Start by bringing both hands together in front of your chest in "A" handshapes, with your knuckles touching and palms facing each other. Then, pull your hands apart while simultaneously opening them into relaxed "5" handshapes with your fingers spread. This motion essentially starts with the sign for "with" and then opens up to show the absence of something.
Sign "coffee", then use the sign for "without" before signing "sugar". Make sure to shake your head slightly when signing "without" to emphasize the negative aspect of the sentence.
Point to yourself and others for "we", sign "leave", then sign "without", and finally point to the space where you established "him" in your signing space.
Sign "I", "can't", "do", then "without", followed by "your" and "help". The contrast between the closed fists and open hands in "without" highlights the missing element perfectly.
Sign "coffee", then use the sign for "without" before signing "sugar". Make sure to shake your head slightly when signing "without" to emphasize the negative aspect of the sentence.
Point to yourself and others for "we", sign "leave", then sign "without", and finally point to the space where you established "him" in your signing space.
Sign "I", "can't", "do", then "without", followed by "your" and "help". The contrast between the closed fists and open hands in "without" highlights the missing element perfectly.
Yes, it is! The first half of the sign for "without" is exactly the sign for "with" (two "A" handshapes together). Opening the hands and pulling them apart adds the negative or "lacking" meaning.
While the manual hand movements are enough to be understood, adding a slight head shake is standard ASL grammar. It reinforces the negative aspect of the word, making your signing look much more natural.
No, "without" and "empty" use different signs. "Without" specifically means lacking or not having something, while "empty" refers to a container or space having nothing inside and uses a completely different hand motion.
