TEXT, TEXTING in sign language

In addition to videophone on devices, texting is the most common use of mobile phone communication for deaf signers.

ASL sign for "text"

How to sign "text" or "texting" in American Sign Language:

Meaning: send a messaging text via mobile phone, cell phone, or PDA; SMS.

Pronunciation (sign description): With both "10" hands with the palms facing each other and in contact, the thumbs flick twice simultaneously, sometimes alternately.

Vocabulary

Related signs: SEND (see one of the variations), PHONE.

Deaf Awareness

Did you know that registered deaf people can call 911 by text for EMERGENCY in Canada and in some regions in the U.S.? This T911 service is available only to registered deaf phone owners.

ILY in texting
I Love You in texting icons. Source: handspeak.com

Did you know that there is a ASL/Deaf culture emoticon in texting? Search by typing "ILY" in an text messaging app and it may convert into an ILY icon.

When you as a hearing person ask a deaf person for their phone number for a service, they usually give you their phone numbers with the note of texting only. Make sure you write down "TEXT ONLY - deaf", especially when you give them to other hearing people such as technicians or representatives. One of some peeves for deaf signers about hearing people that hearing representatives make phone calls, ignoring or missing the "text" notes.

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First 100 words.

  1. again
  2. also
  3. ask
  4. bad
  5. boy
  6. but
  7. can
  8. come
  9. deaf
  10. different
  11. drink
  12. drive
  13. eat
  14. email
  15. excuse
  16. family
  17. feel
  18. few
  19. find
  20. fine
  21. fingerspell
  22. finish
  23. food
  24. for
  25. forget
  26. friend
  27. get
  28. girl
  29. give
  30. go
  31. good
  32. have, has, had
  33. he
  34. hearing
  35. hello
  36. help
  37. home
  38. how
  39. Internet
  40. know
  41. later
  42. like (feeling)
  43. little
  44. live
  45. man
  46. many
  47. me
  48. meet
  49. more
  50. my
  51. name
  52. need
  53. new
  54. no
  55. not
  56. now
  57. ok, okay
  58. old
  59. other
  60. please
  61. remember
  62. same
  63. say
  64. school
  65. see
  66. she
  67. should
  68. sign, signed word
  69. slow
  70. some
  71. sorry
  72. store
  73. take
  74. tell
  75. text, sms
  76. thank, thank you
  77. their
  78. they
  79. think
  80. time
  81. tired
  82. try
  83. understand
  84. use
  85. wait
  86. want
  87. what
  88. when
  89. where
  90. which
  91. who
  92. why
  93. will
  94. with
  95. woman
  96. work
  97. write
  98. yes
  99. you
  100. your

As you feel more comfortable with the first few hundreds of ASL signs, progress further with your vocabulary and learn signing more.