Asl - Blog Posts
Cook
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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Cook in American Sign Language. Both hands in open B handshape. Dominant hand hits base hand palm with palm down then palm up. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent green, blue, and purple in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Human
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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Human in American Sign Language. H handshape taps at the shoulder then the waist. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent green and blue in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Stupid
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined, The ASL Lab
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The Sign for Stupid in American Sign Language. Back of the hand in V handshape taps forehead. Arm and crossed eyes are translucent pink. Background is white.
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Variety
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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Variety in American Sign Language. Both hands in 1 handshape pointing forward together move apart and alternately point upwards and downwards as they turn away. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue, purple, and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Support
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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Support in American Sign Language. Both hands in S handshape. Base hand moves up so pinky side of dominant hand rests on knuckles of base hand. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Mountain
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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Mountain in American Sign Language. Both hands in S handshape. Dominant hand taps base hand then both open to open B handshape inclined upwards and to the side. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue and grey with a snowy mountain pattern in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Chocolate
Fairtrade Chocolate
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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Chocolate in American Sign Language. C handshape moves in circles on the back of base hand. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent brown and white in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Error
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Error in American Sign Language. Knuckles of Y handshape with palm facing signer rest on the chin. The hand, face outline, and :/ emotion represent the face are green with a glow effect. Background is black.
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I made it spacey
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The previous graphic, star in ASL, but with a starry pattern
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Star
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Star in American Sign Language. Both hands in 1 handshape with palms facing away from signer point up and rub sides of index fingers. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue, purple, and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Learn ASL
These are some online resources, but ASL is a three dimensional language. The best way to learn is in person with a Deaf teacher. Check your local Deaf center for more resources and events. These resources provide a good place to start and build your vocabulary
Lessons, Quizzes, Dictionaries
ASLDeafined.com (Lessons in ASL, Deaf Culture/History, Interpreter information, and Dictionary) This one is $36/year. It's my favorite because it's structured well and asl includes lessons on Deaf culture and historical figures. When I took ASL classes from my local Center of the Deaf, they used this resource to structure the classes.
SigningSavvy.com (ASL Dictionary and beginner's info)
Lifeprint.com (Dictionary and beginner’s info)
aslpro.com (ASL dictionaries; and quizzes)
Videos, News, Vlogs, Podcasts
Watching native signers sign, even if it's above your current level, will help you learn much faster and more naturally
aslized.org (stories, jokes, poems and speeches in ASL)
Sign1News (News stories in ASL. They also have a YouTube channel and app)
The ASL Lab (YouTube channel; goes into depth about specific signs and grammatical structures)
What the Deaf?(podcast by two Deaf women explores different perspectives and challenges. Season 2 focuses on the film industry. You can listen in English and/or watch in ASL)
Imani(Faith)
Faith
Sources: National Black Deaf Advocates, SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Faith in American Sign Language. F handshape taps forehead then taps base hand in F handshape. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent red, green, and black in different stages of the sign. Eyes are black. Background is white.
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New
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for new in American Sign Language. Both hands in bent open B handshape. Dominant hand scrapes across the palm of the base hand and up following the curve of the hand. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue, purple, and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Jellyfish
Sources: SigningSavvy
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Hand in C handshape rests fingertips on base hand which pulses between 5 handshape and C handshape, moving upward every time it moves to C handshape. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue, purple, and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Kuumba(Creativity)
Creativity
Sources: National Black Deaf Advocates, SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Creativity in American Sign Language. Both hands in 4 handshape with palms out alternately tap forehead with the index fingers. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent red and green in different stages of the sign. Eyes are black. Background is white.
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Fish
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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Hand in open B handshape wiggles like a fish as it moves forward. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue, purple, and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Nia(Purpose)
Purpose
Sources: National Black Deaf Advocates, SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Purpose in American Sign Language. V handshape with palm facing signer taps palm of base hand, then twists so palm faces away from signer and taps palm base of hand again. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent red, green, and black in different stages of the sign. Background is white.
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Bee
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Bee in American Sign Language. Hand in F handshape taps cheek then B handshape brushes side of the chin. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue, purple, and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is transparent.
