Ok so I'm brushing up on my ASL, question.

ladysolitary85

ladysolitary85

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Is the right hand ALWAYS the dominate one? What if your left handed? (my case) Can you sign as a lefty or would that confuse the viewer too much?
 
You sign with your dominate hand. It's easier for you and more comfortable. Honestly I haven't met a left handed signer, and if I have I didn't notice which hand was dominate.
 
I can switch back and forth.. The rule is generally if you start off with one dominant hand, you stick with that hand throughout the conversation.
 
Thanks for clarifying that for me guys! I was having issues training my right hand just because it felt awkward lol
 
Thats what Ive been trying to teach my son. He keeps switching his hands, which gets annoying for me.

But yes, you sign with your dominating hand, whether it be right or left. :)
 
posts from hell said:
I can switch back and forth.. The rule is generally if you start off with one dominant hand, you stick with that hand throughout the conversation.
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Exactly.

If you're left handed, that's perfectly fine to use your left hand as dominant, but be consistent with it.
 
Right handed people = right hand is dominant
Left handed people = left hand is dominant
Ambidextrous people = :confused:
 
ladysolitary85 said:
Is the right hand ALWAYS the dominate one? What if your left handed? (my case) Can you sign as a lefty or would that confuse the viewer too much?
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Your dominant hand is the hand with which you write, eat, and do most of your other tasks with. If you are left-handed, use your left hand. It's not confusing if you are consistent. It could be confusing only if you constantly switch back and forth during a conversation.
 
I've seen several lefty signers. It's no big deal.
 
Jiro said:
yes
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I'm sorry but that's not correct.

The dominant hand for a right-handed person is the right hand.

The dominant hand for a left-handed person is the left hand.

Why do you think it would have to be referred to as "dominant" hand if it's always the right hand? If it it was always the right hand, they would just say, "Use your right hand."

No, the dominant hand depends on the individual.
 
I was told to use the hand you are most comfortable with and stick with it.

As for the dominant hand, I think the question sounded confusing. It could be read more than one way.

"Is the right hand ALWAYS the dominate one?"
1. Am I supposed to use my right hand?
2. Which hand is most oftenly seen in the signing community? (In other words, more rights than left, most likely true)

I blame it on English, certain ways things are written confuse the readers.
 
naisho said:
I was told to use the hand you are most comfortable with and stick with it.

As for the dominant hand, I think the question sounded confusing. It could be read more than one way.

"Is the right hand ALWAYS the dominate one?"
1. Am I supposed to use my right hand?
2. Which hand is most oftenly seen in the signing community? (In other words, more rights than left, most likely true)

I blame it on English, certain ways things are written confuse the readers.
Click to expand...

Ni hao?
 
Reba said:
I'm sorry but that's not correct.

The dominant hand for a right-handed person is the right hand.

The dominant hand for a left-handed person is the left hand.

Why do you think it would have to be referred to as "dominant" hand if it's always the right hand? If it it was always the right hand, they would just say, "Use your right hand."

No, the dominant hand depends on the individual.
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ah I was thinking differently. I was thinking in context of population. Majority of signers are right-hand. I misunderstood. oopsie daisy :Oops:
 
Jiro said:
ah I was thinking differently. I was thinking in context of population. Majority of signers are right-hand. I misunderstood. oopsie daisy :Oops:
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That's OK. :)

"Dominant" in this context means stronger, not more common.
 
One of the online programs I am using was set up and is taught by a left handed person. I thought it would make a difference but it doesn't, not at all.
 
I fall into the ambidextrous category. I write and eat with my left hand. But I perform a lot of tasks with my right hand such as deboning chickens, cutting food, shooting a basketball, leading a dog.

I know when I do sign I have a habit of switching, especially if it is an ASL performance for my church.
 
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