How to Sign Failure in American Sign Language (ASL)

Introduction to Failure in ASL

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language used by many Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the United States and parts of Canada. Just like spoken languages, ASL has words, phrases, and signs that convey meaning. One such sign is for the word failure. Whether you’re communicating about personal setbacks, misunderstandings, or difficulties in achieving something, the sign for failure is essential to know. It’s useful in many everyday situations.

In this article, we will take you through the process of signing failure in ASL. You will learn about the handshape, the position of the hands, and the movement involved in signing failure. We will also discuss the importance of facial expressions and other non-manual markers that are key to conveying the right meaning. Additionally, we will go over variations in different regions, how to practice this sign, and how you can use it in daily conversations. Let’s begin by understanding the basics of this sign.

Basic Handshape and Orientation of Failure in ASL

Before learning the full step-by-step process for signing failure, it’s important to first understand the handshape and the orientation of the sign. This is a crucial part of any ASL sign, as the shape of the hands and their positioning tell you a lot about the sign itself.

Handshape: To sign failure, the hands will form the shape of the letter F in ASL. An F is made by touching the tips of your thumb and index finger together while keeping the other fingers relaxed and open. The thumb and index finger should form a small O shape.
Orientation: The orientation of the hands is important to making the sign clear. For failure, your palms should face each other at chest height. The F shapes will be facing each other with the thumbs pointing outward.
Position: Place both hands in front of your chest, one slightly above the other. The palms should face each other, but your fingers should not be touching each other. The space between your hands should not be wide, and they should be close to your chest.

Now that you know the basic handshape and orientation, you’re ready to learn the full signing instructions.

Step-by-Step Signing Instructions for Failure in ASL

Once you understand the handshape and orientation, it’s time to learn how to put it all together and perform the full sign for failure.

Begin with the F handshape: Start by forming the F handshape with both of your hands. Touch the tips of your thumb and index finger together and keep your other fingers relaxed and open. Your hands should be at chest height.
Position your hands properly: Place both hands in front of your chest. One hand should be slightly above the other. Make sure the palms are facing each other, and the F shapes are facing each other as well. Your hands should be around 6 to 8 inches apart.
Move your hands downward: To sign failure, move both hands downward simultaneously in a quick motion. As you move your hands downward, make sure your F handshapes stay in place. The movement should be smooth and not too fast.
End the sign: Your hands should come to rest with both hands facing downward, close to the level of your stomach. It’s important that you do not make the movement too wide or exaggerated. The movement should be subtle, but clear.

That’s the basic way to sign failure in ASL. The movement, orientation, and handshapes should all come together naturally with practice.

Facial Expressions and Non-Manual Markers for Failure in ASL

In American Sign Language, facial expressions and non-manual markers (NMMs) are a key part of the language. These elements provide context, emotion, and clarity to your signs. For the sign failure, adding the right facial expressions is especially important. They help to convey the feeling of disappointment, frustration, or any other emotion associated with failure.

Facial expressions for failure: When signing failure, it’s common to show a facial expression of disappointment, frustration, or sadness. This is because failure often conveys a negative or difficult experience. Raising your eyebrows slightly and tilting your head forward can help show that you’re expressing a feeling of disappointment.
Non-manual markers: Non-manual markers (NMMs) are facial movements and other body language that are used alongside signs to add meaning. For the sign failure, it’s important to use the right NMMs to match the emotional tone of the sign. For example, you might shake your head slightly while signing failure to indicate that something didn’t work out. This helps emphasize the negative connotation of failure.
Tone and body language: Keep your body language relaxed but expressive. The sign itself is relatively straightforward, but your body should help convey the emotional weight of the word. You may want to avoid making the sign too quick or abrupt, as that could make it seem less sincere.

Using the right facial expressions and NMMs is vital for giving the sign its full emotional weight. In ASL, it’s not just about the hands — the whole body plays a role in communication.

Common Variations and Regional Differences for Failure in ASL

Just like any language, ASL can have regional variations. This means that some signs may look a little different depending on where you are in the United States or who you are talking to. While the basic sign for failure is fairly consistent, there are some minor variations that you may encounter.

