Signs for "sign language"

There are different signed languages around the world. Even, there are different signs for 'sign language' in other signed languages.

ASL signs for 'sign language'

How do you say 'sign language' in ASL?

Meaning: a language in visual-spatial modality (signing) used by Deaf people and signers; the opposite medium of vocal-aural modality (speech) used by hearing people.

Related signs for 'sign language'

Related signs: LANGUAGE, SIGN/WORD, DEAF, BILINGUAL-BICULTURAL, HANDSPEAK® (the name of this website).

Is sign language universal? No, there are different signed languages around the world, such as ASL (American Sign Language), BSL (British Sign Language), Auslan (Australian Sign Language), PLAINS INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE, and hundreds of other signed languages.

Quotes: food for thought

"Sign language is a human right, it is not just an option. Not a privilege." -- Meme, 21st century.

"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.

"The belief that speech is central to language is an analog to the belief that earth is the center of the universe. The former is still practiced today -- hundreds of years older than the latter." -- Jolanta Lapiak, 2000s.

Language deconstruction

"Signed language" is a term equivalent to "spoken language". Likewise, Sign language to speech language.

American Sign Language (ASL) is itself a language rather than "a sign language", no less than spoken language, as no one says English, French, or other spoken-language is a speech language instead of "language". The existence of "sign language" implies a hierarchical system of reality and perception.

Another thing to deconstruct, people often say "I learned sign language", "I know sign language a little". Which language? Sign language. Which sign language? ASL. Okay. No one says "I'm learning speech language." Right? Which speech language? French? Spanish?

Usage/Grammar

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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.

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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.

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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.