Explore, discover, and learn sign language
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From beginners to advanced learners, discover all you need for ASL learning. For fluent and native signers, explore and master ASL and bilingualism. This website/webapp HandSpeak® is a popular, go-to online resource for sign language and Deaf culture in North America for language learning, practice, tutorials and self-study for:
- college students and learners
- language and culture enthusiasts
- interpreters, homeschoolers
- parents of deaf children and deaf/hearing babies
- professionals
- deaf bilinguals and codas
Handwave! I'm Jolanta, the creator of this web app/site since 1995. Very long time, yes! It has been made with endless personal volunteer time, effort, and heart. I hope you will find this sign language resource helpful with your language learning in American Sign Language.
25/30th Anniversary
🎉 HandSpeak® is marking its 25/30 year milestone. It began in the pioneering days of the early Internet and has grown through decades of change. It's fulfilling to see this web app continues to support many signers and learners. 🎉
Sign of the Day
Guess what the ASL word mean? See English translation. Explore this word in the dictionary.
First 100+ Signs for beginners.
Reverse ASL Dictionary
Fingerspelling of the Week 🔒
What does it say? Hover over to see the word. Take me to the page.
Try fingerspelling practice to improve your receptive skill.
New to fingerspelling? Learn the ASL alphabet.
Kid Signing of the Week
Watch a baby sign the ASL word FIREFIGHTER in the early language acquisition (handshape, location, and movement).
ASL Numbers
Take a peek what the ASL number is: number.
Sentences PP+
Trivia Question
Can you lipread a word? Guess the word.
- A) for good
- B) forgot
- C) for God
- D) forged
No matter if you get it right or not. It just illustrates that lipreading is not the best mode of communication for many deaf people.
Feeling lucky? Random Word ¯\__(°_o)__/¯
Video
ASL Writing
Guess what the ASL written word mean? Take a peek. Take me to this word.
Disclaimer [?]
Disclaimer: Written digits of the ASL words are unofficial and they may evolve over time. The purpose is for exploration and discovery only.
Grammar tip
In fingerspelling, focus on the form and movement of a fingerspelled word rather than concentrating on each letter. Fingerspelling tips
Signed languages are distinct from spoken languages with their own grammar, structure, and vocabulary. They also include intonation (i.e. facial expressions) and encompasses every linguistic feature found in spoken languages.
"To have another language is to possess a second soul." -- Charlemagne
Women's History Month
Women's History Month is an annual dedicated month that highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in history and contemporary society. Today features one of some notable Deaf women who made contributions:
Dr. Carolyn McCaskill is a Deaf African American author, counselor and professor. She is one of the authors of a book, The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure by Carolyn McCaskill, Ceil Lucas, Robert Bayley, Joseph Hill, et al.
Canadian Deaf Impressionist artist Helen McNicoll (1879-1915) is one of the most notable female artists in Canada. Before her early death, she was elected to the Royal Society of British Artists in 1913 and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1914. Ref
This Week in Deaf/Sign Language History
March 18, 2003: The British government recognized British Sign Language (BSL) as a language in its own right.
Be Happy :)
20 March International Day of Happiness. Be happy. :)
Spring Equinox
Spring illuminates a light at the end of the winter tunnel.
Random Word ¯\__(°_o)__/¯
What is Sign Language?
Sign language is a natural, full-fledged language in visual-spatial modality. It has all the features of linguistics from phonology and morphology to syntax as found in spoken language. Signed languages are not a universal language; sign languages, such as British Sign Language (BSL) and French Sign Language (LSF), are distinct languages throughout the world.
American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language of Deaf people in Deaf communities and Deaf families across the United States and Canada. It's also a fast-growing. popular second language or foreign language for hearing people in North America. Like other languages, ASL has its regional variations.
Language learning
Bilingualism has a number of cognitive benefits. Find out what benefits are for learning sign language. In addition to the benefits of bilingualism, bimodalism and Deafhood also have some extra benefits.
Explore some ways on how to get started with learning sign language.
Deaf community and Deaf culture
Where there is language, there is culture; sign language and Deaf culture are inseparable. Learning sign language and Deaf culture comes with the process of allyship along with awareness toward appreciation and away from cultural appropriation and audism (alliteration, yay!).
Deaf community comprises Deaf people, codas (children of Deaf parents), hard-of-hearing signers, and hearing signers and allies.
Linguistics
Sign language has every linguistic feature from phonology and morphology to syntax as found in spoken language. Numerous studies show that signed languages and spoken languages are equal languages, despite different modalities (visual-spatial and vocal-auditory). They function in the same linguistic regions of the brain. Language acquisition from birth to kindergarten are on the similar timeline.
Testimonials
This sign language site is one of few most reliable resources and references highly recommended by Deaf native signers, including ASL instructors.