How to Sign "Hello How Are You"
To sign 'hello how are you', begin with 'hello' by raising your dominant hand near your forehead with a flat palm facing outward, moving it slightly away like a salute. Next, sign 'how' by bringing both hands together in front of your chest with curved handshapes, knuckles touching. Roll them forward and outward so your palms face up. Finally, point directly at the person with your index finger to sign 'you'. Remember to slightly furrow your eyebrows, as this is a question!
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'hello' is highly iconic, resembling a traditional salute or a friendly wave used in many cultures to greet someone. The sign for 'how' visually represents the idea of opening something up or turning it over to examine it and see how it works. Finally, the sign for 'you' is a natural, directional pointing gesture. Together, these visual elements combine to create a welcoming and inquisitive greeting.
Signing Tips
When signing 'hello how are you,' focus on making the transition between the three signs smooth and fluid. Because ASL has its own grammar, you completely skip the English word 'are'—just sign 'hello,' 'how,' and 'you.' Facial expressions are crucial in ASL, so make sure to slightly furrow your eyebrows when signing 'how you.' This facial expression acts as the question mark at the end of your sentence, letting the other person know you expect a response.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is trying to sign the English word 'are.' Since ASL does not use 'to be' verbs, searching for or spelling 'are' will make your sentence confusing. Another frequent error is keeping a blank facial expression. If you don't furrow your eyebrows, it might look like a statement rather than a question. Finally, make sure your hands roll forward and outward for 'how,' rather than pulling backward toward your chest.
Regional Variations
While the individual signs are standard, some signers blend 'how' and 'you' into a single fluid motion. In this variation, as the hands roll forward for 'how,' the dominant hand smoothly extends its index finger to point for 'you' without a pause.
Examples Using "Hello How Are You" in a Sentence
1Hello, how are you doing today?
In ASL, you don't need a separate sign for 'doing' or 'are.' You simply sign 'hello,' 'how,' 'you,' and then add the sign for 'today' by bouncing both 'Y' handshapes downward twice.
2Hi! Hello, how are you?
You can use this full phrase when enthusiastically greeting a friend. Start with the salute-like motion for 'hello,' transition smoothly into the rolling hands for 'how,' and finish by pointing for 'you.'
3Hello, how are you? I am good.
This is a great practice dialogue. Ask the question by signing 'hello,' 'how,' and 'you' with furrowed eyebrows. Then, answer by pointing to yourself for 'I' and signing 'good' from your chin to your other hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't I sign the word 'are'?
ASL is a distinct language with its own grammar rules, which differ from English. ASL does not use 'to be' verbs like 'am,' 'is,' or 'are.' To ask this question, you only need to sign the concepts 'how' and 'you.'
Do I need to change my facial expression?
Yes! In ASL, facial expressions provide important grammatical information. Because 'how are you' is a 'wh-question' (questions starting with who, what, where, when, why, or how), you should furrow your eyebrows to show that you are asking a question.
Can I just sign 'how are you' without 'hello'?
Absolutely! 'How are you' (signed 'how you') is a complete and polite phrase on its own. Adding 'hello' at the beginning just makes it a slightly longer, friendly greeting, much like it does in spoken English.
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