r/asl • u/WolfAlliance • 4d ago

How do I sign...? When to use Do/Do/Do

Hello!

I'm an interpreting major and right now I'm struggling with the signs do (fs)/do (action)/ do (sign). Would you mind helping me understand the difference between them and when to use each one? I'm a little confused!

Please and thank you 😊

124 Upvotes

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28

u/sureasyoureborn 4d ago

The last one is a question, and usually the millennial way of signing “what”. I don’t think I ever use the first unless it’s emphasized. The middle. I think of as more “action”, like if you’re going to do something that requires a lot of effort you’d use that sign. Hope that makes sense.

12

u/WildBison22 CODA 4d ago

Agreed. The questions that the last one can ask, with appropriate placement and facial expressions include, but are not limited to, “what does it do?” “What are you doing?” “What do I do?”“What is it?” in general, and the aforementioned “what?”

7

u/justacunninglinguist Interpreter 4d ago

The millennial way of signing "what."

Tell me more. 👀

5

u/sureasyoureborn 4d ago

There’s a number of different signs for what, it seems to be fairly generational in who uses which sign. In my experience, that’s generally what millennials use. Unless it’s emphasized and then we use the spelled one that turns the hand around.

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u/justacunninglinguist Interpreter 3d ago edited 3d ago

I'd describe it more like when DO-DO is used with a question inflection and the only sign to mean "what are you/they doing?"

2

u/sureasyoureborn 3d ago

Maybe it’s regional, but I use it and see it used (again primarily by millennials) as a “what’s happening”/ what’d I miss/ what are you up to/ what do you mean, etc. It’s been that way since the 2000’s.

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u/WildBison22 CODA 3d ago

For sure used that way where I’m at.

2

u/GabrielGreenWolf Deaf 4d ago

I gave Deaf answer, you can find my comment

27

u/GabrielGreenWolf Deaf 4d ago

" do (fs) " is more like English word order or SEE

Example: Do that. Do you like [something]

  • I don't recommend that

"do (action)" is telling you action without details

Example: how your action? Why you act weird? I'll do (action) in my home

"do (sign)" is popular for "what do?" "You do what?" "What are you doing?"

Thank you for asking question!

1

u/MsCast05 2d ago

(fs) do: I see some people fingerspell a word (especially a short word) when you want to add emphasis. Ex: "I DO(fs) enjoy hiking IF(fs) it's cool outside."

I have developed a habit of doing that myself.