Learn How To Sign Month in American Sign Language

Hey everyone! So glad you're here to dive into the wonderful world of ASL with me. You've already learned the basic sign for 'month,' which is fantastic! But let's really make it stick and put it into context, because ASL isn't just about individual signs; it's about movement, expression, and flow. First, let's quickly recap the sign for 'month.' You take your dominant hand, form an index finger (like pointing), and then slide it down the non-dominant hand's index finger, which is held horizontally. It's like tracing the length of a calendar month. Practice it a few times – smooth and clear! Now, how about using 'month' in real sentences? This is where it gets super practical. If you want to say 'this month,' you'd sign 'MONTH' and then gesture towards yourself or just sign 'NOW' slightly after. For 'next month,' you'd sign 'MONTH' and then move your dominant hand forward slightly. And for 'last month,' you'd sign 'MONTH' and then move your dominant hand backward over your shoulder. See how adding a little direction changes everything? It's all about illustrating time relative to 'now.' Beyond just 'month,' it’s super helpful to learn other time-related signs. Imagine trying to talk about your plans without them! Week: This sign is like slicing a "calendar" with your dominant hand. You take your dominant hand, keep it flat with fingers together, and bring it across the palm of your non-dominant hand (which is also flat, fingers together, palm up). It's a smooth, horizontal movement. Year: This one is cool! Make two 'S' handshapes (fists) and bring them together, dominant hand circling around the non-dominant hand and returning to meet it. It represents the cycle of a year. Day: Make a 'D' handshape with your dominant hand, then bring your non-dominant arm across your body, palm down, like a horizon. Your dominant 'D' hand starts above your non-dominant arm and sweeps down to rest on it. It mimics the sun rising and setting. Today: This is often signed as 'NOW' + 'DAY'. So, you sign 'NOW' (both hands open, palms up, moving down slightly) and then the 'DAY' sign. Tomorrow: To sign 'tomorrow,' make an 'A' handshape (fist with thumb alongside) and bring it from your ear forward in an arc. It's like the future coming towards you. Yesterday: For 'yesterday,' you make an 'A' handshape again, but this time move it from your ear backward over your shoulder. It gestures to the past. Learning these in conjunction with 'month' will seriously boost your conversational ASL. Don't worry if it feels a bit awkward at first – consistency is key! I remember when I first started learning time signs, I'd confuse 'tomorrow' and 'yesterday' all the time. What helped me was practicing in front of a mirror and saying the word out loud as I signed it. Also, watching native ASL signers really helps you pick up on the nuances of movement and speed. A little tip from my own journey: try making up short sentences or phrases using these signs. For example, 'LAST MONTH, I WENT TO STORE.' Or 'NEXT WEEK, WE MEET.' This helps solidify the signs in your memory and makes them feel more natural. Remember, ASL is a visual language, so embody the meaning as you sign. Your facial expressions and body language are just as important as your handshapes! Keep practicing, and you'll be signing like a pro in no time!