Signing Savvy, Your Sign Language Resource

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 U.S. state signs: (1) Alaska vs. Hawaii vs. Beautiful vs. Pretty vs. Face, (2) Arizona vs. Twin vs. Twin (another variation) vs. Restaurant vs. Cafeteria, (3) California vs. Gold vs. Silver vs. Phone vs. Call vs. Why, (4) Colorado vs. Color vs. Hot (as in, "spicy hot") vs. Hot ( as in, "temperature hot") vs. Friendly vs. Cool (as in, "weather or low temperature"), (5) New York vs. Subway vs. Practice vs. Wash (as in, "washing a surface") vs. vs. Train (as in, "the form of transportation") vs. Movie, (6) Texas vs. Detroit vs. Indianapolis vs. Rochester vs. Philadelphia vs. Kalamazoo vs. Flint vs. Chicago, (7) Texas vs. Need vs. Phoenix, (8) Washington vs. Oregon vs. Cadillac (as in, "the car") vs. Boss, and (9) West Virginia vs. Virginia vs. West vs. Wednesday vs. Right (as in, "the direction")

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!

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.

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 calendar signs: (1) Day vs. Today, (2) Tomorrow vs. Yesterday, (3) Born vs. Birthday , (4) Days of the Week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, (5) Thursday vs. High School, (6) Sunday vs. Wonderful, (7) AM vs. PM, (8) Noon vs. Midnight, and (9) Afternoon vs. Night

Check out these important beginning guidelines for learning to fingerspell... and know that practice is the key.