Signs for HEALTH

Definition: the state of being free from illness or injury; healthy.

Opposite: ILLNESS.

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 HEALTHY

Written ASL digit for "HEALTH/Y" contributed by Adrean Clark in the ASLwrite community, 2017.

Deaf Culture and tidbits

Deaf/ASL Bragging Rights

Teresa Fleming (Deaf-ASL Canadian) received the 2014 3M Health Leadership Award at the gala on December 11, 2014 for her leadership and advocacy. Handwave!

Teresa Fleming's Health Leadership award
Photo from Teresa Fleming, December 11, 2014, FB.

Teresa "works and advocates tirelessly for Toronto's Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community to provide Deaf parents with the services and resources they need. Known affectionately as a "force of nature", Teresa is particularly adept at finding agency partners to provide services, engaging them with her enthusiasm, and helping them to understand the Deaf community culture and communication. Within four years, she has successfully helped to increase services, financial and organizational commitments to support parents and young children using sign language (ASL). Teresa is a trusted advocate, a valued leader, and an inspiring agent of positive and lasting change for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing." -- Source: Health Leadership Award, 2014.

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~~ 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.