Mastering Past Tense In American Sign Language: How To Sign "Was" And Express The Past
In American Sign Language (ASL), the English concept of "was" is typically conveyed using the "PAST" sign or by establishing a temporal frame at the beginning of a sentence. Rather than using a literal word-for-word translation, ASL utilizes an imaginary timeline where movement behind the body signifies prior events, requiring precise handshape, location, and movement parameters to ensure grammatical clarity.
Linguistic Foundations and Physical Preparation for ASL Tense Markers
Before executing the signs for "was" or other past tense markers, it is essential to understand the spatial logic of American Sign Language. ASL utilizes a "Time Line" system where the area directly in front of the body represents the present, the area further forward represents the future, and the space over or behind the shoulder represents the past. To communicate "was" effectively, you must master the fundamental mechanics of the signing space and the "Zero Copula" rule.
Essential Prerequisite Checklist
- Dominant Hand Identification: Determine your primary signing hand (right for right-handed individuals, left for left-handed). All primary movement for tense markers must originate from or be led by the dominant hand to maintain linguistic consistency.
- The Signing Space (The Box): Ensure you have a clear range of motion extending from your mid-torso to the top of your head and about one foot out from your shoulders.
- Understanding the Zero Copula: In ASL, "to be" verbs (am, is, are, was, were) are often omitted if the tense is already established. For example, "I was happy" is often signed as "PAST I HAPPY" or "YESTERDAY I HAPPY."
- Mirror for Feedback: Use a high-quality mirror or a video recording device to monitor your handshape (the specific configuration of your fingers) and orientation (the direction your palm faces).
- Linguistic Duration: Allow 10–15 minutes of focused repetition to build the muscle memory required for the "PAST" sign, which serves as the most common functional equivalent for "was."
Step-by-Step Execution of the "PAST" Sign and Temporal Context
To say "was" in ASL, you will most frequently use the sign for "PAST." This sign acts as a broad indicator that the state of being or action occurred previously. In certain educational settings or Signed Exact English (SEE), a specific initialized sign for "was" exists, but for natural ASL communication, the "PAST" marker is the standard.
Step 1: Establishing the Correct Handshape
Begin with your dominant hand in the "Open B" or "Flat Hand" position. This involves extending all four fingers upward, touching each other, with the thumb tucked naturally against the side of the palm or slightly extended. The hand should be firm but not rigid. This handshape is the technical foundation for many temporal signs in ASL.
Step 2: Positioning the Location
Lift your dominant hand to the side of your face, near your ear or cheek. The palm should be facing toward your body or slightly backward. This location is critical because it places the hand at the starting point of the "past" section of the ASL timeline.
Step 3: Executing the Movement
Move your hand backward over your shoulder in a slight "toss" or "wave" motion. The movement should be fluid.
- Short Movement: A quick, short movement indicates the recent past (e.g., "was just").
- Extended Movement: A larger, more emphasized movement indicates something that happened a long time ago.
- Directional Accuracy: Ensure the hand moves straight back over the shoulder rather than out to the side, as diagonal movement can change the meaning of the sign in specific dialects.
Pro-Tip: ASL is a "Topic-Comment" language. If you are signing "The dog was big," you sign "DOG, PAST BIG." You do not need to sign a specific word for "was" between every noun and adjective.
Step 4: Applying Non-Manual Markers (NMMs)
Non-Manual Markers are facial expressions and body movements that provide grammatical depth. When signing "PAST" to indicate "was," your facial expression should reflect the distance in time.
- Recent Past: Slightly squint your eyes and perhaps tilt your head to the side.
- Distant Past: Open your eyes slightly wider or drop your jaw slightly to indicate a significant passage of time.
- Consistency: Your facial expression must match the intensity and "size" of the hand movement to avoid linguistic dissonance.
Step 5: Implementing the Signed Exact English (SEE) Alternative
If you are in a specialized educational environment that requires Signed Exact English (SEE), the sign for "was" is initialized.
- Form the "W" handshape (index, middle, and ring fingers extended in a V-shape with the pinky and thumb tucked).
- Place the thumb-side of the "W" near your chin or cheek.
- Move the hand backward while transitioning the handshape from a "W" to an "S" (a closed fist).
Warning: Using the SEE version of "was" in a conversation with a native ASL user may be perceived as "Signed English" rather than American Sign Language. Only use this version if specifically instructed in a MCE (Manually Coded English) environment.
