Or, start with the First 100+ Signs. What does the ASL sign mean? Look up a word in the ASL to English Reverse Dictionary.
Sign language resources online at www.handspeak.com.
Jump to
Interested in this web app?
Created in 1995, the website/webapp HandSpeak® is a popular go-to sign language and Deaf culture online resource for college students and learners, language and culture enthusiasts, interpreters, homeschoolers, parents, and professionals across North America for language learning, practice and self-study.
Handwave! I'm Jolanta, the creator of this web app/site since 1995. Very long time, yes! It has been made with endless personal volunteer time, effort, and heart. I hope you will find this sign language resource and reference helpful with your language learning.
Filter: Enter a keyword in the filter field box to see a list of available words with the "All" selection. Click on the page number if needed. Click on the blue link to look up the word. For best result, enter a partial word to see variations of the word.
Alphabetical letters: It's useful for 1) a single-letter word (such as A, B, etc.) and 2) very short words (e.g. "to", "he", etc.) to narrow down the words and pages in the list.
Don't forget to click "All" back when you search another word with a different initial letter.
Or, start with the First 100+ Signs. What does the ASL sign mean? Look up a word in the ASL to English Reverse Dictionary.
Guess what the ASL word mean? See English translation Meaning: EMPOWER. Explore this word in the dictionary.
What does it say? Hover over to see the word. Take me to the page.
Try fingerspelling practice to improve your receptive skill. New to fingerspelling? Learn the ASL alphabet.
The video shows a baby signing the ASL word COOK in the early language acquisition (handshape, location, and movement).
A weekly sentence is available in PatronPlus subscription. To get started for a new learner, learn how to sign "How are you?".
Browse some more phrases and sentences that may give you some insights into how grammar, structure and meaning are constructed in ASL sign language and help you learn how to express them in ASL.
Random pick of some stories, true stories, fables, parables, and poems.
Browse some tutorials for grammar, article posts, etc.
Can you lipread a word? Guess the word.
No matter if you get it right or not. It just illustrates that lipreading is not the best mode of communication for many deaf people.
Deaf artist/rapper/performer Warren Snipe was featured in People magazine in February 2021.
Deaf rapper Warren "Wawa" Snipe performed the national anthem in ASL at Super Bowl LV. Wawa is a Black Deaf writer, rapper, actor and performer. He was featured in several TV series such as "Black Lighting".
Today features one of some notable Deaf African-American heroes who made contributions:
Claudia L. Gordon, African-American lawyer, was appointed by the White House in 2013 as the Associate Director for the Disability Community in the Office of PUblic Engagement.
"SSD Supt. Ernest Garrett III sat in front of Louisiana's Senate Committee to begin the confirmation process for his role as Special School District Superintendent. When confirmed, Mr. Garrett will be the first Deaf African American appointed to this position." -- Deaf Focus, May 28, 2020.
To get started, learn the ABCs in ASL alphabet.
Take a peek what the ASL number is: number.
Learn how to sign numbers 1 to 100.
Guess what the ASL written word mean? Take a peek. Take me to this word.
Disclaimer: Written digits of the ASL words are unofficial and they may evolve over time. The purpose is for exploration and discovery only.
"I cannot understand how a language like sign language - the richest in expressions, the most energetic, the most advantageous in its universal intelligibility is still so neglected and that only the deaf speak it. This is, I confess, one of those irrationalities of the human mind that I cannot explain."
-- Pierre Desloges, 1779
Sign language is a natural, full-fledged language in visual-spatial modality. It has all the features of linguistics from phonology and morphology to syntax as found in spoken language. Signed languages are not a universal language; sign languages, such as British Sign Language (BSL) and French Sign Language (LSF), are distinct languages throughout the world.
American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language of Deaf people in Deaf communities and Deaf families across the United States and Canada. It's also a fast-growing. popular second language or foreign language for hearing people in North America. Like other languages, ASL has its regional variations.
Bilingualism has a number of cognitive benefits. Find out what benefits are for learning sign language. In addition to the benefits of bilingualism, bimodalism and Deafhood also have some extra benefits.
Explore some ways on how to get started with learning sign language.
Signed languages have their own grammar that are different from spoken languages. E.g. ASL and English are two independent languages with their own structure, grammar, vocabulary and so on. In addition, it has its own intonation, including facial expression.
Random grammar tip:
When describing a geographical direction or a shape, use the signer's perspective. Describing basic shapes
Where there is language, there is culture; sign language and Deaf culture are inseparable. Learning sign language and Deaf culture comes with the process of allyship along with awareness toward appreciation and away from cultural appropriation and audism (alliteration, yay!).
Deaf community comprises Deaf people, codas (children of Deaf parents), hard-of-hearing signers, and hearing signers and allies.
To remove ads and unlock premium content, Subscribe today.
The sign language site is one of few most reliable resources and references highly recommended by Deaf native signers, including ASL instructors.