Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "I Am Learning Asl"

To sign 'I am learning ASL', start by pointing to your chest with your index finger to indicate 'I'. Next, sign 'learn' by holding your non-dominant hand flat with the palm facing up, while your dominant hand grasps 'information' from the palm and brings it up to your forehead. Finish the phrase by clearly fingerspelling the letters A, S, and L.

Examples Using "I Am Learning Asl" in a Sentence

1

Please sign slowly, I am learning ASL.

Start by signing 'please' with a flat hand rubbing your chest in a circular motion, then sign 'slow' by drawing your dominant hand up your non-dominant arm. Follow this up by pointing to yourself for 'I', signing 'learn', and clearly fingerspelling 'A-S-L'.

2

I am learning ASL because I want to communicate with my Deaf friend.

Begin with 'I', 'learn', and 'A-S-L'. Then, sign 'why' or 'because', followed by 'want', 'communicate', 'my', 'Deaf', and 'friend'. This is a very common and welcoming phrase to use when introducing yourself to a Deaf person for the first time.

3

I am learning ASL at the community college.

Sign 'I', 'learn', and 'A-S-L' first to establish the main topic of your sentence. Then, indicate the location by signing 'where' or simply moving into the signs for 'community' and 'college'. This structure sets up what you are doing before explaining where it happens.

How to Sign "I Am Learning Asl"
To sign 'I am learning ASL', start by pointing to your chest with your index finger to indicate 'I'. Next, sign 'learn' by holding your non-dominant hand flat with the palm facing up, while your dominant hand grasps 'information' from the palm and brings it up to your forehead. Finish the phrase by clearly fingerspelling the letters A, S, and L.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This phrase seamlessly combines three highly visual and intuitive components. The sign for 'I' is a simple, direct point to oneself, establishing the subject. The sign for 'learn' visually represents taking raw information from a source—symbolized by the flat non-dominant hand acting like a book or paper—and physically placing that knowledge into your brain at the forehead. Finally, 'ASL' is simply the fingerspelled acronym for American Sign Language, completing the thought.
Signing Tips
When fingerspelling A-S-L, keep your hand steady in one place just below your shoulder level rather than bouncing it with each letter. Make sure the transition between the sign for 'learn' and fingerspelling 'A-S-L' is smooth and relaxed. Remember, you don't need a separate sign for the English word 'am', as ASL naturally omits 'to be' verbs in this context.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is trying to sign the English word 'am', which is unnecessary and unnatural in ASL sentence structure. Another frequent error is bouncing your hand up and down while fingerspelling A-S-L, which makes the letters much harder for others to read. Finally, beginners sometimes forget to bring the dominant hand all the way up to the forehead during the sign for 'learn', stopping short and making the sign unclear.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "I Am Learning Asl" in a Sentence
1

Please sign slowly, I am learning ASL.

Start by signing 'please' with a flat hand rubbing your chest in a circular motion, then sign 'slow' by drawing your dominant hand up your non-dominant arm. Follow this up by pointing to yourself for 'I', signing 'learn', and clearly fingerspelling 'A-S-L'.

2

I am learning ASL because I want to communicate with my Deaf friend.

Begin with 'I', 'learn', and 'A-S-L'. Then, sign 'why' or 'because', followed by 'want', 'communicate', 'my', 'Deaf', and 'friend'. This is a very common and welcoming phrase to use when introducing yourself to a Deaf person for the first time.

3

I am learning ASL at the community college.

Sign 'I', 'learn', and 'A-S-L' first to establish the main topic of your sentence. Then, indicate the location by signing 'where' or simply moving into the signs for 'community' and 'college'. This structure sets up what you are doing before explaining where it happens.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign the word 'am'?

No, you do not. ASL has its own distinct grammar and syntax, which does not typically use 'to be' verbs like 'am', 'is', or 'are'. Simply signing 'I learn A-S-L' perfectly and accurately conveys the meaning of 'I am learning ASL'.

Should I mouth the English words while signing this phrase?

You can mouth the words naturally, but avoid exaggerating the English pronunciation. Many fluent signers will simply mouth the letters A-S-L at the end of the phrase. The most important part is ensuring your manual signs and facial expressions are clear.

How fast should I fingerspell the letters A-S-L?

As a beginner, you should always focus on clarity rather than speed. It is much better to fingerspell A-S-L slowly and clearly so the viewer understands you. Since you are telling them you are learning, they will naturally expect a relaxed, beginner-friendly pace!

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