TURTLE in sign language

In ASL beginner classes, when asking the students to pick their one favorite sign, the sign TURTLE is one of some common favorites among the beginners. :)

Meaning: a slow-moving reptile, enclosed in a scaly or leathery domed shell into which it can retract its head and thick legs.

Pronunciation (production): Dominant "A" handshape, palm facing left if right-handed (orientation), passive palm on top of the dominant thumb (location), thumb flicking twice (movement).

Related signs: REPTILE, TORTOISE, sea turtle.

ASL Storytelling

Watch the fable "The Rabbit and the Turtle" (2009) with English translation in ASL sign Language.

Baby signing TURTLE

This video (Nov. 2018) shows a time lapse of the phonological acquisition in ASL as a first language for the ASL word TURTLE. Watch the accomplishment at age 2;1 (fun and cute).

What surprises many people is that thumb takes time to develop in signed words that involves the use of thumb. Babies and toddlers don't manipulate the signed words with the thumbs that easily in the early phonological (language) development, unlike manipulating objects.

Ad-free Patron: To remove ads or/and unlock premium content, subscribe today or learn more about the features.

~~ Feeling lucky? ¯\(°_o)/¯ Random word ~~

Search Tips and Pointers

Search/Filter: Enter a keyword in the filter/search 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.

Screenshot of dictionary search with notes
Screenshot of the search dictionary

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.

For best result, enter a short word in the search box, then select the alphetical letter (and page number if needed), and click on the blue link.

Screenshot of dictionary search with notes
Screenshot of the search dictionary

Don't forget to click "All" back when you search another word with a different initial letter.

If you cannot find (perhaps overlook) a word but you can still see a list of links, then keep looking until the links disappear! Sharpening your eye or maybe refine your alphabetical index skill. :)

Add a Word: This dictionary is not exhaustive; ASL signs are constantly added to the dictionary. If you don't find a word/sign, you can send your request (only if a single link doesn't show in the result).

Videos: The first video may be NOT the answer you're looking for. There are several signs for different meanings, contexts, and/or variations. Browsing all the way down to the next search box is highly recommended.

Video speed: Signing too fast in the videos? See HELP in the footer.

ASL has its own grammar and structure in sentences that works differently from English. For plurals, verb inflections, word order, etc., learn grammar in the "ASL Learn" section. For search in the dictionary, use the present-time verbs and base words. If you look for "said", look up the word "say". Likewise, if you look for an adjective word, try the noun or vice versa. E.g. The ASL signs for French and France are the same. If you look for a plural word, use a singular word.