Regional differences: In some parts of the country, you may see slight changes in the movement or positioning of the hands. Some people might use one hand for the sign instead of two, while others may use a wider or narrower space between their hands. These variations can be influenced by the local Deaf community and its specific way of signing.
Personal style: Everyone has their own style when it comes to signing. Some people may make the downward motion of the hands more dramatic, while others may do it more subtly. Both are correct, as long as the meaning is clear. It’s important to remember that signing style can vary based on personal preference and experience.
Learning ASL: If you are just starting to learn ASL, it’s a good idea to ask Deaf people or other ASL learners about the variations you may encounter. This will help you understand how different communities use the language and allow you to sign in a way that respects regional and cultural differences.

Understanding these variations will help you be more flexible in your signing and aware of different ways people may sign failure.

Practicing and Politeness for Failure in ASL

Learning any new sign requires practice. It’s especially important to practice signs like failure so you can use them effectively in everyday conversations. Here are some tips to help you practice and ensure you use the sign politely:

Practice in front of a mirror: Practice the sign in front of a mirror to check if you are using the right handshape, orientation, and facial expression. Seeing yourself can help you adjust any mistakes and make your sign more natural.
Practice with others: One of the best ways to improve your signing is to practice with other people. If you have friends or family who know ASL, try using the sign in conversations. This will help you feel more comfortable using it in real-life situations.
Politeness and context: Like any language, it’s important to be polite when using ASL. Use the sign failure in appropriate situations, and be mindful of the person you are communicating with. If someone shares a failure or setback with you, it’s important to listen respectfully and offer support. Politeness is key in any language.
Slow down: When practicing new signs, take your time. Don’t rush through the movements. Focus on making each part of the sign clear, especially the facial expression and body language.

By practicing regularly, you’ll be able to use the sign failure naturally and respectfully.

Using Failure in Everyday Situations

The sign for failure is used in many situations, especially when talking about struggles, setbacks, or things not going as planned. Here are some common ways to use the sign in everyday conversations:

Talking about personal experiences: If you’re talking about a time when something didn’t work out, you might use the sign failure to explain what happened. For example, if you didn’t pass a test, you could sign about the failure of not achieving the result you wanted.
Describing difficulties: You may also use the sign when discussing challenges or difficulties you’ve faced. Whether it’s in work, relationships, or personal goals, failure can help you explain moments where things didn’t go as expected.
Empathy and understanding: When someone shares their disappointment with you, you can use the sign failure to express understanding. This shows that you recognize their struggles and can empathize with their feelings of not succeeding.
Encouraging others: If someone is feeling down about a failure, you can use the sign to offer comfort. By acknowledging their feelings of failure, you can provide a space for them to express themselves and perhaps find ways to try again.

Using failure in these everyday situations helps you communicate openly and authentically, especially when talking about more difficult topics.

Additional Signs for Failure

While failure is a key sign, there are other related signs that might be useful to know:

Try again: If you’ve experienced failure but want to express the idea of trying once more, you can use the sign for try again. This is especially helpful in contexts where you want to encourage someone to keep going after a setback.
Success: The opposite of failure is success. Knowing the sign for success can be helpful if you want to talk about overcoming failure or achieving a goal after facing setbacks.
Mistake: Another sign related to failure is mistake. You can use this sign to talk about errors or missteps that may have contributed to the failure.
Disappointed: If you want to describe the feeling of disappointment after failure, there’s a sign for disappointed that can be used alongside the sign for failure.

Knowing these additional signs will give you more ways to talk about failure and related emotions.

Cultural Considerations of Failure in ASL

When signing failure in ASL, it’s important to consider the cultural context in which the sign is used. The Deaf community values open communication, honesty, and respect. When discussing personal setbacks or failure, it’s essential to approach the topic with sensitivity.

In some cultures, failure might be seen as something to be hidden or avoided. However, in Deaf culture, being open about struggles and challenges is more common. People may use the sign to express vulnerability and seek support from others. Therefore, when you use the sign failure, make sure to be understanding and empathetic to the person’s feelings.

Conclusion of Failure

The sign for failure in ASL is a useful and important part of communicating about setbacks, challenges, and disappointments. By understanding the handshape, movement, and facial expressions involved, you can use this sign effectively and respectfully in conversations. Practice is key to becoming fluent in ASL, and by using the sign in real-life situations, you can connect with others more authentically.

To learn more and continue your journey in American Sign Language, visit ASL Sign Languages.