How to Discuss Dining Out with American Sign Language

Everyone enjoys going out to restaurants from time to time, including members of the Deaf community. Familiarize yourself with the signs related to dining out, as well as the signs for certain types of food and dishes.

Deaf people usually point out to the server what they want on the menu. If you’re dining out with Deaf people, don’t try to take control when ordering. They’ve probably been eating in restaurants long before they met you.

ASL doesn’t have established signs for ethnic foods. If the grub is popular, you may see a variety of ways to sign it (if there isn’t already an established sign from its country of origin). In the southwestern part of the United States, Mexican food is popular, and Mexican Sign Language for this ethnic food is pretty well established in the border states.

The following sentences will work up an appetite for any eager signer:

• English: We will eat dinner at a restaurant.

  Sign: RESTAURANT — EVENING FOOD — EAT THERE — WE WILL

  

• English: I like egg rolls.

  Sign: EGG R-O-L-L-S — LIKE ME

  

• English: Tostadas are cheap.

  Sign: TOSTADA — CHEAP

  

• English: She likes tortillas.

  Sign: TORTILLAS — SHE LIKES

  

Language Phrases Glossary

accusative case

When noun or pronoun is the direct object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

dative case

When noun or pronoun is the indirect object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the dative case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

genitive case

When the noun or pronoun indicates possession, you are required switch to the genitive case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

instrumental case

A Russian grammatical term that indicates that the noun or pronoun assist in the carrying out of an action, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

interrogative

Words used to ask questions, such as who, what, when, where, and why.

Language Phrases Glossary

macron

A small, horizontal mark above the vowel that indicates a long vowel sound. Make the vowel sound like its name.

Language Phrases Glossary

nominative case

When noun or pronoun is the subject of the sentence, you are required to switch to the nominative case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

prepositional case

A grammatical case that indicates that the noun or pronoun is the object of a preposition, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending. Used with the Russian prepositions: v (v; in), na (nah; on), o (oh; about), and ob (ohb; about).