The phrase “standing on business” became a pop culture phrase and is now associated with people who are responsible, authoritative, or simply means that they are very committed. This provides an interesting challenge and opportunity for communication in the world of sign language. Such phrases as “standing on business” are less about being literal and more visual and expressive like sign language has to be, which requires knowledge not just in what this or that mean but also in context.
Standing on Business
The use of idioms, such as “standing on business,” in Black communities has a very long history and is reminiscent of the African American Vernacular English. This mirrors what it means to be hardy, accountable, and how capacity for adhering gets costlier in less ideal contexts of competing interests. Signs translate the words from one language to another in such a way that both meanings—literal and cultural—can be contained into a few signs.
As for idiomatic expressions in sign language, most of them are never directly translated. Instead, they have their signs, which do not portray the intended meaning or feelings. It is for this reason that cultural awareness and contexts are crucial when it comes to signing phrases like “standing on business.”
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Standing Translation in Business
“Standing” translation in business has primarily been concerned with three areas: literal signs.
- You can use a direct method by gesturing where you are going to stand with your two fingers (index and middle) and pointing it upwards in front of the opposite palm.
- “Business” (handshape “B” moves across other hand as if the hand shape takes on motion, like doing work).
- Together, they make a word-for-word English rendering of “standing” + “business.”
Cultural Context
So, it is one of those phrases that likely would sign closer to its meaning than each by each—”standing on business” as a whole idiom, not literally. One can animate facial features and body language to show determination or resilience to stay firm or events of importance. All these build on the meaning of that phrase signed.
Emotional Tone
Because facial expression is a huge part of the content that is conveyed in sign language. For the phrase “STANDING ON BUSINESS,” one’s facial expression should be firm and confident, reflecting seriousness and resolve.
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How to Sign STANDING ON BUSINESS
Create the “Standing” Signal
- Raise two fingers and point up from the other palm as if there is a person standing.
- Think of your palm as the floor and keep the hand flat and firm.
Add the “Business” Sign
- With a “B” handshape (fingers together and pointing up, thumb folded across palm).
- Rotate this hand shape in a small circle by your chest or outwards to show work activity.
Add Voice and Position
- Keep a steady, strong expression on your face.
- Strap on your adrenaline backpack and fix your posture: embody the muscular metaphor that typifies the phrase.
Combine the Signs
- Sign “standing,” then “business,” making sure the transition is smooth.
- Take a brief pause between the two marks and say “standing on business” as if collapsing under its weight.
Combining Two Worlds with Sign Language
The term “standing on business” is the perfect example of how language, culture, and dynamic modalities of expression converge. In this example, sign language allows the expression of some rich idiomatic meaning through non-verbal communication. Not only is mastery of such idioms a part and parcel of general sign language fluency, but full literacy in them also enables tapping into an added layer of shared human experience found throughout broader linguistic and cultural communities around these signs.
Being able to sign such complex phrases as “standing on business” allows a person to express themselves with ideas and feelings in their entirety, while at the same time keeping everyone in the circle with regards to debating or discussing whatever cultural issue. It stands to remind us of the power of overcoming boundaries—spoken and signed