HARD in sign language

How to sign "hard" in American Sign Language (ASL)? The two common phonological variants are so subtle that sometimes they are interchangeable in some contexts, and not in other contexts. Observe Deaf native signers in everyday conversations how they use them naturally.

Contextual/semantic variation.

Pronunciation (production): Dominant 2-claw (handshape), palm facing left (orientation if right-handed), taps twice (movement) on the non-dominant 2-claw handshape with palm facing right (location).

Context or usage examples: "Well, it's hard to say" (slightly inflected with intonation and movement), "EXAM HARD" (ASL glosses).

Definition: Not soft; solid and firm to the touch; requiring a great deal of endurance or effort; with a great deal of effort.

Pronunciation (production): Dominant 2-claw (handshape), palm facing left (orientation if right-handed), taps once (movement) on the non-dominant 2-claw handshape with palm facing right (location).

Context or usage examples: "EXAM SO-HARD" (ASL).

Vocabulary

Related signs: DIFFICULT, STRONG, FIRM, CHALLENGING, TOUGH.

Antonym: EASY.

Usage/Grammar

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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 HARD

Written ASL digit for "HARD" contributed by the ASLwrite community, 2018.

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