The sign 'sick' uses both hands. Relax both hands so they are flat but splayed, and bring the middle fingers in at the knuckle. Bring the dominant hand up so the middle finger is pointing at the forehead, and bring the non-dominant hand down so the middle finger is pointing at the naval. Twist both hands at the wrists to rotate the hands. Use your face to make a sick or unwell expression.
Point to yourself, sign 'feel', and then sign 'sick' by placing your bent middle fingers at your forehead and navel. Twist your wrists slightly and remember to look unwell.
Point to the person you are asking, then sign 'sick' with the twisting motion at your forehead and stomach. Raise your eyebrows and lean forward to show it is a yes/no question.
Point to the person, sign 'work', and then sign 'sick'. Emphasize the twisting motion of your middle fingers at your head and navel, paired with a pained facial expression.
Point to yourself, sign 'feel', and then sign 'sick' by placing your bent middle fingers at your forehead and navel. Twist your wrists slightly and remember to look unwell.
Point to the person you are asking, then sign 'sick' with the twisting motion at your forehead and stomach. Raise your eyebrows and lean forward to show it is a yes/no question.
Point to the person, sign 'work', and then sign 'sick'. Emphasize the twisting motion of your middle fingers at your head and navel, paired with a pained facial expression.
The standard dictionary sign for general illness uses both hands. However, if you want to specify where you feel sick, you can use just one hand. For example, using the sign only at your forehead implies a headache, while using it only at your stomach implies nausea.
This handshape is often referred to as the 'open 8' or the 'feeling' handshape in ASL. You create it by starting with an open, splayed hand and bending just your middle finger forward at the knuckle.
The slight twisting or pivoting motion at the wrists adds a dynamic element to the sign, emphasizing the ongoing discomfort or churning feeling of being sick. It helps the sign look more natural and fluent rather than rigid.
