Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Silence"

To sign silence, start by crossing your flat hands in front of your mouth, with your palms facing inward toward you. Then, uncross your hands and move them downward and outward to your sides. Finish the sign with both hands resting in front of you, palms facing down.

Examples Using "Silence" in a Sentence

1

The library was in complete silence.

Sign 'library', then use the sign for 'silence' with a calm, slow movement to emphasize the stillness and tranquility of the room.

2

Please maintain silence during the test.

Sign 'please', then 'silence', followed by 'during test'. Ensure your facial expression is serious to convey that this is an instruction.

3

We enjoyed the silence of the forest.

After signing 'forest' and 'enjoy', sign 'silence' with a relaxed, peaceful facial expression to show your appreciation for the quiet environment.

How to Sign "Silence"
To sign silence, start by crossing your flat hands in front of your mouth, with your palms facing inward toward you. Then, uncross your hands and move them downward and outward to your sides. Finish the sign with both hands resting in front of you, palms facing down.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for silence is highly visual, intuitive, and grounded in natural gestures. The starting position near the mouth represents the source of speech or noise, closely related to the universal gesture for 'shh.' The downward and outward sweeping motion of the hands visually depicts the settling of noise. It looks as if you are physically pressing the sound down and spreading a calming, invisible blanket of quiet over the surrounding environment.
Signing Tips
When signing silence, the speed and smoothness of your movement can convey the specific type of silence. A slow, gentle downward motion suggests a peaceful, calming quiet, while a sharp, quick movement might be used to command a room to be quiet immediately. Keep your hands flat and relaxed as they move outward. Your facial expression is also crucial; a relaxed face indicates tranquility, whereas a stern look implies a rule or command.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is keeping the downward movement too small or leaving the hands too close together. Make sure your hands clearly separate and move outward to fully convey the idea of silence spreading across a space. Additionally, avoid turning your palms upward or inward at the end of the sign; they must face completely downward to properly represent the settling of sound.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Silence" in a Sentence
1

The library was in complete silence.

Sign 'library', then use the sign for 'silence' with a calm, slow movement to emphasize the stillness and tranquility of the room.

2

Please maintain silence during the test.

Sign 'please', then 'silence', followed by 'during test'. Ensure your facial expression is serious to convey that this is an instruction.

3

We enjoyed the silence of the forest.

After signing 'forest' and 'enjoy', sign 'silence' with a relaxed, peaceful facial expression to show your appreciation for the quiet environment.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for silence the same as the sign for quiet?

Yes, silence and quiet use the exact same sign in ASL. You can rely on the context of your sentence and your facial expressions to clarify which specific English concept you are translating.

Do I have to physically touch my mouth at the beginning of the sign?

No, you do not need to physically touch your lips. Hovering your crossed hands just in front of your mouth is perfectly fine and is how most fluent signers comfortably perform the sign.

Can I use this sign to tell someone to 'shut up'?

While you can use a sharp, quick version of this sign to tell a group to be quiet, there are other, more direct signs for 'shut up.' This sign is generally better suited for describing a quiet environment.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!