To sign *joy*, form both hands into flat handshapes with your fingers together and palms facing your body. Place your hands in front of your torso, with one hand slightly higher than the other. Brush both hands upward against your chest in a repeated, circular motion. Remember to include a bright, happy facial expression to match the meaning of the word!
Sign 'puppy', then use the sign for 'joy' with a big smile to show how happy the dog makes you feel. Emphasize the upward motion to show the intensity of the joy.
Point to yourself, sign 'see', 'friends', and then sign 'joy' with an expressive, upward circular motion on your chest. Make sure your face lights up to convey the pure happiness of the moment.
Point to the person, sign 'smile', and follow up with the sign for 'joy' to describe the warmth and happiness of her expression. The continuous circular motion helps show that the joy is ongoing.
Sign 'puppy', then use the sign for 'joy' with a big smile to show how happy the dog makes you feel. Emphasize the upward motion to show the intensity of the joy.
Point to yourself, sign 'see', 'friends', and then sign 'joy' with an expressive, upward circular motion on your chest. Make sure your face lights up to convey the pure happiness of the moment.
Point to the person, sign 'smile', and follow up with the sign for 'joy' to describe the warmth and happiness of her expression. The continuous circular motion helps show that the joy is ongoing.
Yes, 'joy' and 'happy' use the exact same sign in ASL! To distinguish 'joy' as a deeper, more profound, or more intense emotion than simple happiness, you can make the circular movements slightly larger, sign a bit more enthusiastically, and show a more expressive, beaming smile on your face.
While the sign for 'happy' is sometimes done with just one hand in casual, everyday conversation, using both hands is generally preferred for 'joy'. Using two hands helps to emphasize the strength, depth, and overwhelming nature of the emotion, making your signing much more expressive.
Typically, your dominant hand is placed slightly higher on your upper chest, while your non-dominant hand rests a bit lower near your stomach. However, the exact placement isn't strictly rigid. The most important aspect is that both hands are making the upward, circular brushing motion simultaneously.
