How to Sign "Goodnight"
the sign 'goodnight' combines two separate signs. to sign 'good', leave the non-dominant hand at the chest area with the palm facing up. bring the dominant hand up so the fingertips press your lips. bring the dominant hand down so the back of the dominant hand rests against the palm of the non-dominant hand. to sign 'night', turn the non-dominant hand over so the palm is facing down. relax the dominant hand and curl it in a little. tap the palm of the dominant hand against the top of the non-dominant hand, so the palm of the dominant hand is still facing outwards.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a compound of two highly iconic ASL signs: 'good' and 'night'. The sign for 'good' originates from the idea of offering something positive or sweet from the mouth, presenting it forward. The sign for 'night' is a visual representation of the sun setting. Your non-dominant arm acts as the horizon, and your dominant, slightly curled hand represents the sun dipping down below that horizon.
Signing Tips
When signing 'goodnight', try to make the transition between 'good' and 'night' smooth and fluid. You don't need to pause heavily between the two words. As your dominant hand comes down from your chin for 'good', you can immediately flip your non-dominant hand over to prepare for the 'night' sign. Think of it as one continuous, graceful movement rather than two completely separate, robotic signs.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is keeping the non-dominant hand palm-up for the entire sign. Remember that for 'good', your non-dominant palm faces up to catch your dominant hand, but for 'night', you must flip the non-dominant hand so the palm faces down. Another mistake is keeping the dominant hand completely flat for 'night'; ensure it is slightly curled to represent the sun.
Regional Variations
In casual or fast-paced conversation, many fluent signers will shorten 'goodnight' by dropping the first part of the sign. They might just sign 'night' while mouthing 'goodnight', or they might blend the movement so the dominant hand barely touches the chin before moving directly into the 'night' handshape.
Examples Using "Goodnight" in a Sentence
1Goodnight, sleep well!
Sign 'goodnight' by smoothly combining 'good' (moving from the chin to the palm) and 'night' (tapping over the back of the hand), followed by the signs for 'sleep' and 'good'.
2It's time to say goodnight.
Point to your wrist for 'time', then sign 'goodnight' using the fluid two-part motion described, finishing with your curled dominant hand tapping over your non-dominant hand.
3I will call you tonight, goodnight.
After signing 'tonight' and 'call', finish the conversation by signing 'goodnight', making sure to clearly show both the 'good' and 'night' components with a warm facial expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sign both 'good' and 'night' every time?
For beginners, it is best to practice the full compound sign to build muscle memory. However, in casual settings, fluent signers often abbreviate it by just signing 'night' while conveying the friendly intent through facial expressions.
Which hand should be the 'horizon' for the 'night' part of the sign?
Your non-dominant hand should always act as the horizon (the base hand). If you are right-handed, your left arm stays horizontal, and your right hand moves from your chin down to tap over your left hand.
Should my hands touch during both parts of the sign?
Yes! During 'good', the back of your dominant hand rests in the palm of your non-dominant hand. During 'night', your dominant hand taps the top (back) of your non-dominant hand.
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