To sign 'disrespect', form 'R' handshapes with both hands by crossing your middle fingers over your index fingers. Start with your hands up near your forehead, palms facing toward you. Move both hands downward and slightly outward in a firm, sharp motion. This downward movement contrasts with the upward motion used for the sign 'respect'.
Sign 'I', 'tolerate' (or 'accept'), 'not', and then use the firm downward motion of 'disrespect' to emphasize the boundary.
Point to 'he', sign 'teacher', and then sign 'disrespect' directing the downward motion slightly toward the space where you established the teacher.
Sign 'please', 'my', 'family', 'don't', and finish with 'disrespect', using a serious facial expression to convey the gravity of the request.
Sign 'I', 'tolerate' (or 'accept'), 'not', and then use the firm downward motion of 'disrespect' to emphasize the boundary.
Point to 'he', sign 'teacher', and then sign 'disrespect' directing the downward motion slightly toward the space where you established the teacher.
Sign 'please', 'my', 'family', 'don't', and finish with 'disrespect', using a serious facial expression to convey the gravity of the request.
Both signs use 'R' handshapes, but their movements are opposites. 'Respect' moves upward and forward to show honoring someone, while 'disrespect' moves downward and outward to show a lack of honor or regard.
Yes, facial expressions are vital in ASL. For a negative concept like 'disrespect', furrow your eyebrows or show a stern, displeased expression to match the meaning of the word.
While some signs can be modified for one hand in very casual conversation, 'disrespect' is standardly a two-handed sign. Using both hands makes the sign clearer and more emphatic.
