How to sign
ASL in ASL
ASL is fingerspelled A-S-L, quickly and smoothly, almost as one motion.
- Single sign
- One hand
- Handshape: A, S, L
- Shoulder height
- Deaf World Basics
How to sign asl
- 1
Fingerspell A.
- 2
Shift to S.
- 3
Flick into L. Keep the hand still and let only the fingers move.
Common mistakes
- Spelling slowly. ASL is a lexicalized spelling that fluent signers produce as a single unit.
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with ASL. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “I learn ASL.”
Questions about “ASL”
Yes. This clip shows the common ASL sign for asl. Like spoken languages, ASL has regional variation, so you may see small differences from signer to signer.
Guide
Deaf Culture
What every hearing beginner should know before their first signed conversation: Deaf with a capital D, name signs, eye contact, interpreters, and the signs for all of it.
From the blog
ASL vs BSL: Why American and British Sign Language Are Different Languages
They share almost no signs, use different alphabets, and come from different histories. What that means if you are choosing which to learn.