How to Sign "I Need a Doctor" in American Sign Language

For the U.S. deaf community, American Sign Language (ASL) is the most popular sign language. It was popularized by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, founder of the American School for the Deaf. ASL combines hand signs, movement and facial expressions to communicate words. Its syntax and vocabulary are completely different than English; ASL is its own language. Use these steps to say "I need a doctor" in American Sign Language.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Form the letter "D." With the right hand, form the letter "D" by bringing the fingertips together and raising the index finger straight up. This sign resembles the lower case letter "D."

2. Complete the "doctor" sign. While forming the "D" sign, bring the right hand to the inside left wrist. This is to represent a medical person taking a pulse. Tap the inside wrist with the right hand sign 2 or 3 times.

3. Make the sign for "need/must." Sign the letter "X" with the right hand by closing a fist with the index finger up and bent at the 2 finger joints. Hold the hand up and away from the body and make a downward motion.

4. Enhance the motion. To emphasis immediate need, make the motions sharp and exaggerated. ASL uses motion and expressions to convey emotion and other verbal inflections.

5. Use the face. Facial expressions in American Sign Language are used to further clarify the gestures. For example, raised eyebrows denote a question and a stern or harsh expression denotes seriousness and urgency.

6. Repeat until perfect. Practice the sign until it can be made smoothly.

Tips & Warnings

• The signing for "I need a nurse" and "I need a medic" are very similar. Instead of using the letter "D" for doctor, use the same sign substituting the sign for "N" for nurse: a fist with the thumb placed between the middle and ring finger. For medic, use the "M" sign, which is a fist with the thumb between the ring and little finger. Bring the right hand to the inside left wrist in the same manner as for the sign for doctor.
• Many organizations and educational institutions offer classes in American Sign Language. These classes teach fingerspelling as well as signing.

[aslcoach]

on 7/26/2009 Please make a note that many classes teaches Pidgen Signed English or Signed Exact English classes. If you'd like to learn real American Sign Language - make sure the teacher is Deaf and fluent in ASL and took the ASLTA certificate.
In ASL, the dominate hand forms the handshape for doctor as "m" - that taps on the inside of the wrist; for those who wishes to learn ASL but has difficulty finding classes or is too far from a college - consider webcam ASL coaching: www.aslwithraven.org

Happy signing everyone!