Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Memorial"

Start with your dominant hand in a flattened 'O' shape, with your fingertips touching your thumb, placed near your forehead. Pull your hand backward over your shoulder in a smooth motion. This movement symbolizes taking a thought or memory and placing it in the past.

Examples Using "Memorial" in a Sentence

1

We attended the memorial service.

To sign this, start by signing 'memorial' by pulling the flattened 'O' handshape backward over your shoulder. Follow this with the sign for 'service' or 'gathering' to complete the concept of the event.

2

The memorial is located in the park.

Use the sign for 'memorial' to establish the subject of your sentence. Then, sign 'park' and use a pointing gesture or placement sign to indicate where the memorial is physically located.

3

I visited the war memorial.

First, sign 'war' to provide the context, and then sign 'memorial' by bringing your hand from your forehead back over your shoulder. Finish by signing 'visit' to complete the sentence's action.

How to Sign "Memorial"
Start with your dominant hand in a flattened 'O' shape, with your fingertips touching your thumb, placed near your forehead. Pull your hand backward over your shoulder in a smooth motion. This movement symbolizes taking a thought or memory and placing it in the past.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
ASL makes brilliant use of spatial timelines to convey meaning. The space directly in front of your body represents the future, the space immediately around your body is the present, and the space behind you represents the past. By taking a flattened 'O' handshape—which often represents a thought or an object—from your forehead (the mind) and pulling it backward over your shoulder, you are visually demonstrating the act of holding onto a memory from the past.
Signing Tips
When signing 'memorial,' focus on the direction of your movement. Ensure the motion goes clearly backward over your shoulder, as the space behind your body represents the past in ASL. Keep your movement smooth and deliberate rather than rushed. Additionally, your facial expression is a vital part of the sign. Since a memorial is typically a solemn or reflective concept, make sure your face matches that respectful tone rather than appearing overly casual or animated.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is pulling the hand straight down to the chest or out to the side instead of backward over the shoulder. Remember that the backward motion is crucial because it visually represents looking back into the past. Another common error is using a loose or flat handshape; make sure you maintain a clear flattened 'O' shape with your fingertips touching your thumb as you initiate the sign at your forehead.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Memorial" in a Sentence
1

We attended the memorial service.

To sign this, start by signing 'memorial' by pulling the flattened 'O' handshape backward over your shoulder. Follow this with the sign for 'service' or 'gathering' to complete the concept of the event.

2

The memorial is located in the park.

Use the sign for 'memorial' to establish the subject of your sentence. Then, sign 'park' and use a pointing gesture or placement sign to indicate where the memorial is physically located.

3

I visited the war memorial.

First, sign 'war' to provide the context, and then sign 'memorial' by bringing your hand from your forehead back over your shoulder. Finish by signing 'visit' to complete the sentence's action.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same sign as 'memory'?

Yes, the sign used here for 'memorial' is the same sign commonly used for 'memory' or 'memorize.' In ASL, many related concepts share a single sign, and the exact English translation depends heavily on the context of your sentence and your facial expressions.

Do I need to use both hands for this sign?

No, this specific variation for 'memorial' is a one-handed sign. You only need to use your dominant hand to perform the movement. Keep your non-dominant hand relaxed at your side while you bring your dominant hand from your forehead over your shoulder.

Should my hand physically touch my forehead at the beginning?

Your fingertips can lightly touch your forehead or simply hover just a fraction of an inch next to it. The most important part is that the sign originates near the mind before moving backward, so either a light touch or a close hover is perfectly acceptable.

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