How to Sign "Im Learning Sign"
To sign 'I'm learning sign,' begin with the sign for 'learn': hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up, like an open book. Use your dominant hand to 'grab' information from the palm and bring it up to your forehead, closing your fingers together as it reaches your head. Next, transition into the sign for 'sign': hold both hands in front of your chest with just the index fingers extended, and rotate them backwards towards your body in alternating circular motions.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This phrase combines two highly iconic signs. 'Learn' visually represents taking knowledge from a page (your flat non-dominant hand) and physically placing it into your brain (your forehead). 'Sign' uses the index fingers to mimic the dynamic, alternating movement of hands communicating in sign language.
Signing Tips
Focus on a smooth, natural transition between the two signs. After your dominant hand reaches your forehead for 'learn,' bring it back down to chest level while extending your index finger, simultaneously bringing up your non-dominant hand to match it for the 'sign' motion.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is rotating the index fingers forward instead of backward during the 'sign' portion. Ensure the alternating circular motion rolls backward toward your body, similar to a bicycle pedaling in reverse.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Im Learning Sign" in a Sentence
1Hi, I'm learning sign language!
This is a perfect icebreaker when meeting a Deaf person. You can point to yourself to indicate 'I', then smoothly sign 'LEARN' and 'SIGN' to introduce your skill level.
2Please go slow, I'm learning sign.
Combine the sign for 'SLOW' with 'LEARN SIGN' to politely ask your conversation partner to adjust their signing speed so you can easily follow along.
3I'm learning sign online right now.
Sign 'LEARN SIGN' followed by the sign for 'INTERNET' or 'ONLINE' to explain your current study method to friends or classmates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign the words 'I' and 'am'?
In ASL, you often don't need to sign 'I am' if the context is clear, though you can point to your chest before signing 'learn' to emphasize it. The word 'am' is a state-of-being verb that ASL grammar typically omits entirely.
Does it matter which hand is on the bottom for 'learn'?
Yes, your non-dominant hand should act as the stationary base (representing the 'book'), while your dominant hand does the active movement to 'grab' the information and bring it up to your forehead.
Can I use this phrase to mean I'm learning a spoken language?
No, the second part of this phrase specifically means 'sign language.' If you are learning a spoken language like Spanish or French, you would use the sign for 'learn' followed by the specific sign for that spoken language.
Related ASL Signs
