How to Sign "Include"

Start by holding your non-dominant hand in front of you, palm facing up and slightly cupped like a small bowl or a 'C' shape. With your dominant hand, start with your fingers spread apart above the non-dominant hand. Move your dominant hand down into the cupped hand while bringing your fingers and thumb together into a flattened 'O' shape, as if you are gathering something and placing it inside.

Examples Using "Include" in a Sentence

1

Does the price include tax?

Sign 'price', then 'include', and finally 'tax'. Remember to raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate that you are asking a yes/no question.

2

Please include me in the game.

Sign 'please', point to yourself to indicate 'me', sign 'include', and then sign 'game'. You can slightly pull the 'include' sign towards your body to emphasize that you are the one being included.

3

The recipe includes three apples.

Sign 'recipe', then 'include', followed by the number 'three' and the sign for 'apple'. The sign 'include' acts as the bridge showing what goes into the recipe.

How to Sign "Include"
Start by holding your non-dominant hand in front of you, palm facing up and slightly cupped like a small bowl or a 'C' shape. With your dominant hand, start with your fingers spread apart above the non-dominant hand. Move your dominant hand down into the cupped hand while bringing your fingers and thumb together into a flattened 'O' shape, as if you are gathering something and placing it inside.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'include' is highly visual and iconic. The non-dominant cupped hand represents a group, a container, or a whole entity. The dominant hand represents an individual item, concept, or person being gathered up and placed into that group, perfectly illustrating the concept of inclusion.
Signing Tips
Focus on the fluid motion of gathering. Your dominant hand should smoothly transition from an open, spread handshape to a closed, flattened 'O' shape exactly as it enters the non-dominant hand. Keep your non-dominant hand steady and relaxed, acting as the stationary 'container' for the action.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is keeping the dominant hand open the entire time or closing it too early before it reaches the non-dominant hand. Make sure the closing motion happens simultaneously with the downward movement. Another mistake is moving the non-dominant hand; it should stay completely still.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Include" in a Sentence
1

Does the price include tax?

Sign 'price', then 'include', and finally 'tax'. Remember to raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate that you are asking a yes/no question.

2

Please include me in the game.

Sign 'please', point to yourself to indicate 'me', sign 'include', and then sign 'game'. You can slightly pull the 'include' sign towards your body to emphasize that you are the one being included.

3

The recipe includes three apples.

Sign 'recipe', then 'include', followed by the number 'three' and the sign for 'apple'. The sign 'include' acts as the bridge showing what goes into the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same sign used for 'involve'?

Yes! The sign for 'include' is also commonly used to mean 'involve' or 'inclusive'. The context of your sentence will help the person you are signing with understand which specific English concept you are expressing.

Does it matter which hand is the 'cup'?

Yes, you should always use your non-dominant hand as the stationary 'cup' or base. Your dominant hand should be the one doing the active moving and gathering motion. This follows the standard ASL rule for two-handed signs where only one hand moves.

Can I change the direction of the sign to mean 'include them'?

Absolutely! ASL is a spatial language. You can adjust the starting position of your dominant hand to 'gather' from the direction of a specific person or object you want to include, bringing that hand into your base hand.

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