How do you sign THANK-YOU? Read on!
Meaning: Definition: A polite expression used when acknowledging a gift, service, or compliment, or accepting or refusing an offer; expression of gratitude or appreciation.
Pronunciation: Fingertips of the dominant "B+thumb" on the chip (palm in), moving forward away from the chin.
This same sign can be also expressed for thanks.
This basic ASL word THANK-YOU is also inflected to reflect the verb "THANK" in agreement with the subject-object order. E.g. THANK-HIM/HER.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude; thanks so much.
One-handed and two-handed versions with a number of movements convey different meanings in contexts.
If you sign THANK-YOU with both hands (and sometimes with the movement than once), it can express as "thank you very much" or "thanks so much".
If using both hands plus two movements or more, it can express as "many thanks" or THANKFUL, when one feel much appreciation. It's not a black-and-white rule, it depends on contexts and intonation.
When you express thanks or gratitude to someone for information or inspiration or show someone much respect for something, you TIP HAT to someone.
How do you sign if you don't want something but still show appreciation? Try "No, thanks" or "no, thank you".
Related signs: Hopefully, no one feels THANKLESS! Nevertheless, one can be always GRATEFUL for many things.
First 100 words.
As you feel more comfortable with the first few hundreds of ASL signs, progress further with your vocabulary and learn signing more.