American Sign Language: "incompetent" The sign for "incompetent" is used to mean such things as "inept" or "no good at." INCOMPETENT: (Version 1) Animation: INCOMPETENT: (Version 2) You may see differences in the handshape. You might even see some people do the sign with a forward twist of the dominant hand rather than backward twist. INCOMPETENT: Note: In the sign above, think of the non-dominant hand as representing your brain, and your dominant hand representing the thickness of your skull. Hmmm. Not very flattering. Best to picture it with someone else's brain and skull. Hey now, cut that out. Notes: Cultural tip: The sign INCOMPETENT (version 1) can be done *on your ear* to mean “deaf.” It is okay for Deaf people to sign “DEAF/EARS INCOMPETENT” this way, however if a Hearing person signed “EARS INCOMPETENT” it would generally be considered inappropriate or even a bit rude. Sort of like they were overstepping their boundaries. The “DEAF/EARS INCOMPETENT” sign in addition to conveying the idea of "blown speakrers" (ears that don't work) it also conveys an attitude of "belonging to the Deaf Community." It's use denotes membership. Thus if that sign is used by non-members (such as sign language students) or by fringe members it doesn't seem appropriate. You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars 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 >

American Sign Language: "incompetent"

The sign for "incompetent" is used to mean such things as "inept" or "no good at."

INCOMPETENT: (Version 1)

Animation: INCOMPETENT:

(Version 2) You may see differences in the handshape. You might even see some people do the sign with a forward twist of the dominant hand rather than backward twist.

INCOMPETENT:

Note: In the sign above, think of the non-dominant hand as representing your brain, and your dominant hand representing the thickness of your skull. Hmmm. Not very flattering. Best to picture it with someone else's brain and skull.
Hey now, cut that out.

Notes:
Cultural tip: The sign INCOMPETENT (version 1) can be done on your ear to mean “deaf.” It is okay for Deaf people to sign “DEAF/EARS INCOMPETENT” this way, however if a Hearing person signed “EARS INCOMPETENT” it would generally be considered inappropriate or even a bit rude. Sort of like they were overstepping their boundaries. The “DEAF/EARS INCOMPETENT” sign in addition to conveying the idea of "blown speakrers" (ears that don't work) it also conveys an attitude of "belonging to the Deaf Community." It's use denotes membership. Thus if that sign is used by non-members (such as sign language students) or by fringe members it doesn't seem appropriate.

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

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 >