In this lesson, you will discover how to communicate 9 different colors using American Sign Language.
Colors in ASL video
Using classifiers in Color Signs
The golden entity of the position or motion symbolizes a hand formation that utilizes a classifier hand formation to gesture the shade golden, for instance, a golden sphere or the form of a golden blossom. To convey the desired shade, employ a hand formation that symbolizes the form or magnitude of the entity employing a classifier. In the realm of space, entities shift or interact with one another, and classifiers that symbolize entities or concepts, namely hand formations, are employed to illustrate how entities shift or interact with one another. Colors in American Sign Language (ASL) can be conveyed through the utilization of classifiers, which is one of the most prevalent methods of signing colors.
The use of descriptive signs in Color Signs
Another way to describe the characteristics of an object is to use descriptive signs that involve facial expressions, movements, and combinations of handshapes. For example, you might use a handshape that represents the letter “R” and is colored blue or red. If you wanted to convey the coolness of blue or the intensity and warmth of red, you would move your handshape in a way that reflects the character of that color.
Making a downward motion with your dominant hand in front of your body and placing your non-dominant hand represents the darkness or absence of light. This gesture for the color black is widely acknowledged among the Deaf community. Similarly, a circular motion in front of your body with your dominant hand represents the brightness or purity of a color. This gesture for the color white is also widely recognized within the Deaf community. Additionally, there are specific signs in ASL for certain colors that have gained wide recognition among the Deaf community.
The colors of signs may vary from region to region, and the same sign in different languages may have different colors. It is important to note that American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language based on visual concepts rather than spoken language.
19 colors with descriptions
Color | ASL Sign Description |
---|---|
Red | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the thumb extended, then move it forward from the mouth area, ending with the thumb pointing down. |
Blue | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the pinky extended, then move it forward from the forehead area, ending with the pinky pointing down. |
Green | Hold both hands in front of the body, palms facing each other. Move the hands back and forth while keeping them apart, as if showing the growth of a plant. |
Yellow | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the index finger extended, then move it forward from the chin area, ending with the finger pointing up. |
Orange | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the index and pinky fingers extended, then move it forward from the mouth area, ending with the fingers pointing down. |
Purple | Hold both hands in front of the body, palms facing each other. Cross the hands at the wrists, then move them apart while keeping the palms facing each other. |
Black | Hold the non-dominant hand out in front of the body, palm facing up. Bring the dominant hand down from above the non-dominant hand, fingers slightly spread, and tap the palm of the non-dominant hand. |
White | Hold the dominant hand in a loose fist, then move it in a circular motion in front of the body, ending with the palm facing outward. |
Gray | Hold both hands in front of the body, palms facing down. Move the hands back and forth while keeping them together, as if showing the texture of a surface. |
Pink | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the pinky finger extended, then move it forward from the nose area, ending with the pinky pointing up. |
Brown | Hold both hands in front of the body, palms facing each other. Move the hands up and down while keeping them apart, as if showing the texture of wood. |
Beige | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the thumb extended, then move it forward from the forehead area, ending with the thumb pointing down. |
Turquoise | Hold both hands in front of the body, palms facing down. Move the hands back and forth while keeping them apart, as if showing the texture of water. |
Lavender | Hold both hands in front of the body, palms facing each other. Cross the hands at the wrists, then move them apart while keeping the palms facing each other. |
Maroon | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the index and middle fingers extended, then move it forward from the forehead area, ending with the fingers pointing down. |
Gold | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the index and middle fingers extended and the thumb holding down the ring and pinky fingers. Move the hand forward from the chest area, ending with the fingers pointing up. |
Silver | Hold both hands in front of the body, palms facing down. Move the hands back and forth while keeping them together, as if showing the texture of a surface. |
Navy blue | Hold the right hand in a loose fist with the middle finger extended, then move it forward from the forehead area, ending with the finger pointing down. |
Teal | Hold both hands in front of the body, palms facing each other. Move the hands back and forth while keeping them apart, as if showing the texture of water. |
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