Start with both hands in curved shapes, with your knuckles pointing towards each other in front of your chest. Roll both hands outward and forward so your palms end up facing up. Then, immediately point your dominant index finger directly at the person you are talking to. Make sure to furrow your eyebrows, as this is a 'wh-question' in ASL.
Sign 'HELLO', then follow immediately with the rolling motion of 'HOW' and point forward for 'YOU', keeping your eyebrows lowered to show you are asking a question.
After expressing that it's been a while, use the 'HOW ARE YOU' sign sequence. The furrowed eyebrows are essential here to invite a response from the other person.
Sign 'TODAY', then 'HOW ARE YOU', and finally 'FEEL'. The 'HOW ARE YOU' part remains exactly the same: rolling the hands outward and pointing to the person.
Sign 'HELLO', then follow immediately with the rolling motion of 'HOW' and point forward for 'YOU', keeping your eyebrows lowered to show you are asking a question.
After expressing that it's been a while, use the 'HOW ARE YOU' sign sequence. The furrowed eyebrows are essential here to invite a response from the other person.
Sign 'TODAY', then 'HOW ARE YOU', and finally 'FEEL'. The 'HOW ARE YOU' part remains exactly the same: rolling the hands outward and pointing to the person.
No, you do not! ASL does not use English 'to be' verbs like 'am,' 'is,' or 'are.' You simply sign 'HOW' and 'YOU,' and the grammar is conveyed through your facial expression.
In ASL, facial expressions act as grammar. Furrowing your eyebrows indicates a 'wh-question' (questions asking who, what, where, when, why, or how). If you raise them instead, it looks like a yes/no question, which changes the meaning.
The standard sign for 'HOW' uses two hands, but in casual, fast-paced conversation, you might see fluent signers use a one-handed version of 'HOW' followed by the point for 'YOU.' As a beginner, it is best to master the two-handed version first.
