Hold your non-dominant hand open with the palm facing your dominant side and fingers pointing up, like a flat screen. Form an 'X' shape with your dominant hand by curling your index finger. Tap the 'X' hand against the palm of your non-dominant hand.
Examples Using "Xray" in a Sentence
1
The doctor ordered an X-ray of my arm.
Sign 'doctor', then use the sign for 'X-ray' by tapping your 'X' hand against your open palm, followed by pointing to your arm.
2
I need to go to the hospital for an X-ray.
Sign 'hospital', then sign 'X-ray' to clearly explain the medical purpose of your visit.
3
The X-ray shows my bone is broken.
Sign 'X-ray', then 'show', 'bone', and 'break' to convey the results of the medical scan.
Hold your non-dominant hand open with the palm facing your dominant side and fingers pointing up, like a flat screen. Form an 'X' shape with your dominant hand by curling your index finger. Tap the 'X' hand against the palm of your non-dominant hand.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a great example of an initialized sign combined with a visual classifier. The dominant hand uses the 'X' handshape to represent the letter 'X' in 'X-ray', while the non-dominant flat palm represents the photographic film or medical screen.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand steady and flat, acting as the 'film' or 'screen' for the X-ray. Ensure your dominant hand clearly forms the 'X' handshape with a curled index finger so it isn't confused with a '1' or 'D' handshape.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using a straight index finger instead of curling it into the 'X' handshape, which changes the letter being represented. Another mistake is moving the non-dominant hand to meet the dominant hand; the non-dominant hand should remain stationary.
Regional Variations
Some signers might simply fingerspell X-R-A-Y, especially in highly technical medical contexts, but tapping the 'X' on the palm is a widely recognized standard sign.
Examples Using "Xray" in a Sentence
1
The doctor ordered an X-ray of my arm.
Sign 'doctor', then use the sign for 'X-ray' by tapping your 'X' hand against your open palm, followed by pointing to your arm.
2
I need to go to the hospital for an X-ray.
Sign 'hospital', then sign 'X-ray' to clearly explain the medical purpose of your visit.
3
The X-ray shows my bone is broken.
Sign 'X-ray', then 'show', 'bone', and 'break' to convey the results of the medical scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I tap the palm once or twice?
It is typically tapped twice, though a single, deliberate tap is also acceptable, especially when signing quickly in a conversational sentence.
Can I just fingerspell X-R-A-Y instead?
Yes, fingerspelling X-R-A-Y is perfectly acceptable and commonly used, but the specific sign (tapping the 'X' on the palm) is faster and widely understood.
Does the palm orientation of my non-dominant hand matter?
Yes, your non-dominant palm should face your dominant hand (inward) so that the 'X' handshape can easily tap against it, representing the image hitting a screen.
