How to Sign "Crayon"
The sign for crayon is a compound of two distinct signs: color and write. Start by bringing your dominant hand up to your chin, keeping your palm facing you, and wiggle your fingers to sign color. Next, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of your chest with the palm facing up, acting as a piece of paper. Finally, pinch your dominant thumb and index finger together as if you are holding a crayon, and move it across your non-dominant palm. This mimics the action of coloring or writing on a page.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for crayon is a perfect example of a compound sign in ASL, where two separate concepts are combined to create a new, specific meaning. The first part of the sign is the standard ASL word for color, which is visually represented by wiggling fingers near the mouth or chin. The second part is the sign for write or draw, which iconically mimics the physical action of holding a writing utensil and moving it across a flat piece of paper. Together, they literally translate to 'color-write'.
Signing Tips
When learning the sign for crayon, focus on making a smooth transition between the two parts of the compound sign. Start with a clear, distinct finger wiggle at your chin for color, and then fluidly move your dominant hand down to your non-dominant palm for the write motion. Keep your non-dominant hand steady and flat, acting as your paper. Imagine you are actually holding a physical crayon and gently coloring on a page to make the motion look as natural and recognizable as possible.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is skipping the first half of the compound sign. If you only perform the writing motion on your palm, you are simply signing write or pen. To specifically mean crayon, you must always include the color sign at your chin first. Additionally, make sure you are using your dominant hand for both the color wiggle and the write motion, rather than switching hands midway through the sign, which can confuse the person you are signing with.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Crayon" in a Sentence
1I need a red crayon.
To sign this, start with 'I' and 'need', then sign the color 'red' by pulling your index finger down your chin. Finish with the compound sign for 'crayon' by wiggling your fingers at your chin and then mimicking writing on your palm.
2The children are coloring with crayons.
Sign 'children' by gently patting the heads of imaginary kids in front of you. Then, sign 'color', and finally sign 'crayon' by combining the finger wiggle at your chin with the writing motion on your non-dominant palm to clearly show the tools they are using.
3Can I borrow your crayon?
Point to the person to sign 'you', sign 'borrow' by crossing your 'V' or 'K' hands and moving them toward yourself, and finish with the compound sign for 'crayon'. Remember to raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate that you are asking a yes-or-no question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'crayon' the same as the sign for 'color'?
No, they are different! The sign for 'color' is only the first half of the sign for 'crayon'. To accurately sign 'crayon', you must first sign 'color' (wiggling your fingers at your chin) and then immediately add the sign for 'write' (mimicking writing on your open non-dominant palm).
Can I just fingerspell the word C-R-A-Y-O-N instead?
While you can always fingerspell a word if you forget the sign, the compound sign (COLOR + WRITE) is the standard, most widely understood, and most natural way to say 'crayon' in ASL. Learning the actual sign will make your conversations much smoother and more visually expressive.
Does it matter which hand I use to 'write' on my palm?
Yes, it does matter! In ASL, you should always use your dominant hand to perform the active 'writing' motion. Your non-dominant hand should act as the stationary, flat surface or 'paper'. Keeping this consistent helps make your signing clear and easy for others to read.
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