Sign for -SION Suffix in ASL
Quick answer: The -SION suffix in ASL is fingerspelled S-I-O-N. It commonly appears in English nouns connected to actions, processes, or conditions.
How to Recognize -SION
The sequence S-I-O-N appears frequently in academic and formal vocabulary. Skilled fingerspelling readers recognize the ending as a single visual pattern instead of four separate letters.
| Dominant Handshape | S, I, O, N |
|---|---|
| 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 -SION helps students anticipate noun forms in English-based vocabulary. This becomes especially useful in academic interpreting, lectures, and technical discussions where words seem to gain extra syllables out of sheer confidence.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing -SION with -TION.
- Missing the middle I-O sequence.
- Reading the ending too slowly and losing the entire word.
Example
ASL gloss: DECIDE + S-I-O-N
English meaning: decision
Responses