COMPUTER in sign language

Computer, email, smartphone, and texting are a blessing technology for most people to have a better quality of life. They bring Deaf people to much equality of communication and litearcy.

ASL signs for "computer"

Several variations of the ASL signs for "personal computer" emerged in the 1980s. Today there are a few common signs for "computer" in American Sign Language. Though, these variations are not unfamiliar to Deaf signers.

Meaning: An electronic machine that can store and work with large amounts of information; personal computer.

The ASL sign for "computer" above is the formal citation compared to the next video below.

This sign is an informal or casual register compared to the video above.

This sign was one of the earliest signs and eventually became obsolete (if not entirely).

Also one of the earliest ASL signs. It may be still used by some Deaf signers.

Another one of the earliest signs that is still used. This visual onomatopeoia resembles the oldest form of computer which was quite giant and non-portable before the advent of "personal computer".

Vocabulary

Related signs: MONITOR, KEYBOARD, MOUSE, INTERNET, WIFI, LAPTOP, DEVICE, SMARTPHONE, EMAIL, artificial intelligence, CAMERA or WEBCAM, COMPUTER SCIENCE.

Written ASL

[Note: ASL writing is not an official standard. This sign language writing remains in a state of open space to allow room for experiment, evolution, and improvement.]

ASL written for COMPUTER

The digit shows the hand moving on the lower arm (which is different from the video that the hand moves on the upper arm). Variation.

ASL written for OLD COMPUTER

The old type of a huge computer.

ASL digit written contributed by the ASLwrite community, 2017.

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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.

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.

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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.