Most spoken languages have their own dedicated sign in ASL, though some less common ones need to be fingerspelled. The signs typically reference something culturally or visually associated with the country or people who speak that language, making many of them intuitive once you learn the connection.
Common Language Signs in ASL
Several of the most frequently referenced languages have well-established, widely recognized signs. Here are some of the most common ones and how they’re formed:
- Spanish: Place both hands near your shoulders and mime pulling a shirt collar together, or draw your index fingers from your temples down and back (referencing a traditional hat shape). Regional variations exist for this sign.
- French: Form the letter F in the manual alphabet, then twist your wrist outward in a quick flick. This is a compact, widely used sign.
- German: Cross both open hands in front of you with fingers spread, then pull them apart while wiggling the fingers. This references the shape of the German eagle.
- Chinese: Point your index finger to the outer corner of your eye area, then trace it down and across your chest. Some signers instead point to the side of the face and twist the finger. Note that several older signs for Asian languages are now considered offensive, so it’s worth learning from a current, culturally aware source.
- Japanese: Use both hands to form the letter G (or a pinching shape) near one side of your face, referencing the geographic shape of Japan.
- Italian: Draw a cross on your body with your index finger, or trace the letter I down the center of your face from forehead to chin.
- Russian: Tap both flat hands on either side of your waist, palms facing down, referencing a traditional tunic or belt.
- English: Clasp both hands together in front of you, with one hand wrapping over the other, and pull them toward your body.
These signs can vary by region. ASL, like any living language, has dialects, and a signer in California may use a slightly different form than a signer in New York. If someone doesn’t recognize your sign, fingerspelling the language name is always a reliable backup.
When to Fingerspell Instead
Fingerspelling is the go-to method for any language that doesn’t have a widely established sign. Less commonly referenced languages like Tagalog, Swahili, or Urdu typically get fingerspelled because there simply isn’t a sign that most ASL users would recognize. The manual alphabet exists specifically to fill these gaps, letting signers spell out names of people, places, and things that lack a dedicated sign.
Even for languages that do have a recognized sign, you might fingerspell the first time you mention it in a conversation, then switch to the sign once your meaning is clear. This is a common ASL strategy for establishing context, similar to how a writer might use a full name before switching to a last name.
How to Build the Sentence
ASL follows its own grammar, which differs significantly from English word order. The language frequently uses a topic-comment structure, where you state the topic first and then comment on it. Time references come at the beginning of a sentence.
So while in English you’d say “I’m learning Spanish,” in ASL the structure would be closer to SPANISH ME LEARN. If you wanted to say “She spoke French yesterday,” you’d sign YESTERDAY FRENCH SHE SPEAK. The time marker (yesterday) leads, the topic (French) comes next, and the comment (she spoke it) follows.
To say you speak a language, sign the language name, then point to yourself, then sign SPEAK or KNOW (depending on whether you’re emphasizing fluency or just ability). To ask someone what language they speak, you’d sign LANGUAGE YOU SPEAK WHAT, with the question word at the end and raised eyebrows to indicate you’re asking a question.
Signing “Language” Itself
The sign for LANGUAGE in ASL is made by forming both hands into the letter L (index finger pointing up, thumb pointing sideways), placing them near each other in front of your chest, and pulling them apart to either side. This is the base sign you’ll combine with other signs when talking about languages in general.
There’s also a related sign, ACCENT, which covers the concepts of accent, dialect, and regional language. It’s useful when you’re not just identifying a language but describing how someone uses it, like noting that a person signs with a regional style or speaks with a particular accent.
Tips for Getting the Signs Right
Many language signs have evolved over time, and some older versions carry cultural baggage. Signs that reference physical features of a racial or ethnic group are increasingly considered inappropriate in the Deaf community. When learning these signs, prioritize sources created by Deaf signers and published recently. Video dictionaries like ASL Signbank at Yale, Handspeak, and Lifeprint are reliable starting points.
Practice the signs in full sentences rather than in isolation. Because ASL grammar structures information differently than English, drilling a sign alone won’t prepare you for actual conversation. Pair the language sign with verbs like LEARN, SPEAK, KNOW, TEACH, and UNDERSTAND so the combinations feel natural. Facial expression matters too: raised eyebrows for yes/no questions, furrowed brows for open-ended questions, and natural affect for statements all change the meaning of what you sign.