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FICTION: The American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "fiction"
 

The concept of "fiction" is expressed by using the sign for FALSE.
To do the sign for "false," or "fiction" -- move your "index finger" past your nose. Your index finger doesn't touch the nose, it just comes close. The movement can be in the wrist or it can be more in the elbow as I show here.  The movement is NOT in the knuckle.
 

FICTION (false + context)


You could also use the "INVENT" sign to mean "fiction." (As in, an invented story rather than a "true" one.) See: INVENT

 



QUESTION:
How you would differentiate different genres of books, like if you wanted to say you like fiction but distinguishing that from fantasy? I know the sign for myth, dream, invent etc but I don't know if you would just have to sign f-i-c-t-i-o-n. And would non-fiction be the sign for "true" combined with book?


ANSWER:

Fiction: On first reference spell it out and add the sign INVENTED. Or sign FALSE.

Fantasy: If you are going to sign INVENTED to mean fiction you can distinguish the sign FANTASY by using a two-handed alternating movement first with your dominant hand and then with your non-dominant hand.

Nonfiction: can be signed as NOT INVENTED (as in non made up).
Or sign NOT FALSE.

For a new audience consider spelling out "nonfiction" on first reference and then adding NOT INVENTED. After the first time there is no need to keep spelling it out. Some people might spell "non" and sign FALSE. That seems a bit awkward to me but it works. If someone doesn't understand what "nonfiction" means -- sure you can expand by adding "THAT MEAN STORY TRUE-BIZ HAPPEN" For an example of "true-biz" see: https://youtu.be/PT0o8P0BTyA
 


Notes: 

See: FALSE
See: BOOK




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