Question regarding using synonyms for words not found in ASL Dictionary

Dixie

Dixie

Farting Snowflakes
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As you know I have been learning ASL and now Im starting to get the grammatical stuff down - although I admit it does send my brain for a loop when I know in English its incorrect.

But that is not my question, my question is that when is it appropriate to use a synonym for a word not found in the ASL Dictionary (and all have been thoroughly searched) and exchanged for a similar word in the dictionary? I do know that words based on their context can have varied meanings somewhat in ASL.

Like for example:
The word grateful is not found in ASL Pro nor ASL Browser so I substitute with 'appreciative'.

The context would be:
I APPRECIATIVE. (trying to say Im grateful).

Would this be correct and appropriate? Also when would this be inappropriate?
 
signing "thank you" in a more exaggerated way or repeatively is probably more appropriate if u want to say "I am grateful." It is all about the concept not substituting each English word. Just think of the conceptual meaning rather than the English word and it should get easier.
 
shel90 said:
signing "thank you" in a more exaggerated way or repeatively is probably more appropriate if u want to say "I am grateful." It is all about the concept not substituting each English word. Just think of the conceptual meaning rather than the English word and it should get easier.
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Exactly. To be grateful is to be thankful.
 
Translating from one language to another is never a word-to-sign or word-to-word matching process. The core meaning (concept) is what is translated, except in the case of proper names or technical terms. Those are usually spelled, abbreviated, or assigned mutually agreed upon name signs.

Some translations also require expansion or cultural context.

Is that clear as mud? :lol:

"THANK-YOU" for "grateful" is a good choice. :)
 
shel90 said:
signing "thank you" in a more exaggerated way or repeatively is probably more appropriate if u want to say "I am grateful." It is all about the concept not substituting each English word. Just think of the conceptual meaning rather than the English word and it should get easier.
Click to expand...

Yeah. It took me a while to figure this one out. If I were to say I'm really grateful, I'd sign thank you with both hands instead of just one hand.
 
I also found a book of homonyms helpful when I was first learning to think in concept rather than word equivilant.
 
Yup - its crystal clear Reba, :lol:

I do get it now. I admit its hard to try and not English-ize ASL. As I said, it does send my brain for a loop from time to time, but I feel that Im slowly getting there.

One thing I have tried remembering though is when talking about people and places, to set your place first then talk about what the people are doing in those places.

BTW - where could I get access to homonyms online?? If its helped others, it may help me as well.
 
deafskeptic said:
Yeah. It took me a while to figure this one out. If I were to say I'm really grateful, I'd sign thank you with both hands instead of just one hand.
Click to expand...

I do the same too with the use of both hands when signing "grateful"
 
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