Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Again"

the sign 'again' uses both hands. Relax both hands so they are a little bit cupped. Bring the non-dominant hand to chest height, with the palm facing up. With the dominant hand, hold it a little higher than the non-dominant, again with the palm facing up. The hand should be orientated so the palm is closer to your chest and the fingers are away from you. Rotate the dominant hand at the wrist so the fingertips of the dominant hand touch the palm of the non-dominant, keeping the hands cupped in the process.

Examples Using "Again" in a Sentence

1

Can you show me that again?

Point to the person, sign 'show', point to yourself, and then perform the sign for 'again' by rotating your dominant wrist to tap your cupped fingertips into your non-dominant palm. Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

2

I want to read the book again.

Point to yourself, sign 'want', sign 'book', and finish with 'again' by bringing your cupped dominant fingertips into your open, upward-facing non-dominant palm.

3

It is raining again!

Sign 'rain' by bringing both hands down with clawed fingers, then sign 'again' with an emphasized, slightly sharper wrist rotation to show your frustration or surprise.

How to Sign "Again"
the sign 'again' uses both hands. Relax both hands so they are a little bit cupped. Bring the non-dominant hand to chest height, with the palm facing up. With the dominant hand, hold it a little higher than the non-dominant, again with the palm facing up. The hand should be orientated so the palm is closer to your chest and the fingers are away from you. Rotate the dominant hand at the wrist so the fingertips of the dominant hand touch the palm of the non-dominant, keeping the hands cupped in the process.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'again' visually represents taking an action or an idea and repeating it. The non-dominant hand acts as a stationary base or foundation, while the dominant hand's arcing motion and landing symbolize bringing a concept back around for a second time, literally 'falling back' into place.
Signing Tips
Keep your hands relaxed and slightly cupped; rigid fingers will make the sign look unnatural. Focus on the wrist movement of your dominant hand rather than moving your whole arm. The pivot happens at the wrist, allowing your dominant fingertips to land smoothly into the center of your non-dominant palm.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake is clapping the whole dominant hand against the non-dominant hand instead of just using the fingertips. Another common error is keeping the hands completely flat and stiff rather than maintaining the natural, slightly cupped shape. Make sure only the dominant hand moves while the non-dominant hand stays still as a base.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Again" in a Sentence
1

Can you show me that again?

Point to the person, sign 'show', point to yourself, and then perform the sign for 'again' by rotating your dominant wrist to tap your cupped fingertips into your non-dominant palm. Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

2

I want to read the book again.

Point to yourself, sign 'want', sign 'book', and finish with 'again' by bringing your cupped dominant fingertips into your open, upward-facing non-dominant palm.

3

It is raining again!

Sign 'rain' by bringing both hands down with clawed fingers, then sign 'again' with an emphasized, slightly sharper wrist rotation to show your frustration or surprise.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which hand is the base?

Yes, your non-dominant hand should always be the stationary base with the palm facing up. Your dominant hand is the active hand that does the moving and rotating to tap the base hand.

How hard should I tap my hand?

It should be a gentle, controlled tap of the fingertips into the palm. If you are frustrated or emphasizing that something has happened many times, you can tap it more firmly or repeat the motion, but generally, a light touch is perfect.

Can I use this sign to mean 'repeat'?

Absolutely! In ASL, the sign for 'again' is commonly used to mean 'repeat'. If you didn't catch what someone signed, you can simply sign 'again' to politely ask them to repeat themselves.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!