How to Sign "Masturbation"
To sign 'masturbation', form your dominant hand into a fist (an 'A' or 'S' handshape). Place it in front of your lower torso or waist area. Move your fist up and down a few times in a quick, repetitive motion.
Examples Using "Masturbation" in a Sentence
1
Masturbation is a normal topic in health class.
To express this, you would sign 'health', 'class', 'discuss', 'topic', and then the sign for 'masturbation'.
2
The doctor asked if he had any questions about masturbation.
Sign 'doctor', 'ask', 'he', 'questions', 'about', and finish with the sign for 'masturbation'.
3
They read an article about the psychology of masturbation.
You can sign 'they', 'read', 'article', 'about', 'psychology', and then 'masturbation'.
How to Sign "Masturbation"
To sign 'masturbation', form your dominant hand into a fist (an 'A' or 'S' handshape). Place it in front of your lower torso or waist area. Move your fist up and down a few times in a quick, repetitive motion.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic, visually representing the physical action associated with the concept.
Signing Tips
Keep the movement contained and relatively small. The sign is typically performed near the lower torso, but it doesn't need to be overly exaggerated. Maintain a neutral facial expression unless the context requires otherwise.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is making the movement too large or placing it too high up on the chest. Keep the fist near the lower torso and ensure the up-and-down motion is short and repetitive.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Masturbation" in a Sentence
1Masturbation is a normal topic in health class.
To express this, you would sign 'health', 'class', 'discuss', 'topic', and then the sign for 'masturbation'.
2The doctor asked if he had any questions about masturbation.
Sign 'doctor', 'ask', 'he', 'questions', 'about', and finish with the sign for 'masturbation'.
3They read an article about the psychology of masturbation.
You can sign 'they', 'read', 'article', 'about', 'psychology', and then 'masturbation'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign considered inappropriate to use?
While the topic can be sensitive, the sign itself is the standard clinical and conversational way to express the concept in ASL. Use it appropriately depending on the context, such as in medical or educational settings.
Does the handshape have to be a tight fist?
Yes, typically an 'A' or 'S' handshape (a closed fist) is used. The exact tightness can vary slightly, but a fist is the standard handshape for this sign.
Can I use two hands for this sign?
No, this sign is almost exclusively performed with one hand, typically your dominant hand, to convey the meaning accurately.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!