How to sign
They / Them in ASL
They (and them) is a point to the side swept in an arc, covering a group of people who aren't you.
- Single sign
- One hand
- Handshape: Index finger (1 hand)
- To the side
- Pronouns
How to sign they
- 1
Point to the side where the group is, or where you've set them up.
- 2
Sweep the point in a small horizontal arc.
- 3
Make the arc bigger for a bigger group.
Common mistakes
- Sweeping across your own chest. That's WE. THEY sweeps away from you.
Keep going
More pronouns signs
Questions about “They”
Yes. They and Them are produced the same way; context tells you which English word fits.
Guide
Pronouns
Pointing is grammar in ASL. Learn the personal and possessive pronouns, why I and ME share one sign, and how to set up people in space so your sentences make sense.
From the blog
The First 50 ASL Signs to Learn (and Why These 50)
A teacher-picked starter vocabulary: greetings, replies, pronouns, question words, and feelings that let you hold a real first conversation. Every sign on video.