Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Junior"

To sign "junior" (as in the third year of high school or college), hold your non-dominant hand in an open "5" handshape with the palm facing your chest and fingers pointing to the side. Form your dominant hand into a flat or relaxed "5" handshape. Tap the palm side of your dominant hand against the index finger of your non-dominant hand twice. In ASL, the fingers of the non-dominant hand represent the four years of school, with the index finger standing for the third year.

Examples Using "Junior" in a Sentence

1

I am a junior in college.

To sign this, start by signing 'COLLEGE' with both hands. Then, sign 'JUNIOR' by tapping your dominant hand against the index finger of your non-dominant hand. Finish the sentence by pointing to yourself to indicate 'I'.

2

Are you a sophomore or a junior?

Begin by pointing to the person for 'YOU'. Then sign 'SOPHOMORE' by tapping your middle finger, followed by 'JUNIOR' by tapping your index finger. Finish with the sign for 'WHICH' while furrowing your eyebrows to clearly indicate you are asking a question.

3

Next year, I will be a junior.

Start by signing 'NEXT-YEAR' with your dominant hand moving forward from your shoulder area. Point to yourself for 'I', and then sign 'JUNIOR' by tapping the index finger of your stationary non-dominant hand to show your upcoming grade level.

How to Sign "Junior"
To sign "junior" (as in the third year of high school or college), hold your non-dominant hand in an open "5" handshape with the palm facing your chest and fingers pointing to the side. Form your dominant hand into a flat or relaxed "5" handshape. Tap the palm side of your dominant hand against the index finger of your non-dominant hand twice. In ASL, the fingers of the non-dominant hand represent the four years of school, with the index finger standing for the third year.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign uses the non-dominant hand as a visual representation of the four years of high school or college. It acts as a timeline or ladder. Starting from the bottom, the ring finger is the first year (freshman), the middle finger is the second (sophomore), the index finger is the third (junior), and the thumb represents the top or fourth year (senior).
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand completely still while your dominant hand does the tapping. Think of your non-dominant hand as the base or 'ladder' of your school years. Ensure your dominant hand is relaxed and the tap is light but deliberate, making contact exactly on the index finger.
Common Mistakes
Tapping the wrong finger is the most common error beginners make. Remember that tapping the middle finger means 'sophomore,' and tapping the thumb means 'senior.' Make sure you are distinctly tapping the index finger for 'junior.' Also, avoid moving both hands; only the dominant hand should be in motion.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Junior" in a Sentence
1

I am a junior in college.

To sign this, start by signing 'COLLEGE' with both hands. Then, sign 'JUNIOR' by tapping your dominant hand against the index finger of your non-dominant hand. Finish the sentence by pointing to yourself to indicate 'I'.

2

Are you a sophomore or a junior?

Begin by pointing to the person for 'YOU'. Then sign 'SOPHOMORE' by tapping your middle finger, followed by 'JUNIOR' by tapping your index finger. Finish with the sign for 'WHICH' while furrowing your eyebrows to clearly indicate you are asking a question.

3

Next year, I will be a junior.

Start by signing 'NEXT-YEAR' with your dominant hand moving forward from your shoulder area. Point to yourself for 'I', and then sign 'JUNIOR' by tapping the index finger of your stationary non-dominant hand to show your upcoming grade level.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for a 'junior' in a family name, like John Doe Jr.?

No, this sign is specifically used for the academic grade level, meaning the third year of high school or college. To indicate 'Junior' as a suffix in someone's name (like John Doe Jr.), you should simply fingerspell the letters 'J-R'.

How do I remember which finger is for 'junior'?

Think of your fingers as a ladder you climb throughout your four years of school. You start at the bottom with the ring finger (freshman), move up to the middle (sophomore), reach the index finger (junior), and finally finish at the top with the thumb (senior).

Does the palm orientation of my non-dominant hand matter?

Yes, it is important! You should keep the palm of your non-dominant hand facing toward your chest or slightly inward. Your fingers should point horizontally across your body so the 'ladder' of fingers is clearly visible to the person you are signing with.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!