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Ujamaa(Collective Economics)
Support black business!
Collective Economics
Sources: National Black Deaf Advocates
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The Sign for Collective Economics in American Sign Language.
Collective is signed with both hands linked in bent, open B handshape, arms parallel to the ground. Hands pull each other in a circle motion. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent black in different stages of the sign.
Economics is signed with hand in E handshape, palm up tapping base hand in open B handshape with palm up. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent green in different stages of the sign.
Background is white.
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Biology
Sourc
es: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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Both hands in B handshape alternately circle downward. Motion is similar to the sign for science or pouring beakers. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue, purple, and pink. Background is white.
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Fancy
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Fancy in American Sign Language. Hand in 5 handshape. Thumb prushes upwards against the chest two or three times. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is white.
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Ujima(Collective Work and Responsibility)
Collective Work and Responsibility
Sources: National Black Deaf Advocates
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The sign for Collective Work and Responsibility in American Sign Language.
Collective is signed with both hands linked in F handshape. Hands pull each other in a circle parallel to the ground in front of the signer. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent black in different stages of the sign.
Work is signed with both hands in the S handshape. Heal of dominant hand taps 2-3 times on thumb side of base hand. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent red in different stages of the sign.
Responsibility is signed with both hands in bent, open B handshape tapping dominant side shoulder 2-3 times with fingertips. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent green in different stages of the sign.
Space between Work and Responsibility implies the body shift version of And in ASL. Background is white.
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Kujichagulia(Self-Determination)
Self-Determination
Sources: National Black Deaf Advocates, SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Self-Determination in American Sign Language. Thumb of hand in A handshape taps chest, then both hands in F handshape palms down at waist height move down firmly. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent black, red, and green in different stages of the sign. Background is white.
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Umoja (Unity)
Unity
Sources: National Black Deaf Advocates, SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The word for Unity in American Sign Language. Both Hand are linked in F handshape. Hands pull each other in a circle parallel to the ground in front of the signer. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent red, green, and black in different stages of the sign. Background is white.
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Happy Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa
Sources: National Black Deaf Advocates, SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Kwanzaa in American Sign Language. Both hands in L handshape swoop away from each other and middle finger flicks up to end in 3 handshape. Palm can be oriented towards or away from signer; this image shows them facing away. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent red and green in different stages of the sign. Background is translucent.
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Rest
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Rest in American Sign Language. Both hands in open B handshape with palms facing signer are crossed over the signers chest. Hands rest on the chest below the opposite shoulder. Sign is illustrated by arms that are translucent purple and pink. Background is white.
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Can
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Can in American Sign Language. Both hands in S handshape, palms down move down firmly to waist height. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent blue and pink in different stages of the sign. Background is white.
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Aro
Sources: Rogan Shannon
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The sign for Aro in American Sign Language in the colors of the aromantic pride colors. The handshapes A, R, and O in translucent green, light green, and grey with black nails. The hands are translucent and overlapping.
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out of curiosity, do you have a favorite variation of the sign for “queer”? ive seen the rainbow one propped up lately but ive always loved and preferred the variations with the open 8.
anyways fjfkfskdjg thats all.
- @asl-emojis
I hadn't seen the open 8 one before. In looking it up I found two.
There was one where the middle finger brushes past the side of the signers head. The author said about the sign "To me, this sign reflects our history as a resilient community"
The other was flicking out from under the chin. "this sign succinctly can be interpreted as an identity of “I’m not queer as in gay, but queer as in f*ck you!”"
I've always liked the rainbow version but the "queer as in fuck you" might be a new favorite
Turtle
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Turtle in American Sign Language. A handshape with tumb up covered by base hand representing a turtle shell. Thumb on dominant hand wiggles. Movement is illustrated by hands that are translucent green and brown in different stages of the sign. Background is white.
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Snow
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
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The sign for Snow in American Sign Language. Both hands in 5 handshape wiggle fingers as they move down. Movement is illustrated by arms that are translucent shades of blue in different stages of the sign. Background is white.
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