How to Sign "Reverse"
To sign 'reverse', start by forming a 'V' handshape with your dominant hand. Do this by extending your index and middle fingers and spreading them apart, while keeping your thumb, ring finger, and pinky finger curled into your palm. Hold your hand out in front of your dominant shoulder with your palm facing toward you and your fingers pointing straight upward. From this starting position, move your hand straight back toward your shoulder in a single, smooth motion. This backward movement visually represents the concept of going in reverse, moving backward, or looking back at something.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
In American Sign Language, the 'V' handshape is frequently used as a classifier to represent a person's eyes or their line of sight. By taking this handshape and moving it backward toward the body, the sign visually mimics the act of looking back over your shoulder, stepping backward, or reversing a process. This grounds the sign in the physical, real-world action of reversing your perspective or physically moving backward.
Signing Tips
For a clear and natural sign, make sure to keep your palm facing toward you throughout the entire movement. The backward motion should be a smooth, straight line directly toward your shoulder, which clearly indicates the idea of moving in reverse. Ensure your index and middle fingers stay distinctly separated and pointing upward. Keep your wrist relatively stiff so the movement comes from your arm rather than your hand flopping backward.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake for beginners is pointing the fingers forward instead of upward, or accidentally turning the hand so the palm faces outward. Make sure your palm faces you and your fingers point up to correctly convey the 'reverse' or 'backward' motion. Additionally, avoid bending your index and middle fingers during the movement; they should remain straight and rigid to maintain the clear 'V' handshape from start to finish.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Reverse" in a Sentence
1I need to reverse the video.
To express this, first sign 'VIDEO' to establish the subject. Then, use the 'reverse' sign by moving your 'V' handshape backward toward your shoulder. This clearly shows the action of going back in the footage or rewinding what you were just watching.
2We should reverse our direction.
Begin by signing 'WE' and 'SHOULD' to set up the context of the sentence. Following that, use the 'reverse' sign to indicate moving backward or changing your path. The backward motion of the sign perfectly captures the idea of turning around or retreating.
3He walked in reverse.
Start by signing 'HE' and 'WALK' to describe the person and the action. Then, use the 'reverse' sign to show that the movement was happening backward. The visual nature of the sign helps clarify exactly how the person was moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for reversing a car?
While this sign effectively communicates the general concept of 'reverse' or 'backward', reversing a vehicle is usually signed differently. To show a car backing up, you would typically use the '3' handshape—which is the ASL classifier for vehicles—and move it backward to specifically represent the car.
Is this the same sign as 'look back'?
Yes, this sign is very frequently used to mean 'look back' or 'hindsight'. Because the 'V' handshape often represents eyes in ASL, moving it toward yourself visually represents your gaze or perspective shifting backward, whether you are talking about physical space or looking back in time.
Does it matter which hand I use to sign this?
Yes, you should always use your dominant hand for this sign. If you are right-handed, form the 'V' handshape with your right hand and move it toward your right shoulder. If you are left-handed, simply mirror the movement using your left hand toward your left shoulder.
Related ASL Signs
