Signs for EYEGLASSES

We Deaf people sometimes joke that we have four eyes. No, they don't include eyeglasses. That would make six. What we mean is two eyes on the front and another two eyes on the back. Why? Long explanation. That's how Deaf people perceive with eyes differently.

ASL signs for EYEGLASSES

How do you say "eyeglasses" in ASL (American Sign Language)? There are four general variations.

Meaning: A pair of lenses set into a frame and worn over your eyes, used to correct faulty vision or protect the eyes.

Pronunciation/articulation: Dominant "G" -> "20" strokes backward twice near the temple of the head.

Formal citation. Although, either one-handed and two-handed "EYEGLASSES" is used in everyday.

Pronunciation/articulation: Two-handed "G" -> "20" stroke backward twice near the temples of the head.

Variation. More likely referred to old glasses or large frames and lens.

Sign description: Dominant "baby-C" handshape taps twice near the eye.

Either one-handed (casual) or two-handed sign is used (formal citation).

Sign description: Two-handed "baby-C" tap twice near the eyes.

Related signs

SUNGLASSES, EYE CONTACT (but eyeglasses are cool, too), EYEPIECE.

Let's go a bit farther with eye extensions, such as TELESCOPE, SPYGLASS (don't use it to spy on your Deaf neighbors because they will eye-catch you even miles away), or look closer with MICROSCOPE, MAGNIFYING-GLASS.

Through the Toddler's Lens

Kid says the darndest thing or even acts the darndest thing.

Over a few or more weeks, I noticed that Juli (age 1;9) would bring my eyeglasses to me in my bed in the mornings before she took my hand to "help" me get up.

In parallel, I also noticed that Juli would sometimes walk around with partially closed eyes. Or, she simply squinted hard that her teeth flashed.

I didn't realize that these two things were connected until the moment when Juli sometimes insisted me to put on my eyeglasses at meal times. She was upset or concerned when I took them off. It appeared that Juli thought I couldn't see well (or not at all) without my eyeglasses. It's marvelous to take a peer into baby's cognitive world.