To sign 'underground,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing down, representing the surface of the ground. Take your dominant hand, also in a flat handshape with the palm facing down, and place it beneath your non-dominant hand. Move your dominant hand forward and slightly downward, sliding it completely under the stationary 'ground' hand.
Sign 'subway' or 'train', then use the 'underground' sign to show where it travels. Focus on sliding your dominant hand smoothly and continuously beneath your non-dominant hand to show the ongoing path of the subway.
After signing 'cave', use the 'underground' sign to emphasize its location beneath the surface. Make sure your non-dominant hand stays perfectly flat and still so the person watching clearly understands the spatial relationship.
Sign 'pipes', then perform 'underground' to indicate their placement. By keeping your non-dominant hand stationary and moving your dominant hand below it, you create a clear visual picture of the pipes buried beneath the earth.
Sign 'subway' or 'train', then use the 'underground' sign to show where it travels. Focus on sliding your dominant hand smoothly and continuously beneath your non-dominant hand to show the ongoing path of the subway.
After signing 'cave', use the 'underground' sign to emphasize its location beneath the surface. Make sure your non-dominant hand stays perfectly flat and still so the person watching clearly understands the spatial relationship.
Sign 'pipes', then perform 'underground' to indicate their placement. By keeping your non-dominant hand stationary and moving your dominant hand below it, you create a clear visual picture of the pipes buried beneath the earth.
It is very similar! The sign for 'under' uses the exact same handshapes and spatial relationship, but 'underground' often emphasizes a slightly longer, sweeping forward motion beneath the flat 'ground' hand to specifically denote being beneath the earth's surface.
No, your hands do not need to touch. In fact, keeping a small, visible gap between your dominant hand and the stationary non-dominant hand helps clearly show the empty space 'underneath' the surface of the ground.
Yes! While it literally means beneath the earth, the Deaf community often uses this same sign conceptually to refer to things that are hidden, secretive, or alternative, such as an 'underground' movement, club, or music scene.
