How to sign
Deaf in ASL
Deaf touches an index finger to the ear and then to the mouth (or mouth then ear). Both orders are standard.
- Single sign
- One hand
- Handshape: Index finger (1 hand)
- Ear and mouth
- Deaf World Basics
How to sign deaf
- 1
Touch the tip of your index finger to your ear, just in front of it.
- 2
Move it to touch the side of your mouth or chin.
- 3
Either direction, ear-to-mouth or mouth-to-ear, is correct.
Common mistakes
- Touching the ear and stopping. Both points are part of the sign.
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with Deaf. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “I am deaf.”
Questions about “Deaf”
Yes. It is the standard, respectful sign. The one to avoid is the old HEARING-IMPAIRED construction.
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.