Seattle Central Community
College
ASL 122
Compound Signs In ASL
Compound signs are signs that
combine the elements of two signs to form one sign which has a meaning different
than the meaning of the two signs separately.
English has compound words:
CUP
+ BOARD = CUPBOARD. The
meaning does not mean that cups are on a board, or the board is for cups only,
though initially this may have been true.
BLACK
+ BOARD =
BLACKBOARD.
Blackboards certainly aren't limited to the color black, though initially
this may have been true. Another example of compounds in English is
JUMPSUIT.
Originally used for by parachuters to jump with, but now it can mean any apparel
of similar design, regardless of its purpose.
ASL also contains several compound signs. Many compound signs have formed over a period of time ('assimilated') so that they appear as one sign. Very few people know that the sign REMEMBER is an assimilated compound of the signs KNOW + CONTINUE. Similarly, the sign HOME is a compound of EAT + BED. Even newer compound signs will show some handshape or movement changes. The sign for WAITRESS is a compound of the signs GIRL + SERVE. The double motion in GIRL is reduced so that it takes less time to produce than it would if it were a separate sign.
Other signs and meanings of ASL compound signs:
Compound Signs Meanings
EAT +
MORNING
Breakfast
EAT +
NOON Lunch
EAT +
EVENING
Dinner
BED+
SOFT
Pillow
THINK +
SAME-AS
Just as if, For example, It's like...
FACE +
STRONG
Strongly resemble
FACE +
SAME-AS
Look like, resemble
THINK +
EASY It's a snap, not difficult
THINK +
TOUCH
Dwell on, obsessive
MONEY +
BEHIND
Money in reserve
TRUE +
WORK Really mean it, serious about it, not joking
TALK +
NAME Mention, talk about
FOOD +
BUY Grocery shopping
GOOD +
ENOUGH
Adequate
WRONG +
HAPPEN
Accidentally, unexpectedly, coincidentally
SLEEP +
CLOTHING
Pajamas, nightgown
SLEEP +
SUNRISE
Oversleep, sleep in
MOTHER +
FATHER
Parents
BROTHER +
SISTER
Siblings
JESUS +
BOOK
Bible
RED +
SLICE Tomato