How to Sign "Bones"
To sign 'bones', form both hands into bent 'V' handshapes, with your index and middle fingers bent and the other fingers tucked in. Cross your arms at the wrists in front of your chest. Tap your wrists together twice.
Examples Using "Bones" in a Sentence
1
The dog buried his bones in the yard.
To sign this, you would sign 'dog', then 'bury', followed by the sign for 'bones', and finally point to the yard.
2
I broke two bones in my arm.
Point to yourself, sign 'break', hold up the number two, sign 'bones', and then point to your arm.
3
We learned about the bones in the human body.
Sign 'learn', then 'bones', and trace the outline of a body to indicate the human body.
How to Sign "Bones"
To sign 'bones', form both hands into bent 'V' handshapes, with your index and middle fingers bent and the other fingers tucked in. Cross your arms at the wrists in front of your chest. Tap your wrists together twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'bones' is highly iconic, meaning it visually resembles what it represents. The crossed wrists with bent fingers mimic the classic image of crossed bones, much like the universal symbol seen on a skull and crossbones.
Signing Tips
Keep your movements crisp and deliberate. Ensure that your wrists are the point of contact when you tap them together, rather than your forearms or hands. Bending your index and middle fingers into the bent 'V' shape is key to making the sign clear and recognizable.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using straight 'V' handshapes instead of bending the fingers into a bent 'V'. Another frequent error is crossing the arms too far and tapping the forearms together instead of keeping the contact right at the wrists.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Bones" in a Sentence
1The dog buried his bones in the yard.
To sign this, you would sign 'dog', then 'bury', followed by the sign for 'bones', and finally point to the yard.
2I broke two bones in my arm.
Point to yourself, sign 'break', hold up the number two, sign 'bones', and then point to your arm.
3We learned about the bones in the human body.
Sign 'learn', then 'bones', and trace the outline of a body to indicate the human body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign used for both human and animal bones?
Yes, this sign is a general term used for any type of bone. Whether you are talking about a dog's chew toy, a dinosaur fossil, or a broken arm, you can use this exact same sign.
Does it matter which arm is crossed on top?
No, it does not matter which arm is on top. You can cross your dominant arm over your non-dominant arm or vice versa. Just do whatever feels most comfortable and natural for your body.
How is this sign different from the sign for 'skeleton'?
While 'bones' involves tapping your crossed wrists together twice in one location, the sign for 'skeleton' typically starts with crossed wrists and then moves down the torso to visually outline the ribcage.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!