Start ASL Dictionary (Legacy)

The first sign is what you would use at the beginning and the second sign is what you would use at the end of a story or anecdote that you want to show as an internal thought or dream.

For this sign, you just sign A-P-T like it is shown. This is called lexicalized fingerspelling and it has become the sign for APARTMENT.

This is the lexicalized version of BUS and is the more accepted ASL sign for this word.

This is the lexicalized sign for DOG.

ACROSS (2)

Examples of how to sign ages can be found in the "Age Numbers" video above and in ASL 1 - Unit 12: More Numbers.

You can see an example of ALL-DAY in the "Duration Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity

You can see an example of ALL-MORNING in the "Duration Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity

You can see an example of ALL-NIGHT in the "Duration Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity

You can learn more about pronouns in Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate! A Student's Guide to Mastering ASL Grammar

You can see an example of EVERY-YEAR (or ANNUAL/ANNUALLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. EVERY-YEAR is signed by taking both hands in fists, with your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant hand (like the beginning of the sign YEAR). Your dominant hand moves forward into the 1-handshape pointing out and back into the starting position twice.

For this sign, you just sign A-P-T like it is shown. This is called lexicalized fingerspelling and it has become the sign for APARTMENT.

APPLE (2)

This is the initialized (English) version of the sign APPLE.

ARCHITECT (2)

Here is the phrase "Are you a student?" in ASL. Notice the signs that are used in this phrase. This phrase is actually signed as: "YOU STUDENT YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).

This phrase is signed as: "YOU DEAF YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).

This phrase is signed as "YOU HUNGRY YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).

This phrase is signed as: "YOU LEARN SIGN?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).

This is signed as "YOU MARRIED YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).

This phrase is signed as "YOUR PARENTS DEAF?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).

ARGUE (2)

ARGUE (3)

This sign is used to describe more of a "SPAT" type of argument.

GO-TO BEACH-t USE SUN PROTECT LOTION, GLASSES SUN, UMBRELLA WHY? CHERISH SKIN.

This sign refers to a dog barking.

This sign can be used for the color black as well as for an African American person.

Another way to sign BREAKFAST is to tap the B handshape on your chin.

This is #BUS - the lexicalized version of BUS and the more accepted ASL sign for this word.

BUS (2)

This is the initialized and more "Signed English" version of the sign #BUS.

This phrase is signed as: "PLEASE SLOW".

This phrase is signed as: "PLEASE SIGN AGAIN".

This phrase is signed as: "FINGERSPELL AGAIN?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up). You can also add PLEASE to this phrase if you want.

This phrase is signed "YOU READ-LIPS YOU?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).

An example of the sign CAN'T can be seen in the video above. He signs, "I can't sleep - I've been tossing and turning all night," and signs, "(SLEEP ME CAN'T)neg TOSS-TURN ALL-NIGHT."

CHANGE (2)

This sign means CHANGE as in "coins."

You learn about Classifiers in ASL 2 - Unit 5

Spoken languages like English are linear--they are expressed one word after the other. ASL, however, is a spatial language and is expressed in the space around you. Classifiers create depth as well as add clarity, movement, and details to conversations and explanations.

Classifiers are written like this: CL:1 (person) "walking slow". The CL indicates that a classifier is being used, the 1 indicates the handshape, the parenthesis indicate what the classifier is representing, and the quotes indicate the inflection being used.

Here are some examples of handshapes and how they can be used for different types of classifiers:

Classifiers are a very important part of ASL. There isn't a sign for every English word and classifiers are able to fill those gaps and create more visual clarity.

COLOR (2)

This is a different signer signing COLOR.

COMPUTER (2)

MIND-YOU GO-TO STORE BUY VOLLEYBALL PINK?

You can see an example of EVERYDAY (or DAILY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. EVERYDAY is signed by making the A-handshape with your dominant hand and brushing your cheek twice with your knuckles. You are basically signing TOMORROW twice quickly.

This video starts with Monday and ends with Sunday.

This sign can be made by moving from your ear to your chin or from your chin to your ear.

This sign is similar to the sign for "but."

Another way to sign DINNER is to tap the D handshape on your chin.

This is signed by signing ORGANIZED with the negative facial expression.

DISORGANIZED (2)

DIVERSITY (2)

This is signed as "YOU HAVE CHILDREN?" with the yes/no question facial expression (eyebrows up).

YOU-LOAN-ME CAR, MIND-YOU

This sign combines the signs WHAT and #DO to create WHAT-do or DO-DO and is used to ask questions like: "What are you doing?", "What do you do?", "What do I do?", or "Do what?"

An example of DO-YOU-MIND can be seen in the video above. He asks, "Do you mind if I borrow your car?" and signs, "you-LOAN-me CAR, DO-YOU-MIND?" You can also see this sign in the image below:

DOCTOR (2)

This is the initialized sign for DOCTOR.

DOG (2)

This is #DOG - the lexicalized sign for DOG.

You can see an example of how to sign DOOR-OPEN in the "Noun/Verb Pairs" video above.

This sign is the same as the sign for "art" and "design."

EMERGENCY!! Fs-ZOO TIGER ESCAPE! (2H)CL:55(claws like stalking prey) SEARCH++ FOOD!

(EVERY-MORNING ME WAKE-UP HAPPY WHY?)rhq, (ALL-NIGHT SLEEP)aff

You can see an example of EVERY-AFTERNOON in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.

You can see an example of EVERY-EVENING in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.

You can see an example of EVERY-MONDAY in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.

You can see an example of EVERY-MONTH (or MONTHLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.

You can see an example of EVERY-MORNING in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. You can also see EVERY-MORNING in the image below:

You can see an example of EVERY-AFTERNOON in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.

You can see an example of EVERY-WEEK (or WEEKLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity.

You can see an example of EVERY-YEAR (or ANNUAL/ANNUALLY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. EVERY-YEAR is signed by taking both hands in fists, with your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant hand (like the beginning of the sign YEAR). Your dominant hand moves forward into the 1-handshape pointing out and back into the starting position twice.

You can see an example of EVERYDAY (or DAILY) in the "Regularity Examples" video above from ASL 2 - Unit 3: Duration and Regularity. EVERYDAY is signed by making the A-handshape with your dominant hand and brushing your cheek twice with your knuckles. You are basically signing TOMORROW twice quickly.

EXAMINE (2)

This is the sign for "EXCUSE-ME" in ASL.

EXCUSE-ME ME SORRY INTERRUPT IMPORTANT INFORM

FALL-DOWN (2)

FAT (2)

You can see an example of FAVORITE in the video above. He says, "Once a week in May my grandfather watches his favorite television show," and signs, "ONCE-A-WEEK fs-MAY MY GRANDFATHER WATCH HIS FAVORITE TV SHOW."

FINE (2)

This is a different signer signing FINE.

This sign is normally used to mean "already" or "all done."

(THIS JOB)top MUST CHECK EMAIL ONCE-MONTH CLEAN COMPUTER