American Sign Language: "bold" The sign for "bold" varies depending on what you mean. A very common way to sign "bold" is to touch your forehead with your index finger and then form both hands into "S" hands and "whack" your non-dominant hand with the dominant hand with a downward glancing blow. If you mean bold as in "brave" then see: BRAVE The other day I was at a meeting (oh the joy) and my interpreter signed "thick" while mouthing the word "bold." This particular interpreter is one of the best in the Sacramento region and her signing is consistently excellent. I replayed her last few signs in my mind and realized that the speaker had been talking about some sort of document and that she was referring to "bold" as in "bold typeface." Looking back I don't recall a thing about what was discussed in the meeting (heh) but I certainly remember such a clever use of the sign "THICK." THICK-(general_version) + "context" = "boldface type" Note: Make sure to use a "claw" hand so as to distinguish this sign from CELL phone. Doing THICK a bit lower on the cheek also helps distinguish it. And notice my mouth? I'm actually forming my teeth and tongue as if I were to make the "TH" sound (such mouth phonemes and morphemes are very common -- even required in many ASL signs. They are not Englishisms but rather the result of living in a diglosic society.). Notes: There are quite a few other ways to sign "bold" and eventually I'll get around to posting them. (If you need to know a certain "version" feel free to donate a "bold" amount of money so as to free up my time.) There is a version that points to the temple (forehead) and adds the sign PROCEED. The sign PROCEED (in this use) is modified by doing a very strong, fast movement. Another way to sign "bold" is to use the sign for "GUTS" which is done by using a bent hand (palm up and/or towards your stomach) and poking your guts twice (just under the ribcage). When I do that version of "bold" I tend to do an "ooh" mouth shape with an extended jaw and a slight shake of the head as if thinking "oh wow that takes a lot of guts." Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!) (You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.) Another way to help is to buy Dr. Bill's "Superdisk." Dr. Bill's new iPhone "Fingerspelling Practice" app is now available! CHECK IT OUT > Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT > Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT > You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars

American Sign Language: "bold"

The sign for "bold" varies depending on what you mean.

A very common way to sign "bold" is to touch your forehead with your index finger and then form both hands into "S" hands and "whack" your non-dominant hand with the dominant hand with a downward glancing blow.

If you mean bold as in "brave" then see: BRAVE

The other day I was at a meeting (oh the joy) and my interpreter signed "thick" while mouthing the word "bold." This particular interpreter is one of the best in the Sacramento region and her signing is consistently excellent. I replayed her last few signs in my mind and realized that the speaker had been talking about some sort of document and that she was referring to "bold" as in "bold typeface." Looking back I don't recall a thing about what was discussed in the meeting (heh) but I certainly remember such a clever use of the sign "THICK."

THICK-(general_version) + "context" = "boldface type"

Note: Make sure to use a "claw" hand so as to distinguish this sign from CELL phone. Doing THICK a bit lower on the cheek also helps distinguish it. And notice my mouth? I'm actually forming my teeth and tongue as if I were to make the "TH" sound (such mouth phonemes and morphemes are very common -- even required in many ASL signs. They are not Englishisms but rather the result of living in a diglosic society.).

Notes:
There are quite a few other ways to sign "bold" and eventually I'll get around to posting them. (If you need to know a certain "version" feel free to donate a "bold" amount of money so as to free up my time.)

There is a version that points to the temple (forehead) and adds the sign PROCEED. The sign PROCEED (in this use) is modified by doing a very strong, fast movement.

Another way to sign "bold" is to use the sign for "GUTS" which is done by using a bent hand (palm up and/or towards your stomach) and poking your guts twice (just under the ribcage). When I do that version of "bold" I tend to do an "ooh" mouth shape with an extended jaw and a slight shake of the head as if thinking "oh wow that takes a lot of guts."

Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!)
(You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.)

Another way to help is to buy Dr. Bill's "Superdisk."

Dr. Bill's new iPhone "Fingerspelling Practice" app is now available! CHECK IT OUT >

Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT >

Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars