How to sign
L in ASL
L is the ASL sign for l, filed under Alphabet. Watch the clip, then sign it along with the video.
- Single sign
- Alphabet
How to sign l
- 1
Watch the clip once at full speed, then once at half speed. Notice the handshape, where the sign sits, and the direction the hand moves.
- 2
Sign l along with the video. Keep your hand where the signer keeps it; moving a sign up, down, or off to the side can change its meaning.
- 3
Add the face. Even a plain vocabulary sign reads better with natural eye contact and an expression that matches the context.
Common mistakes
- Mouthing the full English sentence while you sign. Mouth the ASL gloss or keep your lips relaxed; ASL is its own language, not English on the hands.
- Signing too low or too far from the body. Keep your signing space between your chest and your chin where it is easy to see.
Keep going
More alphabet signs
Questions about “L”
Yes. This clip shows the common ASL sign for l. Like spoken languages, ASL has regional variation, so you may see small differences from signer to signer.
Guide
ASL Alphabet
Learn all 26 letters of the American Sign Language alphabet with real video for every handshape, the letters beginners mix up, and how to fingerspell your name smoothly.
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