How to Sign "Fond"
To sign "fond", start by forming an open, flat handshape with your dominant hand, keeping your fingers together and your thumb extended. Place your palm flat against the center of your chest. From this position, gently stroke your hand downward a short distance. This smooth, downward motion is closely related to the sign for "appreciate", reflecting a warm, positive feeling toward someone or something. Be sure to pair the sign with a pleasant facial expression to clearly convey your affection.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
In American Sign Language, signs related to feelings, emotions, and internal states are almost always located near the chest and heart area. The open hand resting on the chest represents holding a feeling close to you. The gentle downward stroke visually reflects a sense of warmth, comfort, and deep appreciation settling into the heart. This iconic motivation perfectly captures the internal, emotional experience of being fond of a person, object, or memory.
Signing Tips
To execute this sign cleanly, focus on keeping your fingers together and your palm completely flat against your chest. Make sure to use a smooth, gentle downward motion to convey the warm, positive emotion associated with the word. Avoid rushing the movement. Since "fond" expresses a feeling of affection or appreciation, pairing the sign with a pleasant, relaxed facial expression is crucial. Your face should match the warmth of the emotion you are describing.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is rubbing their hand in a continuous circular motion on their chest. While similar, the circular motion is the specific sign for "please". Another frequent error is using both hands simultaneously on the chest, which changes the meaning of the sign to "enjoy". To accurately sign "fond" or "appreciate", make sure you stick to a single, straight downward stroke using only your dominant hand.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Fond" in a Sentence
1I am fond of chocolate.
To express this, point to yourself to sign "I", use the downward chest stroke for "fond", and then sign "chocolate". You do not need to sign the English words "am" or "of", as ASL grammar focuses on the core concepts.
2She is fond of her new dog.
Point to your side to indicate "she", sign "fond" by stroking your chest, and then sign "new" followed by "dog". Using a warm facial expression helps convey the affection meant by the word.
3We have fond memories of that place.
Sign "we" by moving your index finger from one shoulder to the other, sign "fond", and then "memory". Finish by pointing to an area in your signing space to represent "that place".
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "fond" signed the same way as "like"?
While they share similar meanings, they are signed differently. "Like" is signed by pulling your thumb and middle finger away from your chest until they touch. This version of "fond" uses a flat hand stroking downward, which is closer to the sign for "appreciate".
Can I use this sign to say "please"?
The sign for "please" is very similar because it also uses a flat hand on the chest. However, "please" involves rubbing the hand in a circular motion. "Fond" uses a straight downward stroke instead of a circle, distinguishing the two concepts.
Do I need to use two hands for this sign?
No, "fond" is signed using only your dominant hand. If you use both hands on your chest with a similar downward or circular motion, it typically translates to the word "enjoy". Keeping it to one hand ensures your meaning remains clear.
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