To sign 'eat lunch', you will combine the signs for 'eat' and 'noon'. First, form a flattened 'O' handshape with your dominant hand and bring your fingertips to tap against your lips. Next, hold your non-dominant arm horizontally across your torso to represent the horizon. Rest your dominant elbow on the back of your non-dominant hand, keeping your dominant arm pointing straight up with a flat handshape. This second part visually represents the sun at high noon.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'go', and then use the 'eat lunch' compound sign. Finish by signing 'now' with both 'Y' hands brought down slightly. This is a great, simple sentence for everyday use.
Sign 'time', point to the person for 'you', and sign 'eat lunch'. Because this is a 'wh-' question, remember to furrow your eyebrows and lean forward slightly at the end of the sentence to show you are asking a question.
Start with the sign for 'eat lunch', then use the 'together' sign by bringing both 'A' handshapes together and moving them in a small horizontal circle. It's a friendly and inviting way to ask someone to join you.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'go', and then use the 'eat lunch' compound sign. Finish by signing 'now' with both 'Y' hands brought down slightly. This is a great, simple sentence for everyday use.
Sign 'time', point to the person for 'you', and sign 'eat lunch'. Because this is a 'wh-' question, remember to furrow your eyebrows and lean forward slightly at the end of the sentence to show you are asking a question.
Start with the sign for 'eat lunch', then use the 'together' sign by bringing both 'A' handshapes together and moving them in a small horizontal circle. It's a friendly and inviting way to ask someone to join you.
Yes, 'eat lunch' is typically a compound sign. While context sometimes allows just the sign for 'eat' to mean having a meal, combining 'eat' and 'noon' specifically clarifies that the meal is lunch, avoiding any confusion with breakfast or dinner.
Some signers do use an initialized version by tapping an 'L' handshape near the mouth. However, the 'eat' plus 'noon' compound is widely preferred and recommended for beginners because it relies on ASL's natural visual concepts rather than English letters.
Yes, hand dominance is important here. Your dominant hand should be the one tapping your mouth and then pointing straight up to represent the sun. Your non-dominant hand acts as the horizon line, supporting your dominant elbow during the second half.
