CAR in sign language

Imagine scruffy cavemen longing for fast transportation beyond their natural hairy two-legged locomotion. First, they invented a ride on the back of some furry four-legged creature. Fast forward to 1886, their descendants invented a big motor version of a tricycle, err, three-wheeled motor-wagon. Today, everyone drives an SUV (except for a few minimalists, including myself).

ASL signs for "car"

Here is a few common signed words in American Sign Language. These two common usages are often interchangeable, if not always. Plus some more vocabulary.

Definition: A road vehicle or automobile, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people.

Pronunciation (sign description): Two "S" hands or fists with palms facing signer held apart in space moves up and down alternately few times. Think of a steering wheel as a mnemonic.

A tip for ASL learners is to pay close attention to your handshape which should be "S". Commonly, some beginners use the erroneous "10" handshape. Another, don't confuse this similar sign with DRIVE

This fingerspelled loan is also commonly used.

Usage example: (ASL glossed as) "RECENTLY IX-me BUY NEW #CAR!"

Pronunciation (sign description): Fingerspelling.

Variations; probably less common use than the other two above, especially for adults. Use often seen in deaf schools in the 1980s.

Vocabulary

Related signs: VEHICLE, INSURANCE, BUS, , MOTORCYCLE, TRANSPORTATION, TRUCK.

Parts of a car: HEADLIGHT, WINDSHIELD.

For most car makes, fingerspelling is commonly used; although, some signs exist for some car makes in other foreign sign languages such as one in Kuwait (guys who love driving fast whether it's a car or a jet ski).

Usage/Grammar

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Language learning, language play, etc.

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Some word entries have one of some tidbits in this section, such as minimal pairs of sign words, rhymes, etc. usually related to or associated with its word entry.

Written ASL

[Note: ASL writing is not an official standard. This sign language writing remains in a state of open space to allow room for experiment, evolution, and improvement.]

ASL written for CAR

Written ASL digit for "CAR" contributed by Jolanta in the ASLwrite community, 2018.

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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.