Traveling is an exciting part of life, and being able to communicate about travel in American Sign Language (ASL) opens up a world of conversation within the Deaf community. This guide will teach you the ASL sign for “travel,” its nuances, and related vocabulary to enhance your signing skills.
The ASL Sign for Travel: Definition and Pronunciation
In ASL, “travel” is defined as going from one place to another, whether for leisure or necessity, using various modes of transportation like cars, trains, planes, or ships. The sign for “travel” effectively conveys this sense of movement and journey.
To pronounce the sign for “travel” in ASL:
- Handshape: Form your dominant hand into a “clawed 2” handshape. This means your index and middle fingers are slightly curved and separated from your thumb, while your ring and pinky fingers are bent into the palm.
- Orientation: Position your dominant hand with the palm facing about halfway down or slightly outward from your body.
- Location: Start the sign in neutral space in front of you.
- Movement: Move your “clawed 2” hand in a semi-circular motion. The movement starts slightly rightward, arcs upward, and finishes leftward. Imagine your fingers are depicting a journey through the air.
This single, fluid motion effectively communicates the concept of Travel In Asl.
Learner Tip for Signing Travel in ASL
A common mistake for beginners learning ASL is to use two hands when signing “travel,” often mirroring the motion with their non-dominant hand. However, the correct sign for “travel” is a one-handed sign. Focus on using only your dominant hand to execute the semi-circular movement to accurately sign “travel” in ASL. Using just one hand will make your signing clearer and more easily understood by native ASL users.
Historical ASL Signs for Travel
It’s interesting to note how sign language evolves over time. Older descriptions of the sign for “travel” in ASL offer a glimpse into its historical variations.
In 1910, a description noted two ways to sign “travel”:
- Using a “G” handshape (which refers to the index finger or “1” handshape), point the forefinger outward and push it outward with a winding or slightly zig-zag motion.
- Move the “G” hand, with the forefinger pointing down, in a semicircle with a circular twirling motion.
Another description from 1923 suggested:
- Signing “railroad.”
- Moving the index finger in a roundabout way in front of you and above your head.
These older variations highlight the dynamic nature of language and how signs can change and simplify over time. The modern “clawed 2” handshape sign is a more concise and widely accepted way to sign “travel” today.
Expanding Your Vocabulary: Related Travel Words in ASL
Once you’ve mastered “travel,” you can expand your ASL vocabulary with related words to discuss different aspects of journeys and destinations. Consider learning signs for related terms such as:
- TRIP: Often used for shorter journeys or outings.
- TREK: Signifying a long and often challenging journey.
- JOURNEY: Emphasizing the process of traveling from one place to another.
- HIKE: Specifically referring to walking in nature for travel or recreation.
- VOYAGE: Typically used for long journeys by sea or space.
- TOUR: Traveling to visit different places, often for sightseeing.
- ADVENTURE: Highlighting the exciting and sometimes risky nature of travel.
Learning these related signs will enable you to have richer conversations about travel experiences in ASL.
Written ASL for Travel
While ASL is primarily a visual language, there are systems for writing ASL. Written ASL is not officially standardized and is still evolving, but it provides a way to represent signs in written form.
This image shows one representation of written ASL for “TRAVEL.” It’s a visual representation of the sign using specific symbols.
Here is a variation of written ASL for “TRAVEL,” contributed by the ASLwrite community. These examples illustrate the ongoing development and exploration within written ASL.
Conclusion
Learning to sign “travel” in ASL is a fundamental step in discussing journeys and experiences in sign language. By understanding the correct pronunciation, avoiding common beginner mistakes, and exploring related vocabulary, you can effectively communicate about travel within the ASL community. As you continue your ASL journey, remember that language is constantly evolving, and exploring historical variations and written forms adds depth to your understanding and appreciation of ASL.
