An elementary school teacher writes:
"Hello!
I love your website and use it with my students weekly. I teach 2nd and 3rd
graders in a multi age classroom and since I am hard of hearing (deaf in one ear
since birth), I have always taught ASL in my classroom (over 20 years). Can you
tell me how to sign "blurt?"
This is a concept we work on all year. ;) Last year ______ recommended this sign
to me:
Flick the thumb and forefinger in front of the lips, flicking away from
the mouth. Other fingers are folded under.
Would you say that is a good sign to continue to use?
Thank you for your time and for your free lessons. It's hard to use my receptive
skills when I am producing all day long. So I love the practice.
Kristin Adamski
Bishop Elementary
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Hello Kristin,
When deciding which sign to use for advanced (?) concepts like "blurt"
-- it helps to understand the various options and from where those options
evolved. Ask yourself: "What is the base sign that was modified to create this
new specialized meaning?"
According to Google definitions, "blurt" means to "say (something) suddenly and
without careful consideration." Synonyms: burst out with, exclaim, call out.
The right sign for "blurt" is going to depend on which specific meaning of blurt
that you intend to convey.
The index finger flicking forward from the mouth version of blurt is very
similar to the sign for "SPIT" (which uses a plosive mouth movement to make it
sort of look like you are spitting). This sign is also related to the sign
"TATTLE" (which flicks to the side). So you can see how the index finger
flicking forward from the mouth version of blurt would be good for expressing
the meaning of "blurting out a secret." Think of the phrase, "come on,
spit it out" -- which is used to encourage someone to "blurt out" something that
they know which you do not know. This version of blurt also conveys a
sense of pent up tension and release. It also conveys the concept of that which
is being blurted is a discrete bit of information that was formerly discreet.
(The spelling of those words is important discrete/discreet.) In other words,
spitting and vomiting are two different things. You spit a wad -- a small
compact bit. Thus the "spit it out" version of "blurt" is good to convey
the meaning of spitting out a wad of information (a small compact bit of
information).
However, there are other ways to express the concept of "blurt."
You can use a modified version of the sign "TALK" (that uses a "4-hand").
You hold the hand near your mouth and then move it forward one time while
fluttering the fingers.
You could also use a modified version of the sign "ANNOUNCE." Which is a
modified version of the sign for TELL. (As in "tell everyone.")
I will put these on my "to create a video for" list.
- Dr. Bill
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