How to Sign "Student"
To sign "student", you will combine two distinct concepts: "learn" and the "person" marker. Start by holding your non-dominant hand open and flat in front of you, with the palm facing up like an open book. Place your open dominant hand on that palm, then pull it upward toward your forehead while closing your fingers and thumb together into a flattened "O" shape, as if picking up information. Finally, add the "person" marker by holding both flat hands in front of you, palms facing each other, and moving them straight down.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "student" is a wonderful example of a compound sign in ASL, combining the concept of "learn" with the "person" marker. The first movement is highly iconic, visually representing the act of physically picking up knowledge or information from a book's page and placing it directly into your mind. The second movement uses flat hands to outline the sides of a human body, indicating an individual. When put together, the sign literally translates to "a person who learns," perfectly capturing the essence of a student.
Signing Tips
When signing "student", focus on creating a smooth, continuous flow between the two parts of the compound sign. Your non-dominant hand should remain perfectly still during the "learn" portion, acting as a stable base or "book" for your dominant hand to draw from. As you transition into the "person" marker, make sure both hands are parallel and move downwards in a deliberate, straight line. Keeping your movements clear and distinct will help others easily recognize both halves of the word.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is forgetting to include the "person" marker at the end of the sign. Without those two flat hands moving downwards, you are simply signing the verb "learn" instead of the noun "student". Another frequent error is moving the non-dominant hand upwards along with the dominant hand during the first half of the sign. Remember that your non-dominant hand represents a book resting on a table, so it needs to stay completely stationary while your dominant hand does the lifting.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Student" in a Sentence
1I am an ASL student.
To sign this, point to yourself with your index finger for "I", spell out the letters A-S-L, and then perform the sign for "student" by combining "learn" and the downward "person" marker. Remember that ASL grammar naturally omits words like "am" and "an".
2The student is reading a book.
Start by signing "student" using the "learn" and "person" movements. Next, sign "book" by holding your palms together and opening them like a book's covers. Finally, sign "read" by pointing your dominant "V" handshape at your open non-dominant palm and moving it up and down as if scanning the pages.
3How many students are in the class?
Begin with the sign for "class" by making "C" handshapes that start together and circle outward to meet at the pinkies. Then, sign "student". Finish with the sign for "how many" by tossing your hands upward while furrowing your eyebrows to clearly indicate you are asking a question.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'learn' and 'student'?
The sign for "learn" is just the first half of the sign for "student". When you sign "learn", you only perform the motion of pulling information from your palm to your forehead. To change it to "student", you must add the "person" marker at the end by moving two flat hands downward.
Do I need to actually touch my forehead?
No, you do not need to physically touch your forehead when signing the "learn" portion. Bringing your hand close to your forehead is completely sufficient to convey the meaning of putting knowledge into your brain. Touching the forehead is okay, but stopping just short of it is very common and natural.
Can I sign 'student' using only one hand?
No, "student" is a two-handed sign. Your non-dominant hand is essential because it acts as the "book" for the "learn" portion of the sign. Additionally, both hands are required to properly form the "person" marker at the end. Using only one hand would make the sign confusing and incorrect.
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