Learning Sign Language

Learn American Sign Language: ASL Numbers 0-10

The following article describes the signs for the numbers zero through ten in American Sign Language that signers who use ASL as their primary means of communication must learn. Each number includes a description of the sign as well as the SignWriting...

Body Language - Using Your Head: What is Appropriate in Different Cultures

The majority of conscious body language is conducted through hand signals, but there are a lot of gestures involving head movements and facial expressions too. Gestures such as bowing, cheek kissing and nodding carry various meanings in different cultures...

Discussing Illnesses and Injuries: Medical Terms and Vocabulary in American Sign Language

The following article describes some helpful ASL vocabulary for use by signers while discussing illness and injuries in a medical setting and includes a link to an accompanying downloadable vocabulary study sheet. The descriptions are also helpful for...

Varying Meanings of Hand Signals and Gestures Around the World

This portion of the four part series on conscious body language discusses the meanings of of hand-gestures including A-OK and Applause, or hand clapping, and their origins and interpretations in different cultures.

Communicating With the Face: What Facial Expressions Mean

Facial expressions as a form of body language are manifold and range from joy and approval to distrust and doubt. Learn about conscious body language.

Body Language: What is Aggressive in Different Cultures

Looks and hand signals that are considered friendly in the United States may be construed as aggressive elsewhere in the world. When is eye contact appropriate, a handshake polite and what are the meanings of the OK sign, fig sign and hand thrust in different...

Sign Language Alphabet, Syntax, Grammar, and Fingerspelling

Sign language, or more correctly sign languages, follow their own vocabulary, syntax, and grammar. Learn the fingerspelled alphabet for American Sign Language and British Sign Language as well as some other basic signs and linguistic information in the...

The Meanings of Flirting Gestures in Different Cultures

The playful, romantic overtures known as flirting come naturally to many of us. However, when in another country, your natural flirting behavior can give an entirely different message than you intended. Learn how covert glances, fleeting touches and kisses...

Learning Sign Language - ASL Weather

Do you want to stark speaking with someone, casually? A look at some ASL terms that can be used for signing about the weather. Do you think it will get warmer? Is it going to rain?

Signs for Body Parts in American Sign Language

The following article describes some of the ASL vocabulary used by signers for talking about the human body and includes a link to an accompanying downloadable vocabulary study sheet.