How to Sign "Print"
To sign 'print', start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up, representing a piece of paper. Next, form a 'G' handshape with your dominant hand by extending your index finger and thumb while keeping your other fingers curled. Point your dominant index finger and thumb down towards your non-dominant palm. Bring them down to touch the palm, pinching the index finger and thumb together as they make contact, and then pull your hand up slightly. This mimics stamping type onto a page.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'print' is deeply rooted in the history of publishing and typography. The flat, open non-dominant hand serves as a visual representation of a blank sheet of paper. Meanwhile, the dominant hand's pinching motion mimics the old-fashioned printing presses where individual metal letters, or 'type,' were carefully picked up and stamped onto the page. Even though we use laser printers today, this iconic sign preserves the traditional, mechanical action of early printing methods.
Signing Tips
To make your sign for 'print' look natural, focus on the crispness of the pinching motion. Your dominant hand should look exactly like it is picking up a tiny piece of metal type or stamping a small mark onto the paper. Make sure your non-dominant hand remains completely flat and steady throughout the sign, as it acts as the canvas or paper. Keep your movements controlled; the dominant hand only needs to lift an inch or two after pinching the palm.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving both hands during the sign. Remember that your non-dominant hand represents a stationary piece of paper, so it should not bounce or meet the dominant hand halfway. Another common error is using a full-hand grabbing motion instead of isolating the index finger and thumb. Be sure to keep your middle, ring, and pinky fingers curled away so the 'G' handshape remains clear and the 'stamping' action is precise.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Print" in a Sentence
1I need to print my homework.
To sign this, you would sign 'I', 'need', and then 'print'. Your non-dominant hand stays flat as the paper while your dominant hand does the pinching motion. You can follow this with the sign for 'paper' or 'homework' to complete the thought.
2The printer is broken.
When talking about the machine itself, you can use the sign for 'print' followed by the 'agent' marker (moving flat hands straight down) to indicate the device. Then, sign 'broken' by mimicking snapping a stick in half with both hands.
3Did you read the print newspaper?
The sign for 'print' is also the standard sign for 'newspaper'. To ask this question, you would sign 'you', 'read', and then perform the 'print' sign with a double pinching motion to specifically indicate a published newspaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign to mean writing in block letters instead of cursive?
No, this specific sign is used for mechanical printing, like using a computer printer, a printing press, or referring to a published newspaper. If you want to tell someone to write in block letters, you would typically use the sign for 'write' and perhaps fingerspell 'print' to clarify your meaning.
Is there a difference between signing 'print' and 'newspaper'?
They use the exact same handshapes and base movements! The main difference is in the repetition. When signing 'newspaper', you almost always repeat the pinching motion twice on your palm. For the verb 'to print' a document, a single, firm pinching motion is often sufficient.
Should my dominant hand physically touch my non-dominant palm?
Yes, your dominant index finger and thumb should physically make contact with your non-dominant palm as they pinch together. This contact is important because it represents the ink or the stamp actually touching the paper. After the pinch, lift your hand slightly away.
Related ASL Signs
