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IN: The American Sign Langauge sign for "in" (inside, put in) ...


IN:


Note: This sign can be used to mean "inside" by doing the movement twice but using a smaller motion the second time.


https://youtu.be/YirRi12-zWo

There are many, many (virtually limitless) sentences that could use the English word "in" but not use the ASL sign "IN."
Some examples:

back in 1979... = PAST 1979
in fact, ... = TRUE or TRUE-BIZ
in this video = THIS VIDEO [CAN SEE / HAVE / SHOW / INCLUDE ...]
use consistent spacing in your document... = 2-handed-SAME-(depict spacing)
got caught up in watching the = FASCINATED
standing in front of me = CL1-depiction or CL:V-depiction
clasped in her hands = context+depiction
In every way = EVERYTHING / ALL DIFFERENT-DIFFERENT WAY
just in case = BACKUP
in case = IF
in great condition = IX STRONG / IX GOOD / IX NICE / IX NONE DAMAGE
walked in = CL1-depiction / WALK ENTER / CLV-depiction
lived in a small town = LIVE SMALL TOWN
in that situation = THAT! SITUATION / THAT SITUATION-[topicalized]
in the future – FUTURE or FUTURE-double-movement
involved in = INVOLVE
the only Deaf university in the world = ALL-OVER WORLD IX ONLY DEAF UNIVERSITY
in need = IX NEED
fluent in sign language = SIGNING-(inflected to show fluency)

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So when do we use the "IN" sign and is it worth learning?

The sign IN is often used to mean "inside" as in "the state of being inside" or "the condition of being inside. For example, suppose some Deaf go to a restaurant and the hostess knows sign language. The hostess might choose to sign YOU WANT EAT IN OR-[shift] OUTSIDE?

Suppose there is a fire and the firefighter (who knows sign language) might ask: ANYONE STILL INSIDE IT HOUSE?

The IN sign is useful for communicating by depicting the placement of certain objects into other objects).

The IN sign is used in combination with classifiers to clarify that the depicted situation or relationship is still ongoing. For example, if someone is describing a crane that fell into a building they might depict it (via classifiers) and then emphasize that the crane is still "INSIDE" the building (to emphasize that it hasn't been moved to the outside). See: https://youtu.be/CUIp1T0qhWs?t=109 (Source: ABENCHUCHAN, Alex, (2019) The Daily Moth 6-12-19, YouTube video ID: CUIp1T0qhWs at 109 seconds)

The IN sign is sometimes useful for indicating that something abstract, nebulous, or amorphous is inside something.
For example "Using this process you can trap carbon dioxide in the concrete."
See: https://youtu.be/BGVJB4zu4ys?t=88 (urine inside a diaper).

The IN sine is useful to ask about the relationship of an unknown entity or substance. It is extremely difficult to "depict" something that you don't know what it is. In such situations you can use the "IN" sign. For example, suppose you wanted to ask a child regarding the contents of a box. You could use a double movement version of the sign IN to mean "inside." For example:
IT BOX, YOU THINK INSIDE WHAT?

The IN sign is sometimes used as a locative to represent placing a small object into a cup or pouch. This is a case of the depiction just happening to precisely match an established sign.

Regardless of the extremely numerous times when the sign "IN" should "not" be used – knowing the sign IN is generally helpful as a reference for all the times when the basic (dominant hand) handshape and movement of IN are incorporated into other signs such as "put it in your shirt pocket," "my inner feelings," "install the software."

https://youtu.be/YirRi12-zWo

 



In a message dated 5/13/2003 7:42:03 PM Central Daylight Time, wsmather writes:

Hi Dr. Bill:

I can't remember what a particular sign means, and not having a reverse look-up dictionary, I'm stuck. What is the meaning of:

Left closed 5-hand in front palm down. Right closed 5-hand palm down starts above and behind it, noses down to slide underneath it, and arches upward coming out the other side. It's basically the same sign as the second half
of the sign for heaven.

At your convenience. Thanks.
Scott

---------------

Scott,
That sign could be "ENTER."
Especially if the left hand has a bit of a curve.
When you say, "behind it" if you mean right hand swoops under the left the thumb side of the palm down left flat hand and comes out on the pinkie side of the left hand as if a small animal entering its burrow, then I think that is definitely your mystery sign.
Here's an example:

ENTER:



animation: ENTER



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