How to Sign "Runaway"
To sign "runaway" (which also means "escape"), start by holding your non-dominant hand open and flat in front of you, with the palm facing your dominant side. Form your dominant hand into a "1" handshape, extending just your index finger. Place your dominant index finger just behind your non-dominant hand. Finally, quickly dart your dominant index finger outward and away from your body. This swift motion visually represents a person suddenly fleeing or escaping from a location.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a wonderful example of ASL's visual logic. Your stationary non-dominant hand acts as a visual reference point, representing a barrier, a hiding spot, or a starting location. Your dominant index finger acts as a classifier representing a person. The quick, darting motion outward perfectly and intuitively illustrates that person suddenly breaking free, fleeing, or escaping from that spot.
Signing Tips
When practicing this sign, focus heavily on the speed and crispness of your dominant hand's movement. The darting motion should be quick and decisive to accurately convey the urgency of escaping or fleeing. Make sure to keep your non-dominant hand completely steady as a stationary reference point, which helps emphasize the sudden movement of the "person" running away.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving both hands during the sign, which confuses the visual message. Remember that the non-dominant hand must stay still. Another common error is performing the darting motion too slowly. If the movement lacks speed, it looks more like someone casually walking away rather than urgently running away or escaping.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Runaway" in a Sentence
1The dog tried to run away.
To sign this, you would first sign "DOG", and then use the "runaway" sign. Make sure to emphasize the quick darting motion of your index finger to show the suddenness of the dog's escape.
2The teenager ran away from home.
Start by signing "TEENAGER", then sign "HOME". Finish the sentence with the "runaway" sign, darting your dominant index finger outward to clearly show the action of them leaving the house.
3We need to run away from the danger.
Sign "DANGER" first to establish the context, then use the "runaway" sign. You can make the darting motion slightly larger or more urgent to emphasize getting far away from the threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same sign as "escape"?
Yes! In ASL, the concepts of fleeing, escaping, and running away are all represented by this exact same sign. The context of your conversation will naturally clarify which English word is the best translation.
Can I use this sign for running for exercise?
No, this sign is specifically used for fleeing or escaping a situation. If you are talking about jogging or running a race, you would use the standard ASL sign for "RUN," which involves both hands moving together.
Does it matter which direction my finger moves?
Generally, your dominant index finger should dart outward and slightly away from your body, moving past your non-dominant hand. The exact angle isn't as critical as the quick, escaping nature of the movement itself.
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