Or, start with the First 100+ Signs. What does the ASL sign mean? Look up a word in the ASL to English Reverse Dictionary.
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This 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 in American Sign Language.
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: OCCASIONALLY. 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.
~~ Feeling lucky? ¯\(°_o)/¯ Random word ~~
The video shows a baby signing the ASL word NO 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.
What year was this website (formerly DWW, now Handspeak) first created?
This website, formerly "DWW" now Handspeak, launched on February 1s, 1995. Its ASL dictionary (1997) is probably the oldest and earliest ASL dictionary online. The old Internet days are unforgettable. A lot has changed since!
How to sign ENVIRONMENT.
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.
"A different language is a different vision of life."
-- Federico Fellini (1920-1993)
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:
Native and fluent signers look at the configuration (form, movement, and pattern) of a fingerspelled word, not letter by letter. Practice your receptive skill in fingerspelling. Fingerspelling exercise
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.
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The sign language site is one of few most reliable resources and references highly recommended by Deaf native signers, including ASL instructors.