FEE - Negatives (Lesson)

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Negatives

Negation used in a sentence indicates a negative sentence. In ASL, there are a few different ways of forming a negative sentence: Negative Marker, Negative Signs, and Negative Verbs. 

Negative Marker

The negative marker is used to negate a basic sentence. It may be used alone in a negative sentence or it may be used with other forms of negation. Below are some or all of the characteristics of the negative marker:

  • side to side head shake
  • frown expression (eyebrows squeezed, sometimes nose wrinkled)
  • pursed lips, or loose lips

Negation Marker Video

Note:  For most simple negation you don't need any separate sign--you just incorporate the negative markers while signing.

Signs

Some individual signs include negation. 

  • NOT
  • NEVER
  • WON'T
  • CAN'T
  • IMPOSSIBLE

Negative Words Video

Negative Verbs

A few verbs incorporate the negative with an outward, twisting motion of the inverse sign.  

  • DON'T WANT
  • DON'T LIKE
  • DON'T KNOW

Note that the term "not" is not signed in these single signs. 

Negative Verbs Video

 

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[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Video used by permission from Robert Hall.