To sign "inspire," start with both hands in flat "O" shapes (fingertips touching the thumbs) near your stomach, with your palms facing up and inward. Bring both hands upward toward your upper chest. As your hands move up, open your fingers wide into "5" handshapes.
Point to the person to establish 'her', sign 'speech', and then sign 'inspire' moving up your torso to show the feeling welling up inside you.
Sign 'I want', then sign 'inspire'. You can angle the upward movement slightly outward away from your body to show the inspiration transferring from you to other people.
Sign 'book', then 'inspire'. Use a bright, engaged facial expression as your hands open up to convey the positive, uplifting impact of the book.
Point to the person to establish 'her', sign 'speech', and then sign 'inspire' moving up your torso to show the feeling welling up inside you.
Sign 'I want', then sign 'inspire'. You can angle the upward movement slightly outward away from your body to show the inspiration transferring from you to other people.
Sign 'book', then 'inspire'. Use a bright, engaged facial expression as your hands open up to convey the positive, uplifting impact of the book.
While 'inspire' and 'motivate' share similar meanings in English, they have distinct signs in ASL. 'Motivate' is typically signed by rubbing the hands together and pushing them forward. Use the 'inspire' sign specifically when conveying a feeling of being uplifted or filled with a new idea.
Yes! ASL uses directional verbs. If something inspires you, the hands move up your own torso. If you are inspiring an audience, you can start the sign near your body and move the hands upward and outward toward the people you are inspiring.
No, your hands do not need to physically touch your shirt or chest. They should hover just an inch or two in front of your torso as they make the upward, opening motion.
