How to Sign "Is"
This is a fingerspelled word, there is not a sign for it, so you will need to spell each letter. I-S.
Examples Using "Is" in a Sentence
1
This is my dog.
In true ASL, you would typically sign "THIS MY DOG" and drop the word "is" entirely. If you need to emphasize the English word, you would point, sign "MY", fingerspell I-S, and then sign "DOG".
2
Where is the bathroom?
ASL grammar usually structures this as "BATHROOM WHERE?". However, if you are spelling out an English sentence exactly for a specific reason, you would sign "WHERE", fingerspell I-S, and then sign "BATHROOM".
3
He is a teacher.
Normally, you would point to the person and sign "TEACHER". To include the English word "is", you would point to him, fingerspell I-S, and then sign "TEACHER".
How to Sign "Is"
This is a fingerspelled word, there is not a sign for it, so you will need to spell each letter. I-S.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
Since "is" does not have a conceptual sign in American Sign Language and relies entirely on the manual alphabet, its visual logic comes directly from the shapes of the English letters 'I' and 'S'. The 'I' handshape isolates and extends the pinky finger, while the 'S' handshape forms a solid, tight fist with the thumb wrapped across the front of the fingers. The transition between these two distinct shapes makes it a quick, easily recognizable fingerspelled word.
Signing Tips
When fingerspelling short words like "is", keep your hand steady in one place, right around your shoulder area, known as your sightline. Transition smoothly from the 'I' handshape (pinky extended) to the 'S' handshape (fist with thumb wrapped over the fingers) without bouncing your hand. Focus on clarity rather than speed; a clear, steady I-S is much easier to read than a rushed, bouncy spelling.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is bouncing your hand between the 'I' and the 'S', which makes the fingerspelling difficult to read. Keep your wrist stable. Another frequent error beginners make is trying to use the fingerspelled word "is" in every ASL sentence. Remember that ASL has its own grammar and typically omits "to be" verbs entirely, so you will rarely need to spell this word in everyday conversation.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Is" in a Sentence
1This is my dog.
In true ASL, you would typically sign "THIS MY DOG" and drop the word "is" entirely. If you need to emphasize the English word, you would point, sign "MY", fingerspell I-S, and then sign "DOG".
2Where is the bathroom?
ASL grammar usually structures this as "BATHROOM WHERE?". However, if you are spelling out an English sentence exactly for a specific reason, you would sign "WHERE", fingerspell I-S, and then sign "BATHROOM".
3He is a teacher.
Normally, you would point to the person and sign "TEACHER". To include the English word "is", you would point to him, fingerspell I-S, and then sign "TEACHER".
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign "is" in every sentence?
No! In fact, American Sign Language rarely uses "to be" verbs like "is," "am," or "are." You usually drop the word entirely. For example, "She is happy" is simply signed as "SHE HAPPY."
Why do we fingerspell "is" instead of having a sign for it?
ASL is a distinct language from English and doesn't use the same grammatical structures. Because "is" isn't naturally used in ASL grammar, there is no native ASL sign for it, so it is fingerspelled when needed for English contexts.
Is there a sign for "is" in Signed Exact English (SEE)?
Yes, Signed Exact English (SEE) does have a specific sign for "is" (using an 'I' handshape moving forward from the chin). However, in standard ASL, we simply fingerspell I-S if the word absolutely must be expressed.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!