How to sign
Sign Slow in ASL
'Sign slow' asks someone to slow down. It's a normal, polite request between signers and the single most useful phrase for a beginner.
- Phrase
- Two hands
- First Signs
- ASL Phrases
How to sign sign slow
- 1
Sign SIGN: two index fingers circling alternately in front of you.
- 2
Sign SLOW: drag one flat hand slowly up the back of the other hand, from fingertips to wrist.
- 3
Keep a friendly, slightly apologetic face. Nobody minds this request.
Common mistakes
- Signing SLOW quickly. The movement should be as slow as the word.
Questions about “Sign Slow”
2 signs: Sign, Slow. ASL leaves out English words like "is", "a", and "the", so the phrase is shorter than the English.
Guide
Greetings
How to say hello, goodbye, good morning, and nice to meet you in ASL, plus the etiquette of getting someone's attention before you sign.
From the blog
How Long Does It Take to Learn ASL? An Honest Timeline
What you can realistically sign after one week, one month, six months, and two years of ASL, and the daily habits that move you between those stages faster.