How to Sign "Follow"
Form both hands into 'A' handshapes with your thumbs pointing straight up. Place your dominant hand slightly behind your non-dominant hand. Keeping this spacing consistent, move both hands forward together in a straight line.
Examples Using "Follow" in a Sentence
1
I will follow you.
Sign 'I', then use the standard 'follow' sign moving forward away from your body to show that you are the one trailing behind.
2
Please follow me.
Because 'follow' is a directional verb, you can change its meaning by pulling the sign toward your chest, showing the action coming toward you.
3
She follows him on social media.
Point to the person who is following, then move the 'follow' sign in the direction of the person being followed. This sign works perfectly for digital following too!
How to Sign "Follow"
Form both hands into 'A' handshapes with your thumbs pointing straight up. Place your dominant hand slightly behind your non-dominant hand. Keeping this spacing consistent, move both hands forward together in a straight line.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic, meaning it looks exactly like what it represents. The two thumbs-up handshapes visually act as two separate people or entities. By placing one hand directly behind the other and moving them in unison, you are literally painting a picture of one person trailing behind another.
Signing Tips
Take advantage of the directional nature of the sign 'follow'. By changing the starting and ending points of the movement, you can easily show who is following whom without needing extra words. Always keep your dominant hand as the 'follower' behind the non-dominant 'leader'.
Common Mistakes
A frequent beginner mistake is letting the hands separate or move at different speeds. The distance between your two hands should remain exactly the same from the beginning of the sign to the end, representing a steady, consistent pursuit.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Follow" in a Sentence
1I will follow you.
Sign 'I', then use the standard 'follow' sign moving forward away from your body to show that you are the one trailing behind.
2Please follow me.
Because 'follow' is a directional verb, you can change its meaning by pulling the sign toward your chest, showing the action coming toward you.
3She follows him on social media.
Point to the person who is following, then move the 'follow' sign in the direction of the person being followed. This sign works perfectly for digital following too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for following a social media account?
Yes! While it originally meant physically walking behind someone, modern ASL has adapted this exact sign to mean following someone's account on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
Which hand should be in the front?
Your non-dominant hand should be in the front acting as the 'leader'. Your dominant hand stays slightly behind it, acting as the 'follower'.
How do I sign 'follow me'?
You simply reverse the direction of the movement. Keep the same handshapes and relative positioning, but pull both hands toward your own body.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!