Signs for DISGUISE

Meaning: to give a new appearance to a person or thing, especially in order to hide its true form.

Contextual variation.

Related signs: IMPERSONATE, INCOGNITO, CAMOUFLAGE, HIDE.

Deaf Culture and tidbits

Humor: Really Deaf?

There have been many stories where a hearing person wonders, suspects, or inspects to determine whether a Deaf person they know is really Deaf. It's not uncommon with hearing CODAs (children of Deaf parent) stories.

American coda comedian/performer Keith Wann humored in her comedy show in April 2003 (video) about how he grew up not fully believing that her mother was really Deaf.

After watching his video, I asked my coda who was 11 years old if she had ever doubted that I was Deaf? She laughed, yeah. At what age, did she officially acknowledge that I'm Deaf. She replied age then. Ten?! She explained that at times she just wondered. Just mused.

Likewise, from time to time, a student in my ASL classes, where I taught, would check to determine if her instructor was really Deaf to the point that in her sleep, she dreamed that I vocally spoke which shocked her. Interestingly, she said that the style of my voice in her dream kind of matched my signing style.

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~~ Feeling lucky? ¯\(°_o)/¯ Random word ~~

Search Tips and Pointers

Search/Filter: Enter a keyword in the filter/search box to see a list of available words with the "All" selection. Click on the page number if needed. Click on the blue link to look up the word. For best result, enter a partial word to see variations of the word.

Screenshot of dictionary search with notes
Screenshot of the search dictionary

Alphabetical letters: It's useful for 1) a single-letter word (such as A, B, etc.) and 2) very short words (e.g. "to", "he", etc.) to narrow down the words and pages in the list.

For best result, enter a short word in the search box, then select the alphetical letter (and page number if needed), and click on the blue link.

Screenshot of dictionary search with notes
Screenshot of the search dictionary

Don't forget to click "All" back when you search another word with a different initial letter.

If you cannot find (perhaps overlook) a word but you can still see a list of links, then keep looking until the links disappear! Sharpening your eye or maybe refine your alphabetical index skill. :)

Add a Word: This dictionary is not exhaustive; ASL signs are constantly added to the dictionary. If you don't find a word/sign, you can send your request (only if a single link doesn't show in the result).

Videos: The first video may be NOT the answer you're looking for. There are several signs for different meanings, contexts, and/or variations. Browsing all the way down to the next search box is highly recommended.

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ASL has its own grammar and structure in sentences that works differently from English. For plurals, verb inflections, word order, etc., learn grammar in the "ASL Learn" section. For search in the dictionary, use the present-time verbs and base words. If you look for "said", look up the word "say". Likewise, if you look for an adjective word, try the noun or vice versa. E.g. The ASL signs for French and France are the same. If you look for a plural word, use a singular word.