ASL: "because"
Tip: Make sure you can recognize the various versions of the older sign for
BECAUSE. See below.
The concept of "because"
has several versions currently in use in the Deaf Community.
Over time it is becoming increasingly common to see the concept of "because"
expressed by signing either:
1. WHY-[rhetorical] done by raising the eyebrows while signing WHY. Then answer your own
question.
2. WHY-[statement-form] done by signing WHY without raising or lowering the eyebrows and
without significant downward movement. Then continue your statement as if you
had used the "BECAUSE" sign. (This approach basically uses the sign WHY to
replace the sign BECAUSE.
There are those who will tell you that the versions of the sign BECAUSE listed
below are not "ASL" signs and that you should instead use a "rhetorical-WHY," a
"rhetorical-REASON," or rearrange your sentence.
Such a narrow view of the sign BECAUSE ignores the fact that many Deaf ASL
signers "do" use one or more versions of the sign glossed (labeled) as
"BECAUSE."
In typical everyday interactions it is not uncommon to see the sign BECAUSE used
by skilled Deaf signers. If an ASL curriculum in an Interpreter
Preparation Program were to "not" teach the sign "BECAUSE" -- that
curriculum would be doing a disservice to aspiring interpreters and students who
wish to someday become fluent and able to have conversations with native Deaf in
"real life" community-based (as opposed to classroom-based) situations.
For example, see the 13 minutes and 54 seconds mark of the Daily Moth newscast
for 5/1/19*. That is just one example. I could, (if I didn't have many, many
better things to do) find and provide hundreds (or thousands) of similar
examples of the sign BECAUSE appearing in everyday real life Deaf ASL signing.
If nothing else it would be good to at least be able to recognize the versions
of BECAUSE,
even if you personally choose not sign BECAUSE.
Some individuals may claim that the reason why you see native Deaf skilled ASL
signers using the sign BECAUSE is due to such individuals having somehow been
"influenced" (tainted or infected) by "Signed English."
That is a false narrative (as in revisionist history). It seems plausible
except for the fact that for many years
the sign BECAUSE wasn't considered "Signed English" any more than any other ASL
sign. Just because ASL can and does make excellent use of rhetorical questions doesn't
mean that any non-rhetorical question structures are somehow less ASL.
Even if BECAUSE "was" Signed English (and I'm not saying it is or was) -- the fact is
that if many members of a
community start regularly using a word or a sign borrowed from a different
language, that word or sign becomes part of the language that
borrowed it. For example, American speakers of English don't run around telling other
English speakers to stop using the word "spaghetti" because it is "Italian" and
not "true English!"
If you are a student and are taking an ASL class from a teacher who believes
"BECAUSE is not ASL" -- the prudent (safe) thing to do is to sign
however your
instructor wants for the rest of the semester -- until you get the grade you want
-- and then go out into the Deaf World and sign BECAUSE using whichever version
or approach that
the adult, native Deaf signers in your local area do it.
Historically, the sign BECAUSE does not appear to be some English intrusion on
American Sign Language. For many years it was simply "the" ASL sign for
because." However, language changes--perceptions change. What was once
regarded as a typical ASL sign can become less and less popular until it drops
out of common usage and may even be considered wrong.
Time will tell.
Reference:
Daily Moth (5/1/19) 13 minute and 54 second mark (13:54) of: https://youtu.be/HZ8H8pfNwLA?t=834
Version 1:
WHY-[rhetorical]
Version 2:
WHY-[uninflected] (non-rhetorical)
Note: Do the sign WHY but do it near the head and with a neutral facial
expression.
Interpreters need to also recognize:
BECAUSE-[index > X-version]
Interpreters need to also recognize:
BECAUSE-[index > A-version]
Interpreters need to also recognize:
BECAUSE-[slightly-bent-hand > A-Version]
Notes:
Sometimes people ask me, "How do you sign BECAUSE?"
Response: I use a variety of approaches depending on the context and what
I'm attempting to say or ask. Sometimes I use a rhetorical-WHY. Sometimes I use the sign FOR. Sometimes I use the sign
REASON-[rhetorical].
Sometimes I use one of the older signs for BECAUSE. (Gasp!!)
However, I try to avoid doing so lately -- not because it isn't widespread in
the Deaf Community but because the older, specific signs for BECAUSE have become
a target of those claiming that it isn't ASL.
Question:
When you ask a rhetorical "why" or answer someone else's question -- should
you use the sign "BECAUSE" or do you just skip signing it and let the
concept be implied?
Answer:
In general you should just skip signing "because" as part of rhetorical
questions (since the concept of "because" is implied).
Just ask your rhetorical question (WHY?, REASON?, FOR-FOR?) and then
go ahead and answer it.
Over-use of "BECAUSE" is typically perceived by viewers as indicating a
signer is not familiar with the type of signing done by skilled signers.
This isn't to say that Deaf never sign "BECAUSE." Many Deaf,
skilled ASL signers do use the sign and find that it contributes to creating the
specific message they wish to convey.
My advice is to add all of the variations of BECAUSE to your receptive
vocabulary recognition toolbox and consider using one of the other methods
of creating the meaning of "because" in your own personal communication.
The myth that "BECAUSE" is SEE (Signing Exact English).
On the video: https://youtu.be/y-VBTZIkHTI
A viewer spread the myth that the index-finger version of BECAUSE isn't ASL.
Myth:
"This sign belongs to S.E.E, not ASL at all. Use Why as Rhetorical Question in a statement in ASL."
Response:
Please research ASL a bit deeper. Yes, the "WHY"-rhetorical version of "because" is an excellent option when you want to use "why" as a conjunction -- but the sign shown in this video example has been part of ASL for a
very long time (before SEE was developed).
If you don't believe me, check "The Sign Language, a Manual of Signs (1910) by J. Schupler Long. Page 139." [Source: "Because" entry at Handspeak(dot)com
retrieved 4/22/2025]
Or see page 176 of the 1952 reprint. [Source: That book is sitting on my desk -- Bill Vicars].
Note the original date in the citation is the year 1910.
"BECAUSE" has been ASL from at least well over a century ago.
That was many years before the early 1970's when David Anthony developed SEE-1 and Gerilee Gustason (and others) developed SEE-II.
The idea that the sign "BECAUSE" is not ASL -- is a myth -- that started spreading in the 1990's by people who apparently didn't do enough research.
Again, I believe you that the "WHY"-rhetorical functions as a version of "because" -- however -- interpreters certainly need to be able to recognize multiple versions of "because" due to the fact that those versions show up on the hands of Deaf in everyday life.
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