How to Sign "Stripper"
To sign 'stripper,' you will combine two distinct movements. First, mimic the action of taking off clothes: bring both hands to your upper chest, grasp imaginary clothing, and pull your hands downwards and outwards as if removing a garment. Then, immediately follow this with the 'person' marker. To do this, hold both flat hands in front of you with your palms facing each other, and move them straight down. This combination changes the verb 'strip' into the noun 'stripper'.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'stripper' is a great example of how ASL builds compound words using visual logic. The first half of the sign is highly iconic, directly mimicking the physical action of grabbing and pulling clothing away from the body. The second half utilizes the standard ASL 'person' suffix—flat hands moving downward to outline the shape of a body. Together, these two elements logically combine the action of removing clothes with the concept of an individual.
Signing Tips
When signing 'stripper,' focus on making the first part of the sign clearly look like the action of pulling off a piece of clothing. The movement should be deliberate and expressive, starting near the chest and pulling down and away from the body. Always remember to include the 'person' marker at the end with a crisp, downward motion. This suffix is crucial because it transforms the action verb into a noun, clearly identifying the individual performing the action.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is forgetting to add the 'person' marker at the end of the sign. Without those flat hands moving downward, you are only signing the verb 'to strip,' rather than referring to the person. Additionally, make sure your hands start high enough on the chest during the first motion. If the movement is too small or starts too low, it might not clearly convey the visual concept of removing clothing, leading to confusion.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Stripper" in a Sentence
1The movie is about a male stripper.
To sign this sentence, start by signing 'movie' and 'about', followed by the sign for 'male'. Then, clearly sign 'stripper' by combining the downward clothing-removal motion with the flat-handed person marker. This sequence clearly establishes the subject of the film.
2She works as a stripper on the weekends.
Establish the subject by pointing for 'she', then sign 'work'. Next, sign 'stripper' using the two-part motion of pulling off clothes and adding the person marker. Finish the sentence by signing 'weekend' to indicate when she works.
3They hired a stripper for the party.
Begin with 'they' and 'hire'. When you sign 'stripper', ensure the transition between the stripping action and the person marker is smooth. Conclude the thought by signing 'party' to provide the context for the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to include the person marker?
Yes, the person marker is absolutely essential for this word. Without the flat hands moving downward at the end, the sign simply means the action 'to strip' or 'take off clothes.' Adding the person marker is what changes the verb into the noun 'stripper.'
Can this sign be used for stripping paint or wire?
No, this specific sign is conceptually tied to the action of removing clothing from a body. Because ASL is a highly conceptual language, stripping paint or wire requires different signs that visually mimic the specific actions of scraping, peeling, or pulling wire casing.
How big should the stripping motion be?
The motion should be clear and deliberate, but it doesn't need to be overly exaggerated. Starting from your upper chest and pulling your hands down and slightly outward to about waist level is perfectly sufficient to convey the meaning before adding the person marker.
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