Sign for the word are

Level: Beginner

Asking how to sign for a word in sign language

There are several ways of asking what a signed word means for beginners. The most simple and common use is the question «what is the sign for [something]».

If something is present in the immediate environment, you can point to an object and sign IX[item] SIGN WHAT?

Whenever an ASL student asks me for a sign for an English word, sometimes in an English-grammar sentence. A very common sentence is HEY, WHAT SIGN (mouthing an English word «for») (fingerspelling an English word)? This approach is usually the quickest way to ask and learn an ASL word. My response depends on the contexts and situations.

Scenario: A student raises her/his hand and asked, WHAT SIGN (mouthing «for») (fingerspelling an English word)? Typically I’d ask them to rephrase it in ASL translated as «Recently you signed a sentence which is English. Try again in ASL.»

Sometimes, the student would redo WHAT SIGN (mentally ‘for’) [fingerspelled word]?

Again, I duplicated the student’s sentence with an additional note, pointing to the mind and mouthing «for». Yeah, I can read your mind. The student giggled. Don’t think «for» in that sentence. But, the word order is still English. Try OSV, I reminded.

(fingerspelling an English word) IX SIGN WHAT? Or, [fingerspelling] IX WHAT SIGN?

That’s better, I encouraged. When a student doesn’t get it, I’d give them a demonstration: (fingerspelling an English word) IX SIGN WHAT? And ask the student to copy or repeat it.

A meaning in context

If it’s a straightforward meaning such as «cat», «silver», etc., I’d show the signed word. But, often I’d remind them for a contextual sentence when they ask for a sign for such multiple-meaning words as, «after», «run», and «finish». I typically reply, DEPEND-ON SENTENCE WHAT to encourage the students to elaborate it or give a sentence in context. This implicitly reminds the students that a meaning of the same word may change in sentences or translation between English and ASL. I’d ask SENTENCE WHAT?

Simple meaning negotiation

Asking what the sign is for a word repeatedly can be so dull. Be a bit more creative with the questions for beginners. ASL students are encouraged to ask what the sign for something is without resorting to fingerspelling an English word whenever possible.

One of some simple strategies is using an opposite of the word. Ask what the opposite of a sign is. Use contrastive structure in this sentence.

[SIGNED-WORD in left space] IX2 OPPOSITE IX1 (right space) SIGN WHAT?

Another strategy is using the category. Ask what the sign is for a set of the objects listed.

Practice ‘opposite’ meaning

Watch the videos below and answer yourself. The instructor is signing «[ASL sign] OPPOSITE WHAT?»; then you answer the opposite of an ASL sign provided by the instructor.

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sign for

1. To provide one’s signature in order to receive or approve of something. Your package is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Please be sure someone will be present to sign for it. A: «I need a signature saying this project was approved.» B: «I can sign for it.»

2. To provide one’s signature (on or for something) in lieu of someone else. A noun or pronoun can be used between «sign» and «for.» The boss isn’t here right now, but I can for her. Sarah will be signing all time slips for me while I’m away.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

sign something for someone

 

1. to sign one’s signature on a paper in place of someone else’s signature. Would you please sign this for me? I can’t sign it right now. Would you sign it for me?

2. to sign a paper for another person, using that person’s name, adding the phrase «by [one’s own name].» When the delivery comes, will you please sign my name for me? I signed Ted’s name for him.

sign for someone

to sign something, using one’s own signature in place of someone else’s signature; to sign something, using another person’s name, adding the phrase «by [one’s own name].» He’s not here. I will sign for him. Where do I sign? Who will sign for Mr. Wilson?

sign for something

to sign a piece of paper indicating that one has received something. Would you sign for this, please? Ted signed for the package and opened it up.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

sign for

v.

To accept some delivery by signing a document: I went to the door to sign for the package.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also:

• put (one’s) seal on (something)
• put (one’s) seal to (something)
• set (one’s) seal to (something)
• set one’s seal on
• set your seal to
• sign into (something)
• (one’s) John Hancock
• Hancock
• Hancocks
• John Hancock

Microsoft Word is one of the most commonly used and the main word processing software in the world.

Therefore, everyone wants to sign a word document online with minimal effort rather than taking a print to sign a document and then scan it.

Signing a word document online free not only saves time but also provides security, convenience and is cost-effective.

Microsoft word makes it easy to add online signatures in a word document.

There are 3 different ways in which you can sign a word document:

1. Insert a signature image to a word document
2. Using the Word Document Signature Blocks
   Requires having a Microsoft Office Digital ID certificate.
3. Online e-signing with ZegalSign
   Works with any Word Document or PDF File.

