How to Sign "Spin"
To sign "spin," start by forming both hands into "1" handshapes, with your index fingers extended and the rest of your fingers curled into fists. Hold your hands in front of your chest, pointing your index fingers toward opposite sides so they are parallel, with one hand slightly above the other. Finally, revolve your index fingers around each other in a continuous circular motion, as if they are chasing one another. The movement should come primarily from your wrists and forearms.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "spin" is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the concept it describes. The two extended index fingers act as visual markers for an object, a wheel, or an axis. Their continuous, overlapping revolving motion directly mimics the physical action of something turning or spinning around and around in real life.
Signing Tips
Keep your wrists relatively loose so the circular motion looks fluid and natural. The speed of your rotation can add a lot of detail to your story; a fast motion implies spinning quickly, while a slow, drawn-out motion means spinning slowly. Make sure your index fingers don't actually touch or collide as they circle each other.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is moving their entire arms from the shoulders, which makes the sign look stiff. Try to isolate the movement to your wrists and forearms. Another frequent error is pointing the index fingers forward away from the body; remember that the fingers should point across your body, parallel to your chest, as they revolve.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Spin" in a Sentence
1The wheel began to spin.
To sign this, you can first sign 'wheel' or point to the object you are talking about, then use the 'spin' sign. You can adjust the speed of your circular motion to show exactly how fast the wheel is turning.
2Watch the dancer spin around.
Sign 'dancer,' then use the 'spin' sign. To emphasize that a person is spinning across a stage, you can make the circular motion slightly larger or move your hands across your signing space to show the path of the spin.
3The top is spinning on the table.
First, establish the 'table' in your signing space. Then, sign 'top' (the toy) and use the 'spin' sign directly over the area where you established the table, showing exactly where the action is happening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign to say my head is spinning?
While you can use this sign playfully near your head, ASL has a specific sign for 'dizzy' that involves circling a bent hand near your face. The standard 'spin' sign is best reserved for physical objects rotating.
Does it matter which hand starts on top?
No, it doesn't matter which hand is on top when you begin. Most signers naturally place their dominant hand slightly further out or on top, but since the motion is continuous, the hands will constantly switch positions anyway.
How do I show that something is spinning out of control?
In ASL, you modify the sign's movement and use facial expressions to add meaning. To show something spinning out of control, revolve your fingers very rapidly, make the circles slightly erratic, and use a wide-eyed or intense facial expression.
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