Sign for -MENT Suffix in ASL
Quick answer: The -MENT suffix in ASL is fingerspelled M-E-N-T. It commonly appears in English nouns related to actions, processes, or results.
How to Recognize -MENT
The sequence M-E-N-T appears in many common English nouns. In fluent fingerspelling, the ending often blends together as one movement pattern instead of four isolated letters.
| Dominant Handshape | M, E, N, T |
|---|---|
| Non-Dominant Handshape | N/A |
| Location | Neutral signing space |
| Palm Orientation | Varies by letter |
| Movement | Fingerspelled sequence |
| Non-Manual Markers | None |
Why It Matters
Recognizing -MENT helps students process academic and formal vocabulary more efficiently. Once the suffix becomes familiar, words like development or movement stop feeling painfully long.
Which is good, because some English words seem determined to use every available letter.
Common Mistakes
- Missing the final T.
- Breaking the suffix apart instead of recognizing the full pattern.
- Losing track of the word before the suffix is completed.
Example
ASL gloss: DEVELOP + M-E-N-T
English meaning: development
Responses