We are going to discuss each method in detail below.

Intro to Electronic Signing

Electronic signing or e-signature is a modern era alternative to traditional wet-signing of documents such as handwritten signatures or a stamped seals. An electronic signature is often misunderstood as a digital signature. Both are different, however, there are some similarities between the two.

An electronic signature is merely any form of digital/virtual mark included in a document. It can be drawn, inserted as an image, or technically even typed text. A “signature” is valid as long as you “intended” to sign it – regardless of “how” it’s actually applied. Whereas, a digital signature ID (or Digital Signing) is Microsoft’s proprietary name for digitally signing a document. Digital Signing is not just an image, it uses “special standards of encryption” and “hashing algorithms” to attach authenticity (only the owner of a specific certificate can sign a document with that ID) and integrity (it can’t be altered after the signing). It requires both the sender as well as the recipient to purchase the digital certificate.

Both e-signature and digital signature are legally binding and enforceable. However, digital signatures are more secure than e-signatures. In the case of e-signatures, it also depends upon the software where the document is signed. Some software provides more security than others by automatically generating the certificate of time and date whenever a document is signed.

How To Sign Word Documents Online

How To Insert a Signature in a Word Document

To insert an electronic signature to a word document:

Step 1: you need to have a handwritten signature on a blank piece of paper and then scan it.

Step 2: Save the scanned signature on your PC/laptop in any of the formats: .jpg, .png, .bmg, .gif.

Step 3: Place the cursor where you want to add/insert your electronic signatures in a word document.

Step 4: In the Word document, go to Menu tab > Insert > Pictures. Navigate to the location of the scanned signature on your computer to upload it in the word document.

In just these simple steps, you can add an electronic signature to a document.

Apart from inserting/adding an electronic signature to Word documents by uploading a scanned picture from the computer, you can also insert/create a signature line in Word for the signer to sign.

How to sign using the Microsoft Word Signing Feature

Given below are the steps to follow:

Adding a Microsoft Word Signature Block

Step 1: In the Microsoft Word document, go to Menu Tab >  Insert > text field > add a Microsoft Office Signature Line.

Step 2: A Signature set up box pops up, fill in the details of the intended signer (such as Signer Name, title, email address) who will sign the document.  

Step 3: Click ok, the signature line will be added to your document. Drag and drop it at the place in the document where you want the intended signer to sign. X denotes the place where the intended signer is to sign.

Note: You can add more than one signature line in one document if the intended signers are more than one. Follow these steps as many times you want to add a signature line.

Step 4: Send the document to the intended signer to sign.

After you have sent the document to an intended signer, in which way the receiver can add/create his signatures to the document. Below is the process for an intended signer/receiver  to draw or create his signatures in a word document

Signing a Microsoft Word Signature Block

For a receiver to add signatures in a word document, he must have a digital certificate from Microsoft. Below are the steps for a receiver to draw signatures in a word document:

Step 1: Open the word document where you intend to draw/insert the signature.

Step 2: The intended signer will see the yellow line which mentions view signatures.

Step 3, 4: Follow the steps given in the image:

Step 5: For a receiver to sign a word document online or draw signatures in the word online, he needs a digital ID from Microsoft. 

In order to digitally sign with Microsoft Word,  you will need a Microsoft Digital ID. If you do not have a digital ID, you may consider the 3rd option, i.e.  online e-signing

Online Signing using ZegalSign

If you don’t have a digital ID, you can sign a document online using ZegalSign. It allows you to electronically sign a document when you receive any document to sign. Follow the below steps to sign a document online for free:

Upload a Document (Word / PDF)

Step 1: Go to zegal.com and on the top right corner > Start now free to create a free account on Zegal.

Step 2: Go to Upload & Sign and upload any Word Document or PDF document.

Step 3: Once the document is uploaded, then start signing.

Place Signature Blocks

Place signature blocks on the document where you would like your recipient to sign

Click Send

Click on start signing, it gets activated, and then sign the document by drawing, typing, or uploading a signature image to sign the document.

Conclusion

This modern era usage of e-signature has changed the way documents are signed and individuals/companies operate their businesses. The debate is whether the tools/options provided in Microsoft Word are sufficient to meet the requirements. Simply adding an image of a signature can be done using Microsoft Word for free. However, the challenge here is that to digitally sign a document in Microsoft Word, one needs to purchase a Digital Certificate. This is where the 3rd option like online signing using Zegal or other platforms can be explored which also allows adding e-signatures by simply uploading the document online.

Related Articles

• 6 Great E-Signature Apps
• Different types of electronic signatures

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