How to Sign Since in ASL
To sign since in American Sign Language (ASL), use a one-handed 5 handshape (all fingers spread and held stiff) and draw a smooth, forward-arc motion from the base of your dominant-hand knuckles near the wrist, ending just in front of your body at chest height. The movement is fluid and directional, representing the passing of time from a starting point forward. This sign marks a point in time as a beginning and conveys the meaning from that time until now. Use it when referencing durations such as I have lived here since 2018 or since last year.
Common Grammar Contexts for Since
In ASL, since typically appears with a time frame or past event, often following a present perfect or ongoing-state verb to indicate continuation up to the present. Position the sign to show temporal flow rather than isolated translation, and pair it with contextual time references already established in the conversation. This keeps your signing clear and native-like.
Time-Span Indicators
When you combine since with durations or time markers, you clarify how long an action or state has continued. Practice placing time indicators first, then use the since sign to anchor the starting point, and finish with the current-state expression. This structure helps avoid ambiguity.
Step-by-Step Execution Guide
Begin by forming the dominant hand into a 5 handshape. Keep fingers together but not tense. Initiate the arc at the wrist level near your dominant-side knuckles, moving forward and slightly upward in a smooth arc. Let the motion feel continuous rather than abrupt or punchy. End the movement at chest height in front of your torso, facing the listener. Repeat the smooth arc pattern to reinforce temporal flow each time you sign since.
- Form a relaxed 5 handshape with your dominant hand.
- Start the motion near your wrist on your dominant side.
- Draw a forward-arc to chest level in a smooth, continuous movement.
- End with fingers still extended, palm generally facing forward.
- Use after established time references to maintain clarity.
Practice Drill: From Time to Duration
Build fluency by alternating a time sign (e.g., last year, 2018, when we moved) with the since sign and then a present-state verb or sentence. Repeat in short bursts, focusing on consistent arc shape and clear start-point precision. Gradually increase tempo while keeping the motion controlled, and rehearse in context so the sign becomes automatic in realistic sentences.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
Speakers new to this sign sometimes use a flat-hand instead of a 5 handshape, which changes the lexical identity of the sign and can confuse viewers. Others start the arc too close to the chest, which obscures the "from a point in the past" meaning, or make a choppy, tiny movement that fails to communicate duration. Another frequent error is overusing since where English would use it, leading to awkward phrasing. In ASL, prefer topic–comment or time–comment structures that fit the language’s spatial grammar.
Comparison: Since vs. For
It is helpful to contrast since with for, a sign that expresses duration length without indicating a start point. Using them together clarifies temporal information. Practice both to develop a feel for when to reference a starting moment (since) versus a length of time (for).
| Sign | Meaning | Handshape | Movement | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| since | From a starting point in time until now | 5 handshape | Forward arc from near wrist to chest height | I have worked here since 2020 |
| for | Duration of time | 1 handshape (index finger extended, others curled) | Horizontal side-to-side sweep or steady hold | I have worked here for five years |
Practice Prompts and Real-World Use Cases
Apply since in everyday contexts by signing about jobs you have held, cities you have lived in, or skills you have been developing. Integrate it into conversations about milestones, education, travel, family changes, or projects. Ask partners to sign back using since to reinforce comprehension. Over time, vary the sentence structures to include negatives, contrasts, and combined time phrases.
Tips for Long-Term Retention
Use spaced repetition: revisit the sign in new sentences across days and weeks. Record yourself producing the arc motion and compare it to clear native examples. Pair the sign with mental time lines, physically pointing left for the past and forward for the future to reinforce temporal direction. Seek regular conversational practice with fluent signers to refine placement, rhythm, and appropriate usage.
Wrap-Up and Next Steps
Mastering since strengthens your ability to express durations with clear starting points, refining temporal precision in everyday and professional conversations. Continue practicing the smooth arc, consistent handshape, and proper positioning, and integrate the sign into varied sentence structures. Next, combine since with other time-related signs, such as before, ago, and until, to expand your temporal vocabulary and communicate more complex timelines.
Additional Topics to Explore
Tags: asl, sign-language, since