How to Sign "I Want To Go"

To sign 'I want to go', start by pointing to your chest with your index finger for 'I'. Next, sign 'WANT' by holding both hands out with palms facing up, fingers slightly curved, and pulling them towards your body. Finally, sign 'GO' by extending both index fingers and moving them forward and away from your body.

Examples Using "I Want To Go" in a Sentence

1

I want to go to the park.

To sign this, you can set up the location first by signing 'PARK', followed by 'I WANT GO'. This follows the common ASL topic-comment sentence structure.

2

I want to go home now.

Sign 'NOW I WANT GO HOME'. Time signs like 'NOW' often appear at the beginning of an ASL sentence, followed by the phrase 'I WANT GO' and the destination.

3

I want to go with you.

Sign 'I WANT GO WITH YOU'. After signing 'I WANT GO', bring both 'A' handshapes together in front of you to sign 'WITH', then point to the person.

How to Sign "I Want To Go"
To sign 'I want to go', start by pointing to your chest with your index finger for 'I'. Next, sign 'WANT' by holding both hands out with palms facing up, fingers slightly curved, and pulling them towards your body. Finally, sign 'GO' by extending both index fingers and moving them forward and away from your body.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This phrase combines three highly iconic and logical signs. The sign for 'I' is a natural point to oneself. The sign for 'WANT' mimics the physical action of grabbing something you desire and pulling it toward your body. Finally, the sign for 'GO' uses the index fingers to visually represent a person or people moving away from their current location.
Signing Tips
When signing 'I want to go', make sure your facial expressions match your intent. If you are excited to leave, show enthusiasm on your face. Ensure the sign for 'WANT' clearly pulls towards you to show desire, while the sign for 'GO' moves decisively away from your body. You can also point your 'GO' fingers in the actual direction of your destination.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake for beginners is trying to sign the English word 'to'. In ASL, you do not need a separate sign for 'to' in this phrase; simply signing 'I', 'WANT', and 'GO' is correct. Another frequent error is making the 'GO' movement too small or hesitant. Make sure your index fingers move forward clearly to emphasize the action of leaving.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "I Want To Go" in a Sentence
1

I want to go to the park.

To sign this, you can set up the location first by signing 'PARK', followed by 'I WANT GO'. This follows the common ASL topic-comment sentence structure.

2

I want to go home now.

Sign 'NOW I WANT GO HOME'. Time signs like 'NOW' often appear at the beginning of an ASL sentence, followed by the phrase 'I WANT GO' and the destination.

3

I want to go with you.

Sign 'I WANT GO WITH YOU'. After signing 'I WANT GO', bring both 'A' handshapes together in front of you to sign 'WITH', then point to the person.

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

No, you do not need to sign 'to'. In ASL, small English connecting words are often omitted. Simply signing 'I', 'WANT', and 'GO' perfectly conveys the meaning of the phrase.

Can I change the direction of the 'GO' sign?

Yes! The sign for 'GO' is directional. Instead of just moving your fingers straight forward, you can point and move them toward the actual physical location you want to go to.

How do I show that I really want to go?

You can emphasize your desire by making the sign for 'WANT' larger and faster, and by using a strong facial expression. Nodding your head while signing can also show enthusiasm.

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