Need to steel a sign :)

Gobae · 08-04-2008, 03:47 PM

Every summer I do a couple of blacksmithing demonstrations at local county fairs in my area (Albany, NY and Rensselaer, NY). At both fairs I get a handful of Deaf people who stop by and I describe what I'm doing and answer their questions in ASL.

Recently it's come to my attention that one of the signs that I learned for "metal" ("x" hand along jawline; like "girl" but signed with an "x") means "sex" in some areas. Is this true? And does anyone know of other signs for: "iron", "steel", and "metal"?

Munchkinsdad · 08-04-2008, 03:58 PM

hi! I know that sign to mean sex in my area but if you move the "x" under your chin twice it is steel.
that's how I learned it anyway...
Hope that helps a little.

Reba · 08-04-2008, 04:05 PM

Could be a regional variation.

In South Carolina, we use the SEX/GENDER sign with the X-shape touching twice down the side of the face (like SEX is shown at aslpro.com). That same sign (with modified movement) is used here for the material RUBBER, or combined with CONDOM to mean "a rubber" or condom.

We use the X-shape under the chin for METAL. It usually means a generic "metal", and if you want to specify which kind, you usually spell it.

In the Southeast, I haven't seen anyone use the METAL sign for the SEX sign.

Reba · 08-04-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkinsdad

hi! I know that sign to mean sex in my area but if you move the "x" under your chin twice it is steel.
that's how I learned it anyway...
Hope that helps a little.

Where is your area?

SCBassist · 08-04-2008, 04:16 PM

In my experience, steel is expressed when the forefinger taps the front teeth to indicate that something is hard and sex uses the X handshape and taps the top and then the bottom of the cheek.

Reba · 08-04-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCBassist

In my experience, steel is expressed when the forefinger taps the front teeth to indicate that something is hard and sex uses the X handshape and taps the top and then the bottom of the cheek.

X tapping the teeth is the GLASS sign. (Look at the example at aslpro.com)

SCBassist · 08-04-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

X tapping the teeth is the GLASS sign. (Look at the example at aslpro.com)

Straight forefinger Reba, glass is curved or "X"

Wokamuka · 08-04-2008, 04:30 PM

The sign that Reba explains is, for me, metal.

Steel is when you point at your chin, then with the same hand, make an "i" and slide it along a pointing finger. That sign may well be a Pittsburgh sign.

Go Steelers!

Reba · 08-04-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wokamuka

The sign that Reba explains is, for me, metal.

Steel is when you point at your chin, then with the same hand, make an "i" and slide it along a pointing finger. That sign may well be a Pittsburgh sign.

Go Steelers!

That makes sense for Pittsburgh, yeah.

Reba · 08-04-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCBassist

Straight forefinger Reba, glass is curved or "X"

Thank you for the clarification about the straight forefinger; I missed that.

Still, I haven't seen anyone use that sign. Maybe it just never came up in conversation.

Munchkinsdad · 08-04-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Where is your area?

Maryland..thanks for asking.

Reba · 08-04-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkinsdad

Maryland..thanks for asking.

for replying.

BrainDork · 08-04-2008, 10:51 PM

Sex is twice down cheek. Metal is "X" under chin moving from under neck, outwards.

***VamPyroX*** · 08-05-2008, 01:50 AM

I've never seen it signed like that. Perhaps, she's from a different area? Did you ask that person?

Gobae · 08-05-2008, 12:05 PM

Thank you all for your assistance, that helps immensely.

08-04-2008, 03:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gobae Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 116	Need to steel a sign :) Every summer I do a couple of blacksmithing demonstrations at local county fairs in my area (Albany, NY and Rensselaer, NY). At both fairs I get a handful of Deaf people who stop by and I describe what I'm doing and answer their questions in ASL. Recently it's come to my attention that one of the signs that I learned for "metal" ("x" hand along jawline; like "girl" but signed with an "x") means "sex" in some areas. Is this true? And does anyone know of other signs for: "iron", "steel", and "metal"? __________________ Gobae - The Blacksmith Historic Strides Blog Ancient Celtic Clans

08-04-2008, 04:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
SCBassist ...And your point is? Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 895	In my experience, steel is expressed when the forefinger taps the front teeth to indicate that something is hard and sex uses the X handshape and taps the top and then the bottom of the cheek. __________________ Complaints Division Here

08-04-2008, 04:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Wokamuka 1.20.09 : end of an error Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 1,828	The sign that Reba explains is, for me, metal. Steel is when you point at your chin, then with the same hand, make an "i" and slide it along a pointing finger. That sign may well be a Pittsburgh sign. Go Steelers! __________________

08-05-2008, 01:50 AM	#14 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 27,867	I've never seen it signed like that. Perhaps, she's from a different area? Did you ask that person? __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

08-05-2008, 12:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
Gobae Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 116	Thank you all for your assistance, that helps immensely. __________________ Gobae - The Blacksmith Historic Strides Blog Ancient Celtic Clans

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

08-04-2008, 03:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Munchkinsdad Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 16	hi! I know that sign to mean sex in my area but if you move the "x" under your chin twice it is steel. that's how I learned it anyway... Hope that helps a little.

08-04-2008, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Reba Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 17,288	Could be a regional variation. In South Carolina, we use the SEX/GENDER sign with the X-shape touching twice down the side of the face (like SEX is shown at aslpro.com). That same sign (with modified movement) is used here for the material RUBBER, or combined with CONDOM to mean "a rubber" or condom. We use the X-shape under the chin for METAL. It usually means a generic "metal", and if you want to specify which kind, you usually spell it. In the Southeast, I haven't seen anyone use the METAL sign for the SEX sign.

08-04-2008, 10:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
BrainDork Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: West Virginia Posts: 17	Sex is twice down cheek. Metal is "X" under chin moving from under neck, outwards.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode