MARRIAGE in sign language

How to sign "marriage" in American Sign Language (ASL)?

Definition: The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship.

Phrases

Meaning: arranged marriage.

Meaning: Marriage between partners of the same sex (as recognized in some jurisdictions).

Vocabulary

Related signs: LOVE, WEDDING, PROPOSAL, HUSBAND, WIFE, ANNIVERSARY, COMMON-LAW.

Opposite: DIVORCE

Deaf History

Marriage / AGB — Artist: unknown

Did you know that the prominent proponent of oralism and inventor of telephone Alexander G. Bell has been disgraced by Deaf people and allies who consider AGB an eugenicist?

"In 1884, Bell published a paper 'Upon the Formation of a Deaf Variety of the Human Race,' in which he warned of a 'great calamity' facing the nation: deaf people were forming clubs, socializing with one another and, consequently, marrying other deaf people." ...

"Some eugenicists called for legislation outlawing intermarriage by deaf people, but Bell rejected such a ban as impractical. Instead he proposed the following steps: '(1) Determine the causes that promote intermarriages among the deaf and dumb; and (2) remove them.' The causes he sought to remove were sign language, deaf teachers, and residential schools. His solution was the creation of special day schools taught by hearing teachers who would enforce a ban on sign language." Source: Through Deaf Eyes.

To this day, the AGB organization still practices this concept. The practice violates United Nations human rights.

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

All
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

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.