes, where your index and middle fingers are extended and kept tightly together, while your thumb holds down your ring and pinky fingers. Hold your hands in front of your chest with your palms facing down and your extended fingers pointing forward. Starting with the inner edges of your index fingers touching or very close together, pull your hands apart horizontally to the sides. This outward motion traces the long, flat shape of a bench.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "bench" is highly iconic and visually represents the physical object itself. In ASL, the 'U' handshape is often used to represent seating surfaces or the legs of people sitting. By starting your hands together and pulling them apart horizontally, you are literally drawing the long, flat surface of a bench in the air. This outward stretching motion perfectly distinguishes a multi-person bench from a standard, single-person chair.
Signing Tips
When signing "bench," focus on keeping your index and middle fingers tightly together in a clear 'U' handshape to keep your signing crisp. Ensure the movement is a smooth, straight horizontal line outward to clearly depict the flat, elongated surface. You can also use the width of your gesture to indicate the size of the object—a wider stretch means a much longer bench!
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is using a bouncing or downward motion instead of a smooth horizontal outward motion, which can confuse the sign with "sit" or "chair." Another frequent error is separating the index and middle fingers into a 'V' shape; it is important to keep them glued together. Make sure your palms stay facing downward the entire time.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Bench" in a Sentence
1Let's sit on the park bench.
Sign "park," then "bench," followed by "sit." The outward motion of "bench" clearly establishes the long seating area in your signing space before you indicate the action of sitting.
2The bench is wet.
Sign "bench" and then "wet." You can point to the specific location of the bench in your signing space after signing it to emphasize exactly what object is wet.
3We painted the wooden bench.
Sign "wood," then "bench," and finish with "paint." Make sure to trace the full length of the bench with your hands to clearly show its size and shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'bench' different from 'chair' or 'sit'?
While "chair" and "sit" use the same 'U' handshapes, they involve tapping one hand over the other. "Bench" uses both hands starting together and moving apart horizontally to show a long seating surface.
Does the distance I move my hands matter?
Yes! Moving your hands further apart implies a longer bench. You can easily adjust the distance of your outward motion to show the actual size of the bench you are talking about.
Should my palms face down or up?
Your palms should face down throughout the entire sign. This downward orientation represents the flat, horizontal surface of the bench where people sit.
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