Hi there! I am Studyfin, your ASL tutor. Today we will learn how to describe colors and objects in American Sign Language!
In English, we say 'the blue shirt' or 'the yellow ball.' We put the color word first. In American Sign Language, we do things differently!
In ASL, we sign the object first, and then we sign the color. We say 'ball yellow' instead of 'yellow ball.' This helps the person watching you picture the object in their mind first.
To sign 'YELLOW,' you make a fist, stick out your thumb and pinky finger to make the 'Y' handshape, and shake your wrist side to side. Try to picture a yellow lemon shaking on a tree!
✏️ Worked example
How would you translate the English phrase 'the blue cup' into ASL order?
First, look at the English phrase: 'the blue cup.' Identify the main object and the color.
The main object is the 'cup.' The color describing it is 'blue.'
Next, remember the ASL rule: the object always comes first, and the color comes second.
Move the word 'cup' to the very front of your translation.
Move the color word 'blue' right after the object.
Your final ASL word order is: 'CUP BLUE'!
Want the full interactive lesson — quiz, animations, and Finn cheering them on?
Studyfin
✨ Sign up free
