ASL Nouns vs Verbs: Their Differences in American Sign Language
Some nouns and verbs in American Sign Language (ASL) have the same handshapes. You distinguish the part of speech by signing the motion once if it is a verb and twice if it’s a noun.
Although most nouns do not have a verb that looks the same, all but a few nouns need double motion.
This table contains a few common noun and verb pairs.
The following examples compare the noun/verb differences:
- English: Please sit in this chair.
- Sign: THIS CHAIR (point) — PLEASE — SIT
ASL Nouns vs Verbs
In American Sign Language (ASL), the difference between nouns and verbs is the movement pattern of a sign:
Nouns: Usually have a shorter, repeated motion. For example, to sign the noun “chair”, you would use a short, repeated movement.
Verbs: Usually have a longer, singular motion. For example, to sign the verb “sit”, you would use a single, deliberate motion.
Noun/verb pairs are sets of signs that share the same handshape, orientation, and general movement path, but differ in their movement patterns.
This distinction helps ASL users understand the relationship between an object and its function or use.
You can also distinguish between nouns and verbs in ASL by signing the motion once if it’s a verb and twice if it’s a noun.
Are Nouns or Verbs Signed Twice in ASL?
Verbs (of noun/verb pairs) use a single movement. Nouns (of noun/verb pairs) use a double movement.
A good example of a noun-verb pair is the “CHAIR/SIT.” If I do this motion once, it means to sit.
How to Tell the Difference Between a Noun and a Verb?
In grammar, nouns are words that name persons, places, or things, and often serve as the subject or object of a verb.
Verbs are words used to show actions, states, or relations between things.
What is the Noun-verb Rule in ASL?
Some nouns and verbs in American Sign Language (ASL) share the same handshapes.
You distinguish the part of speech by signing the motion once if it is a verb and twice if it’s a noun.
Although most nouns do not have a verb that looks the same, all but a few nouns need double motion.
Are Nouns in ASL Signed Once or Twice?
In ASL sentences, this distinction helps in identifying nouns and verbs.
Noun-verb pairings in ASL feature distinct actions but the same handshape and position.
Verbs are signed with a single, greater movement, and nouns are usually signed with two movements.