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Temporal Parameters and Tense Markers Comparison
The following table outlines the technical specifications for various past-tense markers that function as the word "was" depending on the specific temporal context of the sentence.
| Sign Category | Handshape | Location | Movement Pattern | Linguistic Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General PAST | Open B / Flat Hand | Ear/Cheek Height | Single backward "toss" over shoulder | Used for general "was" or "were" statements. |
| BEFORE / AGO | Open B / Flat Hand | Shoulder Level | Repeated slight backward pulses | Indicates a state that existed prior to another event. |
| LONG-AGO | Open B / Flat Hand | Above Shoulder | Large, circular backward arc | Represents "was" in the context of ancient or distant history. |
| RECENTLY | Modified X (Bent Index) | Cheek | Small, rapid back-and-forth shake | Represents "was just" or "happened recently." |
| WAS (SEE Version) | W-to-S Transition | Chin to Shoulder | Linear backward movement | Literal word-for-word translation in SEE systems. |
Troubleshooting Common Errors in Tense Signage
Inaccurate execution of tense markers can lead to significant confusion regarding when an event took place. Below are the most frequent failures encountered by students and their technical remedies.
Failure 1: Breaking the Time Line (Forward Movement)
- Root Cause: Accidentally moving the "PAST" sign forward toward the chest or away from the body.
- Actionable Fix: Practice in front of a wall. The back of your hand should almost graze your shoulder as it moves backward. Any forward motion automatically indicates the future tense in ASL, which will invert your meaning.
Failure 2: Dominance Switching
- Root Cause: Using the right hand for "PAST" and the left hand for the subject of the sentence without a grammatical reason.
- Actionable Fix: Commit to one dominant hand. If you are right-handed, the "PAST" sign must always be performed with the right hand. Switching hands mid-sentence is equivalent to a "visual stutter" and can confuse the listener.
Failure 3: Over-reliance on the Literal "Was"
- Root Cause: Attempting to sign every word of an English sentence (e.g., "The weather was cold").
- Actionable Fix: Adopt the ASL "Time-First" rule. Sign "YESTERDAY, WEATHER COLD." By establishing the time (Yesterday), you have already communicated the "was" aspect. Native signers do not sign a separate marker for "was" if the time is already known.
Failure 4: Neutral Facial Expression
- Root Cause: Maintaining a "stone face" while signing about the past.
- Actionable Fix: Use your eyebrows and head tilt. If something "was" a long time ago, your head should tilt back slightly. If it "was" just a moment ago, a slight shoulder shrug or a specific "cs" (cheek-to-shoulder) facial marker is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign "was" for every sentence that is in the past tense?
No, ASL does not require a constant "was" marker. Once you establish the time frame (e.g., "Last week" or "Past"), all subsequent signs are understood to be in that tense until you introduce a new time marker. This is more efficient than the English requirement of conjugating every verb.
What is the difference between "was" and "were" in ASL?
There is no distinction between "was" and "were" in American Sign Language. Both are plural/singular variations of the same concept of past existence. ASL focuses on the concept of the time rather than the numerical agreement of the verb.
How do I sign "was" if I'm talking about someone who passed away?
In this context, you typically wouldn't use the sign for "was." Instead, you would use the sign for "DEAD," "PASSED-AWAY," or simply establish the person's life in the past timeline. The tense is implied by the context of the conversation about that person.
Is the sign for "was" the same as the sign for "yesterday"?
No. While both involve moving toward the back of the body, "yesterday" uses a "Y" handshape or a thumb-extended "A" handshape starting at the chin and moving toward the jawline/ear. "PAST" (was) uses an open palm and moves entirely over the shoulder.
Why does my ASL teacher tell me not to use the "W-S" sign for "was"?
Most ASL instructors prioritize conceptual accuracy over English transliteration. The "W-S" sign is part of Manually Coded English (MCE), which is a system designed to teach English grammar to Deaf children, but it is not considered "true" ASL. Using the "PAST" marker or temporal adverbs is more linguistically authentic.
Enhance Your American Sign Language Proficiency
Mastering the nuances of tense markers is a pivotal step toward achieving fluency and cultural competence within the Deaf community. Continue your journey by exploring the complexities of ASL syntax and directional verbs to build more dynamic and natural conversations.
