ASL Feelings Signs: Learn Them With Video

Feelings in American Sign Language live on the face as much as in the hands. A sign like curious is made with the hand, but your facial expression is part of the sign. It is not decoration, and the sign looks wrong without it.

Each sign below has a short looping video by a Deaf, fluent ASL signer. Watch the face as well as the hands, slow the video to half speed, and copy both. Each page lists the handshape, the location, the movement and the expression to use. This group follows the feelings category in the AISA School app, and a new page is added as each sign is filmed and checked.

Feelings signs can also show how strong a feeling is: a bigger movement and a stronger expression make the feeling stronger. When you are ready, practice in AISA School with your camera and get instant feedback on your signing.

The signs

A Deaf signer signs CURIOUS in ASL

Curious

A 5 minute practice plan

  1. Minute 1: watch each sign at half speed and copy only the facial expression.

  2. Minutes 2 and 3: add the hands and sign each feeling three times.

  3. Minute 4: sign each feeling once softly and once strongly, changing your expression.

  4. Minute 5: practice one sign in AISA School with your camera and get instant feedback.

Practice these signs in AISA School

Start free. Sign in front of your camera and get instant feedback on your signing.

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