SALT in American Sign Language (ASL)
In American Sign Language (ASL), the sign for salt is a common and recognizable gesture used by both deaf and hearing individuals. The sign represents a natural white crystalline substance that is used to season or preserve food, as well as to give flavor to various dishes.
The ASL Sign for Salt
The basic SALT sign is composed of the dominant hand forming a "V" shape with the index finger and middle finger, while the non-dominant hand also forms a "V" shape with the index and middle fingers. Both sets of fingers quickly alternate a few times. This gesture is similar to the ASL sign for "pepper," which involves alternating the fingers in a "V" shape with the thumb and index finger.
Etymology and origins
The etymology of the ASL sign SALT is believed to have originated from dinner etiquette in the 1800s. Each person had an individual salt dish or spoon and would dip the end of their knife into the salt before seasoning their food. They would then hold the knife over their plate and "tap on" the knife, causing the salt to sprinkle down onto their food.
Deaf around the world
The sign for salt is used globally by the deaf community, including in various countries such as Pakistan, where a deaf Khewra salt miner shared his experiences with a deaf interviewer. Deaf individuals around the world use different variations of the SALT sign, but all convey the meaning of seasoning or preserving food.
Vocabulary and related terms
Related terms to SALT include "pepper" (the similar-sounding word), which has its own unique ASL sign, and the term "salt" itself, which is used as a noun to refer to the crystalline substance, and as a verb to describe the action of seasoning food with salt.
Search Tips and Pointers
When searching for the ASL sign for salt, you can use variations such as "salt sign," "SALT sign," or "salt ASL." You can also search by partial words to see variations of the sign. For best result, enter a short word and select the alphabetical letter for that word on the search page, then click on the blue link.
Subtitles and Variations
There are several variations of the SALT sign that are used in different contexts and contexts. For example, the SALT variation shown uses an V-hand on the dominant hand and an index finger on the non-dominant hand, which is a different version from the original sign.
Adding Words to the Dictionary
The ASL App by Ink & Salt LLC is an inclusive resource that adds new words and signs to the dictionary as they are discovered. If you cannot find a word or sign in the dictionary, you can send a request for the sign to be added to the dictionary.
###SALT is a significant aspect of American Sign Language and is widely used in various contexts, from everyday cooking to international communication. Learning the ASL sign for salt can enhance your understanding of the language and facilitate communication with others who rely on sign language.
