How to Sign "So So"

To sign 'so so', hold your dominant hand out in front of you with an open '5' handshape, palm facing down and fingers spread apart. Gently rock your hand back and forth at the wrist a couple of times. Be sure to include a neutral or slightly indifferent facial expression to match the meaning.

Examples Using "So So" in a Sentence

1

The movie was just so-so.

Sign 'movie', then use the 'so so' sign with a slightly disappointed or neutral facial expression to show it wasn't great.

2

I'm feeling so-so today.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'feel', and then sign 'so so' while shrugging slightly to convey an okay but not great mood.

3

The food at that restaurant is so-so.

Sign 'food', then use the 'so so' sign to indicate that the meal was mediocre.

How to Sign "So So"
To sign 'so so', hold your dominant hand out in front of you with an open '5' handshape, palm facing down and fingers spread apart. Gently rock your hand back and forth at the wrist a couple of times. Be sure to include a neutral or slightly indifferent facial expression to match the meaning.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and shares its roots with a common gesture used by hearing people. The wavering, rocking motion of the hand visually represents being unbalanced or on the fence, perfectly capturing the idea of something being neither good nor bad.
Signing Tips
Your facial expression is just as important as your hand movement for this sign. Use a neutral face, a slight frown, or a small shrug to clearly convey the feeling of indifference or mediocrity.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving your entire arm back and forth. The movement should be isolated to your wrist, gently rocking your hand side to side.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "So So" in a Sentence
1

The movie was just so-so.

Sign 'movie', then use the 'so so' sign with a slightly disappointed or neutral facial expression to show it wasn't great.

2

I'm feeling so-so today.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'feel', and then sign 'so so' while shrugging slightly to convey an okay but not great mood.

3

The food at that restaurant is so-so.

Sign 'food', then use the 'so so' sign to indicate that the meal was mediocre.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign the same as the gesture hearing people use?

Yes! The ASL sign for 'so so' is identical to the common gesture many hearing people use to mean 'okay' or 'mediocre'. It is widely understood both inside and outside the Deaf community.

Can I use this sign to mean 'kind of' or 'sort of'?

Yes, depending on the context, this sign can be used to express 'kind of' or 'sort of', especially when describing a feeling or an opinion about something.

Do I need to use two hands for this sign?

No, 'so so' is a one-handed sign. You should use your dominant hand to perform the rocking motion.

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