Signing Savvy, Your Sign Language Resource

What is a name sign, how do you use it in conversation, and how are name signs given? Read the article to find the answers.

We are excited to welcome instructor Susan Dramin-Weiss to our team. She is now available for one-on-one tutoring sessions. She is a third-generation Deaf, native signer and has been teaching ASL for 35 years. You may view her availability and schedule sessions with her now through our one-on-one instruction page.

This article is part of our “Signs That Are Close... But Not the Same” series, which highlights signs that look similar, but have different meanings. The signs discussed in this article include food signs: (1) Breakfast vs. Lunch vs. Dinner, (2) Soft Drink vs. Tea vs. Vote, (3) Apple vs. Onion, (4) Water vs. Wine, (5) Eggs vs. Easter, (6) Turkey vs. Dirty vs. Pig, (7) Corn on the Cob vs. Sandwich vs. Picnic, (8) Hamburger vs. Cheeseburger, (9) French Fries vs. 99, (10) Cookie vs. Pie, and (11) Favorite vs. Taste vs. Lucky

Learn how to sign each of the 50 U.S. state names in ASL. Not all states are signed using the same method... some are signed by letter fingerspelling and some have an established sign. Read the article to learn the signs, finding tips, word lists and images to help!

This article is part of our “Signs That Are Close... But Not the Same” series, which highlights signs that look similar, but have different meanings. The signs discussed in this article include family signs: (1) Family vs. Class vs. Team, (2) Girl vs. Aunt vs. Daily, (3) One-Handed Family Signs, (4) Man vs. Woman, (5) Two-Handed Family Signs, and (6) Child vs. Children

Warm-up exercises are essential for signers and deter the possibility of injuries and cumulative trauma disorders. Read the article to find a variety of great stretches to get you warmed up for signing and especially for fingerspelling practice!

Closed captioning took well over 30 years to appear after the onset of television programming. With laws now in place to mandate closed captioning for all new video programming, Deaf and hard of hearing consumers may finally make the most of watching television. However, captions benefit more than just the deaf — second language viewers, elderly with hearing issues, children learning to read, and really anyone watching a movie or show with audio that may be unclear at times (like characters speaking quickly or excitedly or with an accent) or when watching in a loud environment.

Should a hearing person approach an unfamiliar deaf person in public and try signing? Read the article to learn about social cues and keeping common courtesies in mind.

This article is part of our “Signs That Are Close... But Not the Same” series, which highlights signs that look similar, but have different meanings. The signs discussed in this article include signs used when beginning to sign and having conversations: (1) Please vs. Sorry, (2) Please vs. Enjoy, (3) Understand vs. Don't Understand, (4) Know vs. Don't Know, (5) Help Me vs. Help You, (6) Friend vs. Good Friend, (7) Learn vs. Student, and (8) Teach vs. Teacher

ASL fingerspelling has interesting historical roots. Read the article to learn about the history behind the hand shapes.