sign for "democrat" and "where"

A

apathrev

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Am I mistaken or is the same sign used for both the words "democrat" and "where": the d handshape waved in the air? How is one supposed to distinguish between the two? Or does it just depend on context?
 
it depends on what you're talking about.. if you're talking about politics.. and you use democrat.. we'll know what you're talking about.. if you use "where" there's an expression along with the sign.
 
LOL, yeah sometimes it similar to "D*ck" sign, LOL!!!!!!

Suck my d*ck!!!! LOL!!!!!

LOL, Democraps!!!
 
I'd like to comment that while they're not the same sign exactly they're very similar... like 'movie' and 'cheese' only moreso. >>

It's kind of hard to describe this, but the main difference between 'democrat' and 'where' is where the motion is occuring. With 'democrat' the motion occurs in the wrist; your wrist is moving back and forth and your hand and fingers with it. With 'where', your finger is actually what is moving, your hand with it. 'Where' also has a slight pivot to the wrist which doesn't exist with democrat. The difference in the signs is very little, but if you're not rushing I think a lot of signers would get which you were attempting to do if there's context and maybe also even if there isn't.
 
cental34 said:
Am I mistaken or is the same sign used for both the words "democrat" and "where": the d handshape waved in the air? How is one supposed to distinguish between the two? Or does it just depend on context?
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It's not the same but almost alike, With "where" you move just your finger, but with "democrat" you move with the letter 'D'. ;)

Anything else? :)
 
the distinction between these two signs:

DEMOCRAT: you hold the handshape and move rather slightly, maintaining that the handshape points up.

WHERE: the handshape is moved much more, such that the index finger actually moves in a waving motion.
 
Cheri said:
It's not the same but almost alike, With "where" you move just your finger, but with "democrat" you move with the letter 'D'. ;)
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Correct! "Where" is signed using the "1" handshape, and "Democrat" is signed using the "D" handshape.

"Democrat" is usually signed towards the left of the body, and "Republican" "R" is signed to the right. "Where" is towards the front of the body, or directional if it fits the context.
 
Cheri said:
It's not the same but almost alike, With "where" you move just your finger, but with "democrat" you move with the letter 'D'. ;)

Anything else? :)
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Correct sis!... :thumb:
 
Reba said:
Correct! "Where" is signed using the "1" handshape, and "Democrat" is signed using the "D" handshape.

"Democrat" is usually signed towards the left of the body, and "Republican" "R" is signed to the right. "Where" is towards the front of the body, or directional if it fits the context.
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Ok. See our instructor used the D handshape for "where." I couldn't distinguish. Thank you for clarifying.
 
The biggest difference between "where" and "democrat" whether or not you use a "1" or "d" handshape for where, no matter the context, is facial expression. If you are asking a "wh" question, your eyebrows go down. If you are using "where" rhetorically, your eyebrows go up. Either way, that should be a clue.
 
cental34 said:
Ok. See our instructor used the D handshape for "where." I couldn't distinguish. Thank you for clarifying.
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Sometimes people get a little "loose" with their handshapes. :)

As you gain experience and exposure to a variety of Deaf people, you will notice that there is the "textbook" way to sign, and the "real life" way to sign. As a student and terp you should follow the book way but as a person who will mingle with the Deaf community, you need to learn how to recognize sign formation variety. Men sign differently from women, kids sign differently from adults, and people with arthritis or other physical problems modify their signs in a variety of ways. Add to that mix regional signs, level of formality, and personal flair.

Also, practice watching signers from side views, and over their shoulders from behind. Have fun!
 
in CT, we sign "D" for democrats. I made up a sign that is based on "lie". you just point your nose and go from there to chin and do a "lie" sign. Both republicans and democrats/liberals have different perspectives.
 
rjr
I made up a sign that is based on "lie". you just point your nose and go from there to chin and do a "lie" sign. Both republicans and democrats/liberals have different perspectives.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Is U a Leader in CommunityQQ
If not this made up sign is home sign only be use by U family & friend not in community...
Why cuz U use this sign around new ppl learn ASL they think this correct sign.. when they use ur sign othr ppl who learn asl correct way will think this new sign for what ever sign U sign to othr prsn...
Only Learders in our communitys may chane signs.. homesign is just that!
No I not put U down just want ppl who don't know about how new signs is made. they know now!
Hmm do U know what ur made sign really meansQQ LOL
There is a true ASL sign word for it....

LMM
 
In my area, the old ASL sign for WHAT is the number-one handshape shaken back and forth and it doesn't mean WHERE. The old sign for where was simply both hands with opened hands with palms facing up shaken back and forth. The reason this was signed for what is that it was a condensed version of actually drawing a question mark in the air.

I have heard some funny stories of people going out of state and having some confusion over what and where. LOL.

BTW, I prefer to use old ASL signs.
 
Lol, Daft, now lookit what you did; you set back modern signers 50 years! Everybody's baffled! :laugh2:
 
Tousi,

LOL. It's really kind of fun using old ASL signs instead of the newer signs. Once I signed "sleep in" with a CODA interpreter using the old ASL and the interpreter burst into a large smile. I asked her "what?" - with one handshape moving back and forth :laugh2: and she said she was so happy to see that sign! It reminded her of her parents and of home.
 
Cheri said:
It's not the same but almost alike, With "where" you move just your finger, but with "democrat" you move with the letter 'D'. ;)

Anything else? :)
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As ASL professor, I would say that Cheri is right. same movement, same location, same orienation but different handshape - HS:1 then HS:D
 
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