FALSE in sign language

This word entry show how to sign "false" in American Sign Language (ASL). And, a false/true story game for intermediate ASL students to practice ASL conversations.

ASL sign for FALSE

Meaning: Not according with truth or fact; incorrect; untrue.

Pronunciation/articulation: Dominant forefinger swings by the cheek once or twice (depending on the contextual meanings).

Variation.

Pronunciation/articulation: Dominant index finger swings by the nose once or twice (depending on the contextual meanings).

Vocabulary

Related signs: FAKE, INCORRECT, UNTRUE, WRONG, FALLACIOUS, COUNTERFEIT, FRAUD.

Opposite: TRUE.

True/False Game: anecdotes

A few times during the wrap-ups, my level-200 ASL students enjoyed playing a "true/false story" guess game, in which one of my students or myself (ASL instructor) would tell an extraordinary short story whether it's true or make-up. Then, the students would guess whether the storyteller was telling truth or was making up. Of course, all in ASL.

Over the half semester, from time to time, I'd tell one story and the students guessed shortly before the clock rang. Here is a couple of examples.

One time, I told the story (in ASL as always, translated as): Sitting in my plane which was about ready to leave, as I had flown numerous times, I'm familiar with the routines including when an approaching takeoff moment might take. My tired eyes closed, but not sleeping, I listened to the movements and vibrations -- the plane movement, pause, revving up (vibration), rolling on faster and faster. Faster and faster. Rolled faster and faster. At about the peak speed for the lift, there was a blast, a loud explosion. The plane braked to the full screech, that caused the plane rotating around and around. My eyes opened and my hands gripped on the chair arms, and horrified, I watched the window blurred by. It turned out that the engine under the wing exploded into fire. We were excavated down the inflatable slide. The firetruck came and the firefighter watered the engine. True or false?

For an activity, a class can be divided up into groups of three. In each group, one of them shared their true stories if any or they can come up with a make-up story. Then, each group tells one and the other groups guess "true" or "lie".

Or, another way is for the pairs. In each pair, signer A tells a brief story, and signer B guesses. During the conversations, they might ask questions how, why, or "what happened".