Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Company"

Form both hands into 'C' handshapes. Start with your hands in front of your chest, index fingers and thumbs close together, with your palms facing away from you. Move both hands outward and around in a horizontal circle. Bring them back together so the pinky sides of your hands meet in front of you, with your palms now facing toward your body.

Examples Using "Company" in a Sentence

1

I work for a large company.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'WORK' by tapping your wrists together, sign 'LARGE', and then use the circular 'C' handshape motion to indicate the company you are employed by.

2

The company is hiring new people.

Start with the sign for 'COMPANY' using the circular 'C' motion. Follow this with the signs for 'NEW', 'HIRE', and 'PEOPLE' to complete the concept of a business bringing on additional staff.

3

She started her own company.

Point to the person for 'SHE', use the sign for 'START' (like turning a key between your fingers), sign 'HER', and finish with the 'COMPANY' sign to show she created a new business.

How to Sign "Company"
Form both hands into 'C' handshapes. Start with your hands in front of your chest, index fingers and thumbs close together, with your palms facing away from you. Move both hands outward and around in a horizontal circle. Bring them back together so the pinky sides of your hands meet in front of you, with your palms now facing toward your body.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign belongs to a family of initialized signs related to groups of people, such as 'family' (with F hands) or 'team' (with T hands). It uses the 'C' handshape to represent the first letter of 'company' or 'class'. The circular motion visually represents a gathering, an encompassing group, or a collective entity, drawing an imaginary boundary around the members of that group.
Signing Tips
Keep your 'C' handshapes firm and clear throughout the movement. Imagine you are tracing the outside edge of a bowl or a globe to get the circular motion just right. Ensure the movement is smooth and ends cleanly with the pinky sides touching. Practicing in front of a mirror can help you ensure both hands are moving symmetrically and that your palms are rotating correctly from outward to inward.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is making the circle too large or too small; keep the movement contained comfortably within the width of your shoulders. Another error is failing to rotate the palms, which should start facing outward and end facing inward. Beginners also sometimes drop the 'C' handshape halfway through the movement, so focus on keeping your fingers curved until the sign is completely finished.
Regional Variations
While the initialized 'C' circle is widely understood for 'company', many fluent signers prefer to simply fingerspell 'C-O' when referring to a business. The circular 'C' sign is also the standard sign for 'class', so context is important. In some regions, you might see 'company' signed by combining 'WORK' and 'GROUP'.
Examples Using "Company" in a Sentence
1

I work for a large company.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'WORK' by tapping your wrists together, sign 'LARGE', and then use the circular 'C' handshape motion to indicate the company you are employed by.

2

The company is hiring new people.

Start with the sign for 'COMPANY' using the circular 'C' motion. Follow this with the signs for 'NEW', 'HIRE', and 'PEOPLE' to complete the concept of a business bringing on additional staff.

3

She started her own company.

Point to the person for 'SHE', use the sign for 'START' (like turning a key between your fingers), sign 'HER', and finish with the 'COMPANY' sign to show she created a new business.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for 'company' as in having guests over?

No, this specific sign is used for a business, organization, or a class. If you mean having guests over (like 'we have company'), you would use signs like 'VISITORS', 'GUESTS', or 'FRIENDS ARRIVE' instead.

Is this the exact same sign as 'class'?

Yes, the sign for 'class' uses the exact same 'C' handshapes and circular motion. Because they share the same sign, you will rely on the context of your conversation to make it clear whether you are talking about a school class or a business company.

Do my hands have to touch at the end of the sign?

They don't have to touch forcefully, but the pinky sides of your hands should come very close together or lightly tap. This completes the circular grouping motion, visually closing the circle around the group or company.

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