How to Sign "Kitten"
To sign kitten, start by forming an 'F' handshape with your dominant hand. Do this by pinching your thumb and index finger together while keeping your middle, ring, and pinky fingers extended and spread apart. Bring your hand up to your face and place the pinched fingers lightly against your cheek. Finally, pull your hand outward and slightly away from your face, mimicking the whiskers of a cat. You can make the movement slightly smaller and gentler to emphasize that it is a baby cat.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually motivated, directly representing the long, distinct whiskers found on the face of a feline. The 'F' handshape and the outward pulling motion perfectly mimic the shape, location, and direction of a cat's whiskers extending from its snout. By placing the hand on the cheek and drawing it outward, the signer paints a clear visual picture of the animal's most recognizable facial feature.
Signing Tips
When signing kitten, keep your facial expressions soft and your movement light to emphasize the smallness and cuteness of a baby cat. Make sure your middle, ring, and pinky fingers stay clearly extended and separated as you pull your hand away from your cheek. Keeping the motion relatively small helps differentiate it from a larger, full-grown cat.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is using a closed fist or an 'O' handshape instead of the correct 'F' handshape. Another frequent error is pulling the hand too far away from the face or making the motion too aggressive. Remember to keep the pulling motion relatively short, delicate, and close to the cheek.
Regional Variations
While this video shows the common one-handed version, some signers use both hands simultaneously to pull whiskers from both cheeks. Additionally, to explicitly clarify that the animal is a kitten rather than an adult cat, many signers will combine signs by signing 'baby' first, followed immediately by this sign for 'cat'.
Examples Using "Kitten" in a Sentence
1The kitten is sleeping.
To sign this, first sign 'kitten' by pulling the 'F' handshape from your cheek. Then, rest your head on your folded hands or use the standard sign for 'sleep' to show the kitten is resting.
2I want to adopt a kitten.
Point to yourself for 'I', bring both hands toward you with clawed fingers for 'want', and then sign 'kitten'. You can add the sign for 'take up' or 'adopt' if you know it.
3My kitten is very playful.
Sign 'my' by placing a flat hand on your chest, followed by the sign for 'kitten'. Then, use the sign for 'play' (shaking 'Y' handshapes) with a lot of movement and a happy facial expression to show enthusiasm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for kitten the same as the sign for cat?
Yes, the sign demonstrated is the standard sign for 'cat'. To specifically emphasize that you are talking about a baby cat, many signers will sign 'baby' right before signing 'cat', or they will execute the 'cat' sign with smaller, gentler movements to indicate its small size.
Can I use both hands to sign kitten?
Absolutely! While the video demonstrates the one-handed version, it is completely acceptable and very common to use both hands simultaneously. You simply form the 'F' handshape with both hands and pull them outward from both cheeks at the same time to mimic whiskers on both sides.
Where exactly should my hand touch my face?
Your pinched thumb and index finger should start by lightly touching your cheek. Aim for the area roughly midway between your nose and the outer edge of your face, right where a cat's whiskers would naturally grow and extend outward.
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