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PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Vegetarian"

To sign 'vegetarian', begin with the sign for 'vegetable'. Form a 'V' handshape with your dominant hand and touch your cheek with your index finger. Twist your wrist slightly to touch your cheek with your middle finger. Then, add the 'person' ending by holding both flat hands in front of you, palms facing each other, and moving them straight down.

Examples Using "Vegetarian" in a Sentence

1

I am a vegetarian.

To sign this, point to yourself to sign 'I', and then perform the compound sign for 'vegetarian'. You don't need a separate sign for 'am', as ASL omits 'to be' verbs.

2

This restaurant has vegetarian food.

Sign 'RESTAURANT', 'HAVE', 'VEGETARIAN', and then 'FOOD'. Make sure to clearly distinguish the 'person' marker in 'vegetarian' so it doesn't just look like 'vegetable food'.

3

Are you a vegetarian?

Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'VEGETARIAN', and raise your eyebrows while leaning forward slightly. This facial expression turns the statement into a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Vegetarian"
To sign 'vegetarian', begin with the sign for 'vegetable'. Form a 'V' handshape with your dominant hand and touch your cheek with your index finger. Twist your wrist slightly to touch your cheek with your middle finger. Then, add the 'person' ending by holding both flat hands in front of you, palms facing each other, and moving them straight down.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a clear compound of two distinct ASL concepts. The first part is an initialized sign for 'vegetable', using the English letter 'V' handshape placed on the cheek, near the mouth to associate it with eating. The second part is the standard 'agent' or 'person' marker. This suffix visually outlines the shape of a person's torso, transforming the concept from 'vegetables' to 'a person who eats vegetables'.
Signing Tips
Make sure the 'V' handshape is clear when touching your cheek. The twist should be a quick, fluid motion from the wrist, not the whole arm. When adding the 'person' marker, keep your hands parallel and move them straight down as if outlining the sides of a person's body.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake is forgetting the 'person' marker at the end, which changes the meaning to just 'vegetable'. Beginners also sometimes twist their entire arm instead of just the wrist when signing 'vegetable'. Remember to keep the movement isolated to your wrist.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Vegetarian" in a Sentence
1

I am a vegetarian.

To sign this, point to yourself to sign 'I', and then perform the compound sign for 'vegetarian'. You don't need a separate sign for 'am', as ASL omits 'to be' verbs.

2

This restaurant has vegetarian food.

Sign 'RESTAURANT', 'HAVE', 'VEGETARIAN', and then 'FOOD'. Make sure to clearly distinguish the 'person' marker in 'vegetarian' so it doesn't just look like 'vegetable food'.

3

Are you a vegetarian?

Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'VEGETARIAN', and raise your eyebrows while leaning forward slightly. This facial expression turns the statement into a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'vegetable' and 'vegetarian'?

The sign for 'vegetarian' includes the 'person' marker at the end, which is made by moving two flat hands downward. If you leave that second part off and only do the 'V' twist on your cheek, you are only signing 'vegetable'.

Is the sign for 'vegan' the same as 'vegetarian'?

No, they are different. While 'vegetarian' uses the 'vegetable' plus 'person' compound, 'vegan' is most commonly just fingerspelled V-E-G-A-N. There are some initialized variations for 'vegan', but fingerspelling is the most widely accepted and understood method across the Deaf community.

Which fingers should touch my cheek first?

Typically, you start with the index finger of your 'V' handshape touching your cheek. Then, you twist your wrist backward so that your middle finger touches the cheek. It should be a smooth, quick rotation.

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