ASL review for: dog

A drawing of DOG — Credit: Drawing by ASL-speaking coda at age 4.

Definition: A domesticated carnivorous mammal that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of smell, and a barking, howling, or whining voice.

Etymology: This ASL sign may look like a snap to a naive eye but it's actually a fingerspelled loan derived from the three letters "D-O-G".

Variation: Dominant palm tapping on the thigh. This is kind of obsolete or simply less used. It's often used with babies for easier production.

Learner tip: You don't need to sign the combination of fingerspelled loan #DOG and tapping on the leg (as in a compound word) as commonly seen in non-native signers. This is the signature of hearing accent. :) Although, this doesn't really apply to parentese with baby when Deaf parent uses both ASL variations (not the compound of it).

Related signs: BARK, PUPPY, PET, PET-FRIENDLY, ANIMAL.

Pet friend or sometimes foe (okay, opposite word): CAT.