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American Sign Language: "official"



ADeaf factory worker writes:
Hi,
I went to your website to look up the sign for "official" like an official notice...you did not have that word there unless I did not see it....a sign language lady at my work gave a two weeks notice to leave my work and she asked me the sign for official like an official two weeks notice.
-- Name on file

Dear name on file,
There is no "specific" sign for "official."
In choosing the most appropriate sign or set of signs to express the concept "official" we have to consider the context in which it is being used.

In your situation, "a person giving official two-weeks notice" the concept of "official" means that she has definitely decided to quit and that she is following the proper or formal method of quitting.

The concept of "definitely decided" is expressed by doing the sign for "DECIDE" in a firm manner with a slight nod and lips pressed together (as if gritting one's teeth).

The concept of "formal" tends to be expressed by doing the sign for "POLITE" with a serious facial expression.

The concept of "proper" can be expressed by using the sign "REGULAR / appropriate).


(Perhaps the closest sign to the general meaning of "official" is the sign POLITE.)

The concept of "to give official notice" could also be summed up as "INFORM-to" which would be expressed via using the one-handed version of the INFORMATION sign directionally moving toward the "supervisor's office."

Now, here are a few more of the possible approaches to dealing with that term.

If we mean "official" as in "not false" then we could sign "TRUE." Or perhaps even "FOR TRUE" meaning "for sure."
If we mean a representative of an organization then we could sign "SHOW-PERSON" using an "R" handshape, to mean "representative."
If we "approved" we show an "A" handshape and change it into a "P" handshape as we slap the dominant hand into the palm of the flat "base" hand.
Some people might tap an "O" on the dominant shoulder to mean "official" or "officer."
Another way is to sign "ACCEPT" to mean that something has been "officially accepted."
"ESTABLISH" or "DECIDE" can also be used to mean "official" and either of these ways might apply to your situation wherein you are being transferred. For example "HEY INFORM-you H-Q (headquarters) DECIDE FINISH YOU CONTINUE HERE TWO WEEK, SWITCH DEPARTMENT." Which would mean, "I'm letting you know that it is official, you have two more weeks here and then you will switch to the other department."
Good luck with the transfer.
--Bill


See: TRUE
See: POLITE
See: BOSS
See: GOVERNMENT


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