Signing Dates – Signing Months

By Brenda Cartwright
Monday, June 16, 2025

This article is written by Brenda Cartwright (BC). Brenda is a Coda, seasoned interpreter, a master teacher and a well known author. BC also contributes numerous blog articles for Signing Savvy. Look for them on the “Articles” tab on our website.

In this series of articles, I discuss how to sign dates in American Sign Language. In this article, in particular, I discuss how to sign the months of the year.

Are you ready for some fingerspelling? The key to signing months in American Sign Language is remembering if the whole word is spelled or if an abbreviation is used. We have some tools to help you remember.

1. Review the list of how each month is signed.

See how each month is signed in the list below.

Is the full month fingerspelled? (MARCH, APRIL, MAY, JUNE and JULY)

If an abbreviation is signed for the month, what letters are used? (JANuary, FEBruary, AUGust, SEPTember, OCTober, NOVember, and DECember)

Video	Format	Fingerspell
	Abbreviation	J-A-N
	Abbreviation	F-E-B
	Spelled	M-A-R-C-H
	Spelled	A-P-R-I-L
	Spelled	M-A-Y
	Spelled	J-U-N-E
	Spelled	J-U-L-Y
	Abbreviation	A-U-G
	Abbreviation	S-E-P-T
	Abbreviation	O-C-T
	Abbreviation	N-O-V
	Abbreviation	D-E-C

2. Download the helpful handout.

Use this handout as a visual reminder of how each month is signed. This is a printable reference, the size of a piece of paper.

Signing Savvy Member Feature: Download this image / flyer as a printable PDF page.

3. View each sign in the pre-built wordlist.

Go to the WORDLIST: Months of the Year to view the sign video of each month. Practice along as you see each month signed.

4. Practice using the quizzing and digital flash card tools.

In addition to viewing each of the signs, you can use Signing Savvy's quizzing and digital flash card tools to practice and test yourself. Go to the WORDLIST: Months of the Year and select "Practice with Flash Cards" or "Create Quiz and Test Yourself" to get started.

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About the Author

Brenda Cartwright is a Coda, seasoned interpreter, a master teacher, well known presenter, and author of several best selling sign language and interpreting textbooks from the RID Press. For 35 years Brenda was the Chair of the Sign Language Interpreter Program at Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan.