Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Earing"

To sign 'earring', start by bringing your dominant hand up to the ear on the same side of your body. Form a pinching shape by bringing the tips of your thumb and index finger together, while keeping your other fingers loosely curled. Gently pinch your earlobe and give it a slight, quick wiggle or tug. This simple, intuitive motion visually represents holding or showing off a piece of jewelry on your ear.

Examples Using "Earing" in a Sentence

1

I lost my favorite earring.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'lose' by dropping an imaginary object from your hands, sign 'favorite', and then pinch your earlobe for 'earring'.

2

Your new earrings are beautiful.

Point to the person for 'your', sign 'new', pinch your earlobe for 'earring', and finish with the sign for 'beautiful' by sweeping your hand gracefully across your face.

3

I need to take off my earrings.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'need', pinch your earlobe for 'earring', and then mimic the motion of pulling the earrings away from your ears to sign 'take off'.

How to Sign "Earing"
To sign 'earring', start by bringing your dominant hand up to the ear on the same side of your body. Form a pinching shape by bringing the tips of your thumb and index finger together, while keeping your other fingers loosely curled. Gently pinch your earlobe and give it a slight, quick wiggle or tug. This simple, intuitive motion visually represents holding or showing off a piece of jewelry on your ear.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'earring' is highly iconic and visually intuitive, meaning it directly represents the object it describes in the real world. The handshape and location perfectly mimic the natural action of holding, putting on, or drawing attention to a piece of jewelry attached to the earlobe. By pinching the ear, the signer creates a clear visual reference that is easily understood even by those who are completely new to American Sign Language.
Signing Tips
When signing 'earring', make sure your hand placement is accurate by actually touching or coming very close to your earlobe. You don't need to pull hard; a gentle wiggle with your thumb and index finger is all it takes to clearly convey the sign. If you are talking about a pair of earrings, you can use both hands to sign it on both ears simultaneously, but signing it on just your dominant side is perfectly acceptable for the general concept.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is pulling down on the earlobe too forcefully, which can look exaggerated and distract from your conversation. Another frequent error is using the whole hand to grab the ear instead of isolating just the thumb and index finger. Remember to keep the movement small, precise, and gentle. Additionally, avoid reaching across your face to sign on the opposite ear, as this blocks your facial expressions.
Regional Variations
While the standard sign of pinching the earlobe is universally understood for the general concept of an earring, you will often see variations based on the specific style of the jewelry. For example, dangling earrings are frequently signed by wiggling the index fingers downward from the ears to show movement. Similarly, hoop earrings are often signed by tracing a circle near the earlobe with the thumb and index finger.
Examples Using "Earing" in a Sentence
1

I lost my favorite earring.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'lose' by dropping an imaginary object from your hands, sign 'favorite', and then pinch your earlobe for 'earring'.

2

Your new earrings are beautiful.

Point to the person for 'your', sign 'new', pinch your earlobe for 'earring', and finish with the sign for 'beautiful' by sweeping your hand gracefully across your face.

3

I need to take off my earrings.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'need', pinch your earlobe for 'earring', and then mimic the motion of pulling the earrings away from your ears to sign 'take off'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign this on both ears to show plural earrings?

Not necessarily. You can sign 'earring' on just one ear to mean 'earrings' in general conversation. However, if you want to specifically emphasize that there is a pair, you can use both hands to pinch both earlobes simultaneously.

How do I describe different styles of earrings?

The standard sign works perfectly for the general concept. To describe specific styles, ASL uses classifiers to show the shape and size. You might trace a large circle for hoops or wiggle your fingers downward to show long, dangling earrings.

Does it matter which hand I use to sign this?

Yes, you should generally use your dominant hand to sign 'earring' on the ear that is on the same side of your body. Reaching across your face to the opposite ear looks awkward and can block your important facial expressions.

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