THOUGH in sign language

How to sign "though" in American Sign Language (ASL)? First, let's look at the English meaning for "though".

What is the difference between "although" and "though" in English?

1) In general, although and though as conjunctions are interchangeable, which mean "in the spite of". 2) Though can also function as an adverb meaning however or nevertheless, but it cannot be used interchangeably with "although".

However, they don't always translate equally into ASL signs/words. What makes sense in English doesn't necessarily make sense in ASL or vice versa. What can be interchangeable in ASL is not necessarily the same in English or vice versa.

ASL signs for "though"

Which one of ASL signs to use depends on the contexts or meanings in ASL sentences, regardless of the English words used in sentences. The ASL signs can be interchangeable in some sentences, but not in others.

Meaning: Despite the fact that; although.

For the sake of gloss writing, the gloss "NO-MATTER" will be used for this ASL sign/word as this sign has multiple usages and meanings. In real time, meanings depend on the tone of this signword -- it can mean "although", "though", or "doesn't matter". Remember a gloss is never a translation, just identify the signword in writing (unless you know ASL writing which would be ideal and accurate).

Usage examples: "He still argues, though he knows he's wrong", "Although I didn't win, I enjoyed participating in the competition".

English: "They hugged even though (although) they just had a big fight". ASL roughly glossed as: "TWO-they HUG+ NO-MATTER RECENT TWO-they FIGHT-var".

Meaning: however; with the understand that; on the precondition that.

Usage or context examples: "We supplied the order, with the understanding that it would be paid within 7 days".

Meaning: however, but.

Usage or context examples: "He just ordered a pizza. His mother had cooked, though". ASL roughly glossed as: "RECENTLY IX1 ORDER fs-PIZZA, BUT POSS1 MOTHER ALREADY COOK, intej-[unglossable]".

More example: "We had packed food for everyone; it was not enough though". ASL roughly glossed as: (WE) ALREADY PACK++ FOOD FOR ALL-everyone, BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH (FOOD)".

Variations in ASL

Here are a few more examples in ASL that may be different in English or vice versa.

English: "It takes a long time to complete. It's worth it, though (although)". ASL glossed as: "...LONG TIME BUT WORTH+fs-IT", also "...LOOONG COMPLETE BUT NO-MATTER WORTH+fs-IT".

English "I can't play the piano, although I took lessons for years". ASL roughly glossed as: "IX-me CANNOT PLAY-piano fs-EVEN NO-MATTER IX-me FINISH TAKE++ CLASS MANY YEAR-stress". Notice the word "EVEN" added along with "NO-MATTER"; without it, "NO-MATTER" alone doesn't fit exactly right. Another possible variation is "IMAGINE! MANY YEAR IX-me TAKE++ PIANO CLASS; NOW/\ IX-me CANNOT PLAY PIANO".

The next examples of ASL sentences have no "though" signwords; though, it's used in English.

English: "He wore a coat, even though it was a very hot day". ASL: "BEFORE, IX1 USE COAT /\fs-EVEN/\ !HOT! OUTSIDE".

English: "Though he hadn't stopped working all day, he wasn't tired". ASL: "IX1 NOT-YET STOP WORK++ ALL-DAY, conj-STAY-ma IX1 NOT TIRED".

Vocabulary

Related signs: EVEN THOUGH, ALTHOUGH, EVEN IF, HOWEVER, NEVERTHELESS.

Usage/Grammar

Get more with the PatronPlus subscription to unlock the premium content and more features, including ad-free for clean and fast page loading. Already a subscriber? Login.

Ad-free Patron: To remove ads or/and unlock premium content, subscribe today or learn more about the features.

~~ 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.

Video speed: Signing too fast in the videos? See HELP in the footer.

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.