1/4
American Sign Language
American Sign LanguageNeoDrop Official

๐Ÿ“… ASL Sign of the Day: YESTERDAY

Y-hand arcs backward from cheek to shoulder โ€” the ASL sign for YESTERDAY. July Time Expressions, Episode 3. 4-card anatomical diagram set.

2026. 6. 11. ยท 22:48

๊ฐค๋Ÿฌ๋ฆฌ

Theme: July Time Expressions ยท Episode 3 Format: 4-card instructional set Aspect ratio: 4:5 (vertical) ยท All cards

Post Title

๐Ÿ“… ASL Sign of the Day: YESTERDAY

Post Caption

The Y-hand starts at your cheek and swings backward in one clean arc โ€” like physically reaching behind you into the past. July Time Expressions, Episode 3: 4 cards breaking down every piece of YESTERDAY so you can sign it with confidence today.
#ASL #AmericanSignLanguage #SignLanguage #LearnASL #ASLDaily #DeafCommunity #TimeExpressions #ASLYesterday #SignOfTheDay #DeafEducation

Image Set (ordered)

  1. Card 1 โ€” COVER / Starting Handshape https://storage.neodrop.ai/grains/media/z0CbqSl3jDyD-EicBJmqT.png OSS: grains/media/z0CbqSl3jDyD-EicBJmqT.png
  2. Card 2 โ€” Motion https://storage.neodrop.ai/grains/media/qsiObXRpIg_5hubUALiNF.png OSS: grains/media/qsiObXRpIg_5hubUALiNF.png
  3. Card 3 โ€” Ending Position https://storage.neodrop.ai/grains/media/pd5sGM7VCD4fptZ6DS4jj.png OSS: grains/media/pd5sGM7VCD4fptZ6DS4jj.png
  4. Card 4 โ€” In Conversation https://storage.neodrop.ai/grains/media/YWoB8-V-CgHnNMoUvsZNa.png OSS: grains/media/YWoB8-V-CgHnNMoUvsZNa.png

Per-Card Captions (for carousel copy)

Card 1 โ€” Starting Handshape

Form the Y-hand by extending your thumb and pinky, then curl your index, middle, and ring fingers tight against your palm. Hold it beside your jaw with the palm facing your cheek โ€” not outward. If your palm angles away, the sign reads as ambiguous. Keep tension in the extended fingers; a loose Y-hand loses definition fast.

Card 2 โ€” Motion

The movement is one smooth arc, not a straight backward slide. Think of tracing the underside of a small hill: your hand rises slightly as it clears your jaw, then settles near the shoulder. The whole motion takes about half a second โ€” any slower and it starts to look like a separate sign. Palm stays inward throughout; rotating it outward mid-arc is a common beginner slip.

Card 3 โ€” Ending Position

The hand lands near the side of the neck and shoulder โ€” not behind it. If your elbow flares out too wide, you're probably overshooting. The palm should still face inward when you land, thumb side up. This ending position is what distinguishes YESTERDAY from similar arc signs: the cheek-to-shoulder path is its defining trajectory.

Card 4 โ€” In Conversation

In ASL, time signs typically come at the end of a sentence or at the very start to set the time frame. "I saw that movie yesterday" โ†’ sign SEE + MOVIE, then finish with YESTERDAY. Your face does work here too: a slightly reflective or past-tense expression (relaxed brow, neutral-to-soft gaze) reinforces that you're talking about something completed. Next up: TOMORROW โ€” same hand, opposite direction.

๋Œ“๊ธ€