How to Sign "Pick"
To sign 'pick', start with your dominant hand reaching slightly forward, fingers relaxed and open. Pull your hand back towards you while pinching your thumb and index finger together, leaving your other three fingers extended upwards. The motion looks just like you are picking a small object out of the air.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually represents the physical action of reaching out and picking a specific item from a selection. The pinching motion of the thumb and index finger perfectly mimics the way we grasp a small object to single it out from a larger group.
Signing Tips
For a clean and natural sign, make sure the movement is a clear, deliberate pinch and pull back towards your body. Keep your middle, ring, and pinky fingers extended to clearly form the 'F' handshape at the end of the sign. Imagine you are plucking a single grape from a bunch in front of you.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is pinching all of their fingers together into an 'O' shape instead of just the thumb and index finger. Ensure only two fingers pinch while the rest stay extended. Another mistake is forgetting to pull the hand back towards the body, which is essential for showing the action of taking or selecting.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Pick" in a Sentence
1Pick a color.
Sign 'color' by wiggling your fingers in front of your chin, then use the 'pick' sign to tell them to choose.
2I will pick the movie.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'movie' by rubbing your dominant hand side-to-side over your non-dominant palm, and then sign 'pick'.
3Did you pick your food?
Point to the person for 'you', sign 'food' by tapping your pinched fingers to your mouth, and finish with the 'pick' sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same sign as 'choose'?
Yes! In ASL, the sign for 'pick' is the exact same sign used for 'choose' or 'select'.
Can I use this sign for picking a flower?
While this sign means 'to select', picking a physical flower from the ground might be signed by mimicking the exact action of plucking a stem. However, for choosing a flower from a florist, this sign is perfect.
Does it matter which hand I use?
You should always use your dominant hand to perform the reaching and pinching motion for this sign.
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