OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack-OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack CirclesMidline-CirclesMidline

American Sign Language

Etymology

From obsolete sign OpenA@DistalInsideChesthigh-OpenA@DistalInsideChinhigh Upanddown-Upanddown, apparently imitative of typical mannerisms of theatrical performers when the sign was created.

Production

This entry needs a photograph or drawing for illustration. Please try to find a suitable image on Wikimedia Commons or upload one there yourself!

This two-handed ASL sign is produced as follows:
1. Posture the nondominant hand in the “open A” handshape about half arm’s length in front of the nondominant side of the chest, thumb of the nondominant hand pointing back. Posture the dominant hand in the “open A” handshape about half arm’s length in front of the dominant side of the chest, thumb of the dominant hand pointing back.
2. Move both hands through the following posture in alternating circles brushing the chest, then down, forward, and up with each circle.

Hold-move chart for OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack-OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack CirclesMidline-CirclesMidline

dominant hand (strong)	type contour plane quality local movement	move round (rnd) midline plane (MP) contacting (contact)
	Hand configuration Part of hand Proximity Spatial relation Contact location Part of hand facing Facing location Part of hand oriented Plane of orientation	‘open A’ (Au) whole hand at (c) near breast sternum high (p1ST) thumb (TH) body or other hand (SP) hand midline plane (MP)	‘open A’ (Au) thumb (TH) at (c) ipsi. side of chest (iCH) thumb (TH) body or other hand (SP) hand midline plane (MP)
nondominant hand (weak)	type contour plane quality local movement	move round (rnd) midline plane (MP) contacting (contact)
	Hand configuration Part of hand Proximity Spatial relation Contact location Part of hand facing Facing location Part of hand oriented Plane of orientation	‘open A’ (Au) whole hand at (c) near breast trunk high (p1TR) thumb (TH) body or other hand (SP) hand midline plane (MP)	‘open A’ (Au) whole hand at (c) out from breast (m1CH) thumb (TH) body or other hand (SP) hand midline plane (MP)

Stokoe: []A^.A^.V_T^~

Verb

‌If you can, please upload a png or jpg image showing the production of this sign. (ASL gloss: ACT)

(theater) to act in a play; to perform drama

Derived terms

OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack-OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack CirclesMidline-CirclesMidline FlatB@InsideChesthigh-FlatB@InsideChesthigh FlatB@InsideTrunkhigh-FlatB@InsideTrunkhigh (“actor; actress”)

Noun

‌If you can, please upload a png or jpg image showing the production of this sign. (ASL gloss: DRAMA)

(theater) play; show; act; theatrical performance
OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack-OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack CirclesMidline-CirclesMidline 1@CenterChesthigh-FingerBack Open8@NearChest-PalmBack 8@FromChest-PalmBack-8@DistalChest-PalmBack Bent5@InsideChesthigh-PalmAcross-Bent5@InsideChesthigh-PalmAcross Round-Round Bent5@SideChesthigh-PalmAcross-Bent5@SideChesthigh-PalmAcross OpenB@NearSfhead-ThumbAside Y@FromSfhead-ThumbAside V@TipFinger-FingerUp-V@CenterChesthigh-FingerUp V@SideChesthigh-FingerUp-V@SideChesthigh-FingerUp H@Nose-FingerUp Contact N@NearNose-PalmBack H@Nose-FingerUp Contact N@NearNose-PalmBack

(ASL Gloss) PLAY I LIKE A-LOT WHY PLAY VERY FUNNY.

"I like the play a lot because it's very funny."
drama (the art)
(figuratively) drama; dramatic situation in real life
actor; actress

Usage notes

(actor; actress): With this sense, this sign is an abbreviation of OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack-OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack CirclesMidline-CirclesMidline FlatB@InsideChesthigh-FlatB@InsideChesthigh FlatB@InsideTrunkhigh-FlatB@InsideTrunkhigh (“actor; actress”)