How to Sign "General"

To sign 'general', start with both hands in front of your chest, with your fingers bent and touching your thumbs. Move both hands outward to the sides while opening them into flat hands with your palms facing forward. This outward spreading motion represents a broad or overall concept.

Examples Using "General" in a Sentence

1

In general, I enjoy cooking.

Start by signing 'general', then point to yourself, sign 'enjoy', and finish with 'cook'.

2

That is a general rule.

Point to indicate 'that', sign 'general', and then sign 'rule'.

3

We had a general discussion.

Sign 'we', followed by 'general', and then use the sign for 'discuss'.

How to Sign "General"
To sign 'general', start with both hands in front of your chest, with your fingers bent and touching your thumbs. Move both hands outward to the sides while opening them into flat hands with your palms facing forward. This outward spreading motion represents a broad or overall concept.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign visually depicts taking a concentrated point or specific idea and spreading it outward. The expanding motion naturally represents something broad, overarching, or applying to a wide range of things.
Signing Tips
Make sure the outward motion is wide enough to convey the idea of something broad or encompassing. Your hands should transition smoothly from being closed together to fully open and flat at the end of the movement.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is keeping the hands too close together during the outward movement. Failing to open the hands fully can also make the sign look unclear, so ensure your palms face forward at the end.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "General" in a Sentence
1

In general, I enjoy cooking.

Start by signing 'general', then point to yourself, sign 'enjoy', and finish with 'cook'.

2

That is a general rule.

Point to indicate 'that', sign 'general', and then sign 'rule'.

3

We had a general discussion.

Sign 'we', followed by 'general', and then use the sign for 'discuss'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign used for a military general?

No, this sign means 'general' in the sense of 'overall' or 'broad'. To sign the military rank of general, you would typically tap your shoulder to represent the rank insignia.

Does this sign also mean 'generally' or 'usually'?

Yes! In ASL, this sign is frequently used to mean 'generally', 'usually', or 'broadly' depending on the context of your sentence.

Do my hands need to touch at the beginning of the sign?

Your hands don't need to touch each other, but your fingertips should be touching your thumbs on each hand before opening up as you move them apart.

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