How to Sign "My Pleasure"
To sign 'my pleasure', begin by placing your flat, open dominant hand against your chest to sign 'my'. Next, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Finally, form a thumbs-up 'A' handshape with your dominant hand and place the pinky side of it onto your non-dominant palm, which is the sign for 'help'.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This phrase is translated into ASL based on its core meaning rather than literal English words. It combines the sign for 'my' (indicating yourself) and 'help' (the thumb-up hand resting on the open palm), effectively communicating that the help you provided was yours to give gladly.
Signing Tips
Remember that 'my pleasure' is an English idiom, so in ASL, we focus on the meaning. This sign combination translates to 'my help', showing that you were glad to provide assistance. Keep your facial expression warm and welcoming to match the polite intent of the phrase.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is trying to sign the literal English words 'my' and 'pleasure' (which uses the sign for 'enjoy' or 'please'). While 'please' can be used in some contexts, 'my help' is a very natural ASL response to someone thanking you for your assistance.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "My Pleasure" in a Sentence
1"Thank you for helping me study!" - "My pleasure!"
After the person thanks you, respond by signing 'my pleasure' (using the signs for MY and HELP) with a warm smile to show you were happy to assist.
2"I really appreciate your support." - "It was my pleasure."
You can use this sign combination to acknowledge their gratitude, emphasizing that offering your support or help was something you gladly did.
3"Thanks for carrying those boxes." - "My pleasure."
Reply with this sign to indicate that the physical assistance you provided was no trouble at all, keeping your facial expression friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just sign 'please' for 'my pleasure'?
While you can sign 'please' or 'enjoy' (rubbing a flat hand in a circle on your chest), using 'my help' is a much clearer and more natural way to respond when someone thanks you for a favor or assistance.
Do I need to move the 'help' sign forward?
In this context, you can just form the sign for 'help' directly in front of you. If you want to emphasize that you are actively helping them, you can move the combined hands slightly toward the person you are talking to.
Is there another way to say 'my pleasure' in ASL?
Yes! Depending on the context, you can also sign 'happy to help', 'no problem', or 'fine'. ASL is very context-dependent, so choose the sign or phrase that best fits the specific situation and your relationship with the person.
Related ASL Signs