The closest sign to "wilderness" is "FOREST."
However, the world wilderness generally means an area without
people. (Or a place that hasn't been influenced much by
people.) So a desert could be a "wilderness." Thus it
may at times be appropriate to use a modified version of the sign
EMPTY to show an area empty of
PEOPLE.
Slide the sign for tree along the top of the left forearm from left to right.
FOREST:
See: TREE
Notes:
Francine writes:
"Is there something like a synonym directory?
The reason I am asking is: I watch Bible stories with ASL http://www.aslbible.com/bible_stories.html
At times I do not recognize a sign and try to find what I think it
may be with the dictionary which is part of your website.
However, the word/sign I am looking for may not be there. For
instance a word like "wilderness".
http://www.aslbible.com/bible_stories/nt08temptation/temptation.html
So, then I start to think of synonyms, but don't find what I am
looking for. Would there be a listing where I can find words related
to certain signs?
Or a reverse dictionary?
Is there a dictionary where you can fin out what a certain sign is?
For instance in the example above, for the word "wilderness", I see
the lady signing a W-shape on her cheek, and then tapping her elbow.
Does that make the sign for wilderness?
But the question is: is there a way to find out what a sign means by
seeing the sign-description of the sign? (I hope you understand what
I am asking).
Thank you,
- Francine
Dear Francine,
In the video clip at the link you sent, the
signer is doing the sign for EXPERIENCE (on the cheek) and TEMPT (by
tapping on the elbow). The sign she uses for wilderness is "FOREST."
You can get a (reverse ASL dictionary) handshape dictionary at:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Sign-Language-Handshape-Dictionary/dp/1563684446
Cordially,
Dr. Bill
You can learn
American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars