How to sign break in American Sign Language

Sign #1 (1 of 3)

Definition:

Pause or interval

Sign Instructions:

Begin with your non-dominant hand in front of you, its palm oriented toward yourself and your fingers pointing at your dominant hand. Your middle and ring fingers should have a gap between them where the dominant hand will be moving to. Begin with your dominant hand oriented upward and next to your non-dominant hand. Then move your dominant hand in-between the fingers of your middle and ring fingers.

Videos

Example Video

Tutorial Video

Sequential Image Breakdown

Sequential Breakdown of break

Beginning and End Frames

Beginning of Sign

First Frame of break

End of Sign

Final Frame of break

Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for break
Extend your fingers and press them together, with your thumb sticking out to the side.

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshape for break
Extend your fingers and press them together, with your thumb sticking out to the side.

Sign #2 (2 of 3)

Definition:

Pause/intermission

Sign Instructions:

Begin with your non-dominant hand in front of you, its palm oriented toward yourself and your fingers pointing at your dominant hand. Your middle and ring fingers should have a gap between them where the dominant hand will be moving to. Begin with your dominant hand oriented downward and next to your non-dominant hand. Then move your dominant hand in-between the fingers of your middle and ring fingers 2 times.

Videos

Example Video

Tutorial Video

Sequential Image Breakdown

Sequential Breakdown of break

Beginning and End Frames

Beginning of Sign

First Frame of break

End of Sign

Final Frame of break

Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for break
Extend your fingers and press them together, with your thumb sticking out to the side.

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshape for break
Extend your fingers and press them together, with your thumb sticking out to the side.

Sign #3 (3 of 3)

Definition:

Cause separation

Sign Instructions:

Place both hands next to each other in front of you, with your hands touching on the thumb side of your hands. Then, bring your hands up and away from each other. This sign mimics holding something in your hands and breaking it in half.

Videos

Example Video

Sequential Image Breakdown

Sequential Breakdown of break

Beginning and End Frames

Beginning of Sign

First Frame of break

End of Sign

Final Frame of break

Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for break
Make a fist with all fingers curled over the thumb, which is tucked in front of the fingers.

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshape for break
Make a fist with all fingers curled over the thumb, which is tucked in front of the fingers.

About the Creator

Paul Kelly, a nationally certified sign language interpreter and the founder of strongasl.com, has dedicated his career to bridging communication gaps through sign language. As a CODA (child of deaf adult), with deep personal and professional roots in the deaf community, Paul brings a unique blend of personal insight and professional expertise to his work.

His experiences range from legal to entertainment interpreting, including teaching sign language to celebrities like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. His passion for innovation is evident in the AI-driven features of this dictionary, aiming to make sign language more accessible for all.

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