Sign for "GO" in "TRAIN-GO-SORRY" (Module 7.3 ASL Idioms)

I was wondering about the sign for “go" in TRAIN-GO-SORRY in Module 7.3.

It's different from the usual sign for “go” seen throughout this course. I have looked up “go”, “depart”, “leave” in some online dictionaries, but I couldn't find this sign.

In what other contexts would you find this sign for “go”? How else is it used? Thanks to anyone who can help!

Hi there!

What a great question about a fun sign! This sign for “go” is actually simply the spelling of the word go while moving it to mimic the motion of leaving. As you can see in the video, the G handshape starts where the train is positioned and the letter O in the sign is a modified, flattened O handshape, not the regular fully signed letter. It is used almost poetically as the G handshape gives the idea of a larger object closer to you, in this case the train, while the modified, flattened O handshape serves a dual purpose, finishing out the English word and making the train disappear on the horizon. It is a great example of how ASL plays with letters, signs, handshapes and movement, in this case combining letters and classifiers to make a sign.
 

You can use this sign in other contexts as well! It is linked to the idea of something taking off, or leaving quickly. For example, “Wow, that car is going fast!” Could be signed “Wow, car go!” using the sign used in the video. In this context, and all others not conncted to the train departing, the sign is launched off of the index finger of the non-dominant hand, not the double fingers used in the train example. 

I hope this is helpful - let me know if you have any other questions. Keep up the good work!

Thank you so much for this in-depth response!

You're welcome!