How do you sign "ARREST?"

Barbaro

Barbaro

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I have seen several signs, arrest. I am aware that ASL websites show the same sign- seize style with both hands. I usually sign it. Sometimes, I sign- catch one finger with my other hand.

What is the most accurate sign for Arrest?

Do any of you ever sign- cuff your wrists with both hands? You cuff your wrist with right hand, then cuff your other wrist with left hand. Is it considered ASL?

Thanks!
 
Grab the left shoulder of clothing roughly with right hand.
 
The most accurate sign would be conceptually correct for the situation.

I've never seen Bott's sign before. But all of the signs up above makes sense.
 
Depends on the context.

For example, if the context was about a police officer pursing a suspect, catching up with him, and then grabbing him for the arrest, then the one hand snatching the 1-hand classifier would be appropriate. If it was about the police serving a warrant on a criminal at his residence, then the two-hand SNATCH might be better to use. A drug raid on a house with several culprits, you might want to sign alternating the left and right hands snatching them up.

Yes, that's a good sign for handcuffs (as shown at Signing Savvy; the "three-step" sign, left-right-together). Can also be modified and used for leg or waist shackles.
 
Barbaro said:
I have seen several signs, arrest. I am aware that ASL websites show the same sign- seize style with both hands. I usually sign it. Sometimes, I sign- catch one finger with my other hand.

What is the most accurate sign for Arrest?

Do any of you ever sign- cuff your wrists with both hands? You cuff your wrist with right hand, then cuff your other wrist with left hand. Is it considered ASL?

Thanks!
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yep. that's what I use. My deaf friends showed me that sign. sometimes - we do use "work" sign (but not repeatedly otherwise it means work) depending on the context.
 
Hmmmm, it seems I learned a strange version for arrest. (closed fists across the chest in an x-shape, symbolizing cuffed hands) :dunno2:
 
posts from hell said:
The most accurate sign would be conceptually correct for the situation.

I've never seen Bott's sign before. But all of the signs up above makes sense.
Click to expand...

I remember that like from childhood. Maybe it isn't even right!

Reba said:
Ouch, you don't mess around! I'll be careful if I sign with you. :giggle:
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:lol: The left shoulder grabbed is your own.

Not that I intend discussing arrest with anyone, but I had better add a different sign to my knowledge base. :hmm:
 
I just looked my sign up and actually it is the first preferred in Martin L Sternberg American Sign Language Dictionary Third edition.

This is used for instruction by the local DAC, so I guess it is still used here.
 
Hold your left hand sign as "penis" and your right hand catch your left hand "penis".
 
I've seen it signed differently from different people.

I've even had several ASL teachers sign it differently and they say theirs is the correct way.

So, who knows what the official ASL sign is?

1.) close your hands and bend them outwards before putting your wrists together with the hands facing away... as if you were actually being arrested

2.) motion of putting the handcuffs on... your right hand on your left wrist (click) then your left hand on your right wrist (click)

3.) same as #1, but to your back instead of your front (since that's how cops really arrest you)

... etc.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have to say Reba's post was articulate. It helped a lot, and will definitely help me sign easier.

I met very few of them do handcuff signs. I have never seen Bott's sign, either. It sounds scary. :)

VamPyroX,

That's what ASL teachers say "theirs is the correct way."

ASL professor from out of state who told me that I should sign Japan- you know, pinky finger is next to the eye, and the rest. I usually sign Japan- fingers outline the shape of island sign. He said that it is political correction. He also said that I should sign pinky finger sign instead, not island sign.

I had two ASL professors from California are Deaf, and hold doctorate degrees had said that "Oh, that's old. We don't sign that anymore."
 
Barbaro said:
...That's what ASL teachers say "theirs is the correct way."
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If they're smart, they'll add the caveat, "This is the way it's most commonly signed at this time, in this location."

It's a good idea to be familiar with the variations even if you stick with one that you prefer. If you meet a signer from another location (or generation) you won't be surprised by a sign variation.

ASL professor from out of state who told me that I should sign Japan- you know, pinky finger is next to the eye, and the rest. I usually sign Japan- fingers outline the shape of island sign. He said that it is political correction. He also said that I should sign pinky finger sign instead, not island sign.
Click to expand...
The way that you sign Japan as an "island-shape" is more politically correct, that is true. It's also now the more accepted and popularly used sign.

I would use whichever sign is more accepted by the group with whom I'm signing, as long as no one in the crowd is offended. When in doubt, ask.

I had two ASL professors from California are Deaf, and hold doctorate degrees had said that "Oh, that's old. We don't sign that anymore."
Click to expand...
Still, you have to be prepared to recognize it when you meet older deaf people. Elderly deaf people like to hang onto "their" signs as much as elderly hearing people like to hang onto "their" terms and sayings. My grandmother continued to say "icebox" instead of refrigerator until she died. Unless they sign something totally offensive to someone else just grin and bear it.
 
VamPyroX said:
I've seen it signed differently from different people.

I've even had several ASL teachers sign it differently and they say theirs is the correct way.

So, who knows what the official ASL sign is?
Click to expand...
Sometimes there is no "official sign" just as there is no "official English word". That's what living language is all about. There will always be variations, especially due to time and place.

In the United States, carbonated drinks are called "soda", "pop", "soda pop", "Coke-Cola" (yes, they pronounce it that way, and they mean all brands), "soft drinks", or, my grandmother's favorite, "flavored sugar water". Is there an "official" word that is accepted by all Americans?

I would be wary of any instructor who refers to his or her signs as "theirs" being the correct way. Language doesn't belong to individuals to control.

Letting academics be in charge of "official" languages is what started the whole SEE mess.
 
rolling7 said:
What about left/right fist behind the back? That's what we use down here.
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My only problem with that one is that it's out of the common signing space, so the sign reader doesn't actually see the sign formed (unless you twirl around). I realize that is a more authentic depiction of the actual cuffing procedure but signs aren't always meant to be graphically accurate renditions. In fact, many have no iconic relationship at all.
 
Yeah, Reba. I had a run-in with a couple cops yesterday evening. They stopped me for having a brake light out and I will spare you the details, but it escalated until they fortunately let me go on my way. I told my hearing friends about the incident, and one thing bothered me...When they said "You are lucky you weren't arrested!" they used a sign of pointing a gun at me while saying "arrested," only they used all four fingers instead of a single trigger finger. They obviously were referring to being tazered. So being tazered is synonymous with being arrested nowadays???? Sigh.
 
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