How to Sign "Worry"
To sign "worry," start with both hands in flat "B" shapes, with your fingers together and thumbs resting alongside. Bring your hands up near the sides of your face, palms facing slightly inward. Move your hands in alternating forward circular motions, as if swirling thoughts are circling your head. It is essential to furrow your eyebrows and show a concerned facial expression to accurately convey the feeling of being worried.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "worry" is highly visual and iconic, rooted in the way we experience anxiety. The alternating, continuous circular motions of the hands near the head represent swirling, chaotic, or repetitive thoughts. It paints a clear picture of a mind that is busy, troubled, and unable to settle, perfectly capturing the mental experience of worrying.
Signing Tips
When signing "worry," remember that your facial expression does half the work! ASL relies heavily on non-manual markers, so furrowing your eyebrows and showing genuine concern is essential. Keep the alternating circular movement of your hands smooth and continuous to reflect the ongoing nature of anxious thoughts. Your hands should stay close to the sides of your head without actually touching your face, keeping the focus on the mind.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is signing "worry" with a neutral or happy facial expression, which confuses the viewer because it contradicts the meaning of the word. Another common error is making the circular motions too large or placing your hands too far out in front of your body. The sign should stay relatively tight and close to the sides of your head to represent thoughts swirling inside your mind.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Worry" in a Sentence
1Don't worry about it.
To sign this, you can sign "don't" followed by "worry," or simply sign "worry" while shaking your head "no" and offering a reassuring facial expression.
2I am worried about the upcoming test.
Point to yourself, sign "worry" while showing a stressed expression, and then sign "test" to explain what is causing your anxiety.
3Why are you worrying?
Point to the person, sign "worry," and then sign "why." Make sure to furrow your eyebrows throughout the sentence to indicate you are asking a "wh-" question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use both hands to sign 'worry'?
Yes, 'worry' is a two-handed sign. Using both hands effectively conveys the feeling of overwhelming or swirling thoughts. While a fluent signer might use one hand if holding something, the standard and clearest method for beginners is to use both hands.
What is the difference between 'worry' and 'nervous'?
'Worry' uses flat hands making alternating circles near the head, focusing on troubled thoughts. 'Nervous' or 'anxious' uses a different sign where you shake your hands slightly or tap your chest, focusing more on the physical feeling of nerves.
Does the direction of the circles matter?
Yes, the hands generally move in alternating forward and downward circles, similar to a bicycle pedaling motion near the sides of your face. Focus on keeping a continuous, alternating rhythm to show ongoing thoughts.
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