A fellow named "Aries" writes:Dr. Vicars,
How would you sign "underestimate"?
I have searched online in dictionaries and I cant find how you would sign this.
Would it be one sign? A combo?
Please advise.
Thank you
Aries (-=Aries,
The closest sign to "estimate" is going to be the sign for GUESS.
Another close sign will be FIGURE-out. (Which I still need to post).
In a mixed English / ASL environment filled with individuals who know both languages you might see someone sign: "LESS-THAN GUESS" to mean underestimate.
How you express "underestimate" in ASL will depend on what is being underestimated.
For example, if I underestimated an opponent's physical strength, I might sign:
I THOUGHT HIM WEAK. WRONG! HE STRONG!
If I have underestimated a test:
I THOUGHT TEST "NOTHING-TO-IT." HIT-(me in the face). TEST HARD!
If I have underestimated expenses or money:
I FIGURED 50 DOLLAR. not-ENOUGH.
I THOUGHT I NEED 50 DOLLAR. NEED MORE.
Thus there are many, many ways to express the concept of "underestimate" (rather than one specific way).
If it were to be used again and again in a spoken lecture I would not mind if the interpreter signed "LESS-than ESTIMATE-(guess)"Cordially,
Dr. Bill
Notes: