To sign 'iPad', start by forming the letter 'I' with your dominant hand, holding your pinky finger up. Next, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up, representing the device. Finally, use the middle finger of your dominant hand to swipe or tap across your non-dominant palm, mimicking the action of using a touchscreen.
Sign 'WHERE' followed by 'MY', and then sign 'iPad' by making the 'I' handshape and swiping your middle finger across your open non-dominant palm. Furrow your eyebrows at the end to indicate a 'where' question.
Sign 'I', 'WATCH', 'MOVIE', and then 'iPad'. Remember to clearly separate the 'I' handshape from the swiping motion on your flat palm so both parts of the 'iPad' sign are easily understood by the person you are chatting with.
Sign 'MY', 'iPad', 'BATTERY', and 'DEAD'. When signing 'iPad', ensure your non-dominant hand stays perfectly flat like a tablet screen while your dominant middle finger mimics interacting with it.
Sign 'WHERE' followed by 'MY', and then sign 'iPad' by making the 'I' handshape and swiping your middle finger across your open non-dominant palm. Furrow your eyebrows at the end to indicate a 'where' question.
Sign 'I', 'WATCH', 'MOVIE', and then 'iPad'. Remember to clearly separate the 'I' handshape from the swiping motion on your flat palm so both parts of the 'iPad' sign are easily understood by the person you are chatting with.
Sign 'MY', 'iPad', 'BATTERY', and 'DEAD'. When signing 'iPad', ensure your non-dominant hand stays perfectly flat like a tablet screen while your dominant middle finger mimics interacting with it.
It is best to use your bent middle finger. In ASL, the open hand with the middle finger extended downward is commonly used to indicate technology, touchscreens, or tablets. Using the index finger might look like you are pointing or writing instead of scrolling.
This specific sign includes the 'I' handshape at the beginning, which specifically denotes an Apple iPad. If you want to sign 'tablet' generically, you would omit the 'I' handshape and simply do the swiping motion on your open palm.
Keep the motion light and gentle. You don't need to slap your palm. A soft brush or a light double tap with your middle finger is perfectly sufficient to mimic the ease of using a modern touchscreen device.
