Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Entrepreneur"

To sign 'entrepreneur,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form a flat 'O' shape with your dominant hand, place the back of its fingers on your non-dominant palm, and move it forward as if handing money to someone. Finally, add the 'person' marker by holding both flat hands in front of you with palms facing each other, and moving them straight down.

Examples Using "Entrepreneur" in a Sentence

1

She is a successful entrepreneur.

To sign this, you would point to the person, sign 'SUCCESSFUL,' and then use the sign for 'entrepreneur' (the combination of 'buy' and the 'person' marker) to describe her professional role.

2

The young entrepreneur started a new company.

Establish the subject by signing 'YOUNG' and 'entrepreneur.' Then, follow up with the signs for 'START,' 'NEW,' and 'COMPANY' to complete the thought in ASL syntax.

3

He wants to become an entrepreneur.

Point to the individual, sign 'WANT' and 'BECOME,' and finish with the sign for 'entrepreneur.' This clearly expresses his future career aspirations using straightforward ASL vocabulary.

How to Sign "Entrepreneur"
To sign 'entrepreneur,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form a flat 'O' shape with your dominant hand, place the back of its fingers on your non-dominant palm, and move it forward as if handing money to someone. Finally, add the 'person' marker by holding both flat hands in front of you with palms facing each other, and moving them straight down.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign visually combines the concept of commerce with an individual. The first part of the sign is highly iconic, resembling the action of taking money from your own hand and giving it to someone else, which represents buying, trading, or engaging in commerce. The second part is the standard ASL agent suffix (the 'person' marker), which visually outlines the sides of a person's body to indicate 'one who does' the preceding activity.
Signing Tips
When executing the first part of the sign, make sure the forward movement of your dominant hand is clear and deliberate, mimicking the action of handing over money. Keep your non-dominant hand stable as a base. When transitioning to the 'person' marker, keep your flat hands parallel and move them straight down to clearly indicate an individual. Practice the transition between the two parts so it flows naturally as a single concept.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake for beginners is bouncing the dominant hand on the palm instead of moving it forward. Bouncing the hand changes the meaning of the first part to 'money' rather than the action of commerce. Ensure you use a single, smooth forward motion. Additionally, don't forget to include the 'person' marker at the end; omitting it leaves the sign incomplete and changes the meaning to just the action of buying.
Regional Variations
While the sign shown (BUY + PERSON) is commonly used to describe merchants or individuals engaged in commerce, many signers also use the combination of 'BUSINESS' + 'PERSON' to convey the concept of an entrepreneur. Both variations are widely understood.
Examples Using "Entrepreneur" in a Sentence
1

She is a successful entrepreneur.

To sign this, you would point to the person, sign 'SUCCESSFUL,' and then use the sign for 'entrepreneur' (the combination of 'buy' and the 'person' marker) to describe her professional role.

2

The young entrepreneur started a new company.

Establish the subject by signing 'YOUNG' and 'entrepreneur.' Then, follow up with the signs for 'START,' 'NEW,' and 'COMPANY' to complete the thought in ASL syntax.

3

He wants to become an entrepreneur.

Point to the individual, sign 'WANT' and 'BECOME,' and finish with the sign for 'entrepreneur.' This clearly expresses his future career aspirations using straightforward ASL vocabulary.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the first part of this sign look like 'buy'?

In ASL, concepts related to commerce, trading, and business often share foundational signs. Combining the action of buying or trading with the 'person' marker effectively conveys the idea of a merchant or someone engaged in a commercial enterprise.

Can I sign 'business' plus 'person' instead?

Yes, signing 'BUSINESS' followed by the 'person' marker is another very common and widely accepted way to express 'entrepreneur' or 'businessperson' in ASL. Both variations are correct and depend on regional or personal preference.

What is the 'person' marker at the end of the sign?

The 'person' marker, also known as the agent suffix, is used in ASL to change a verb or action into a noun representing a person. It is similar to adding '-er' or '-or' in English, like turning 'teach' into 'teacher'.

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