How to Sign "Cannibal"
To sign 'cannibal,' you combine the signs for 'eat,' 'people,' and the agent marker ('person'). First, bring your dominant hand in a flattened 'O' handshape to your mouth, tapping it lightly to sign 'eat.' Next, form 'P' handshapes with both hands and move them in alternating forward circles to sign 'people.' Finally, change both hands to flat handshapes with palms facing each other, and move them straight down to indicate a 'person.' This sequence literally translates to 'a person who eats people.'
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly literal and visually descriptive, stringing together the concepts of 'eat,' 'people,' and the agent marker ('person'). In American Sign Language, adding the agent marker to the end of an action or descriptive phrase transforms it into the noun for the individual performing that action. Therefore, the visual logic directly explains the definition of the word.
Signing Tips
Since 'cannibal' is a compound sign made up of three distinct parts, it is important to practice flowing smoothly from 'eat' to 'people' and finishing with the 'person' agent marker. Keep the movements concise and fluid so the overall sign doesn't feel too drawn out or robotic. Make sure your 'P' handshapes for 'people' are clear before transitioning into the flat hands for the agent marker.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake for beginners is forgetting to include the final agent marker (the flat hands moving downwards). Without this crucial ending, you are simply signing the phrase 'eat people' rather than referring to the specific noun 'cannibal' (the individual person who is doing the eating). Always remember to finish the sign with the agent marker.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Cannibal" in a Sentence
1The story is about a scary cannibal.
To sign this, express a frightened facial expression while signing 'scary,' followed by the compound sequence for 'cannibal.' Your facial expressions should match the eerie tone of the sentence.
2I learned about cannibals in my history class.
Begin by signing 'history' and 'class,' then point to yourself for 'I,' sign 'learn,' and finish with the sign for 'cannibal.' This establishes the context before introducing the subject.
3Are cannibals real?
Sign 'cannibal,' followed by 'real.' Since this is a yes/no question, make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward at the end of the sentence to indicate you are asking a question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there three different parts to this sign?
In ASL, complex English words are often described literally using a combination of simpler signs. 'Cannibal' is signed as 'eat people person' to clearly and visually define exactly what the word means, rather than relying on a single abstract gesture.
Do I really need to use the agent marker at the end?
Yes, the agent marker (the flat hands moving down) is essential. It is what changes the descriptive phrase 'eat people' into the actual noun 'cannibal' (a person who eats people). Leaving it out changes the grammatical meaning of your sentence.
Can I sign 'eat' with both hands instead of just one?
Typically, 'eat' is signed using only the dominant hand. However, in storytelling, a signer might occasionally use both hands to emphasize aggressive or animalistic eating. For standard vocabulary, stick to using just your dominant hand for the 'eat' portion.
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