In the world of finance, clear communication is key. For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language, and understanding financial terms in ASL is crucial for financial literacy and independence. This guide will focus on the sign for “money” in ASL, offering a foundational step in navigating financial conversations within the Deaf community.
The Sign for “Money” in ASL
The ASL sign for “money” is visually intuitive and represents handling physical currency. To sign “money”:
- Hand Shape: Form your dominant hand into a flattened “O” shape, as if you are holding a small coin or a stack of money.
- Movement: Place the flattened “O” hand above the palm of your non-dominant hand (the base hand). Then, gently tap or “smack” the flattened “O” hand twice against the palm of your base hand.
This simple yet effective sign is universally recognized within the ASL community as representing “money.”
Using “Money” in Sentences
Understanding the sign is just the first step. Putting it into context is essential for practical communication. In ASL, sentence structure often differs from English, typically following a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order. For example, to ask “Where do you keep your money?”, the ASL sentence structure and sign order would be:
YOUR MONEY, YOU KEEP WHERE?
This sentence directly translates the concept while adhering to ASL grammatical structure.
Beyond the Basic Sign: Nuances of “Cash” and Related Terms
While the general sign for “money” is fundamental, ASL, like any language, has nuances and specific signs for related concepts. When discussing “cash,” context is important.
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Paper Money (Cash): If you specifically mean paper money, and want to differentiate it from electronic forms of money, the common approach is to fingerspell C-A-S-H.
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Dollar Bill: In situations where you need to be precise, such as needing a single dollar bill for a vending machine and not wanting coins, you can use a descriptive sign: ONE-DOLLAR RECTANGLE. This clearly conveys “a single paper dollar,” followed perhaps by the sign FOR and then miming inserting the dollar into a machine.
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Cashing a Check: The sign for “cashing a check” depends on the intended action.
- Depositing a Check: If you are simply depositing a check, the sign for DEPOSIT is appropriate.
- Getting Cash Back: If you intend to cash the check and receive money back, you would use a combination of signs: DEPOSIT WITHDRAW MONEY. This sequence clearly communicates the action of depositing and then withdrawing cash.
- Exchanging a Check for Cash: You can also use the sign EXCHANGE. For instance, signing “I GO BANK EXCHANGE CHECK” implies the understanding that you are exchanging the check for cash.
Slang and Formal Usage: The “Rubbing Fingers” Gesture
It’s worth noting a common gesture sometimes seen as a representation of “money” – rubbing the fingers together as if feeling paper money. While this gesture exists, it’s considered slang and not a substitute for the formal ASL sign for “money.” It’s informal, lighthearted, and not recommended for professional or formal settings, especially for ASL interpreters.
In conclusion, mastering the ASL sign for “money” is a foundational element in understanding financial literacy within the Deaf community. While slang gestures exist, using the correct and formal ASL signs ensures clear, professional, and respectful communication in financial contexts. Expanding your ASL vocabulary to include these financial terms empowers better communication and understanding in money matters.
