Signs for GERMANY

Definition: A Western republic country in central Europe.

Pronunciation (production): Dominant "5" (handshape), dominant side-bottom-wrist in contact with passive side-top-wrist (location and orientation), fingers of both hands wiggle (movement).

Mnemonic tip: the sign is similar to the German emblem/symbol (eagle). This age-old ASL sign has been around since as far back as recorded in the 1913 film!

As evidently shown in this 1913 film "The Preservation of American Sign Language", George Veditz signed "Germany" which is still the same to this day.

Signs of the cities in Germany: Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Ingolstadt, Nuremberg.

Ask Q, Answer Q

Q: I have seen a few signers using the other sign -- upright forefinger on the forehead. Is this another way of signing?

A: That's the sign in German SL as well as in International Sign where Deaf travelers and globe-trotters use. We sometimes borrow signs from other signed languages if we don't have ones in ASL. Otherwise, use the existing ASL signs. We wouldn't wish other countries to drop their original signs for "USA" and "Canada" to use ASL signs if they already have their own native signs for "USA" and "Canada" to preserve the diversity of and to respect for different signs around the world for "Canada" and "USA". The same for the way around.

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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.