How to Sign "Learn"

the sign 'learn' uses both hands. place the non-dominant hand at chest height in front of you, with the palm facing up towards the ceiling. with splayed claw dominant hand, press the fingertips against the palm of the non-dominant hand. draw the hand up towards the forehead, pulling the fingertips together as you move your hand up.

Examples Using "Learn" in a Sentence

1

I want to learn ASL.

Sign 'I', 'want', and then perform the sign for 'learn' by pulling the imaginary information from your open non-dominant palm up to your forehead, followed by 'A-S-L'.

2

She learns very fast.

Point to the person to indicate 'she', sign 'learn' by drawing your fingertips from your base palm to your forehead, and finish with the sign for 'fast'.

3

We are learning about animals.

Sign 'We', then sign 'learn' with a slightly repeated motion to show the ongoing process of learning, followed by 'about' and 'animals'.

How to Sign "Learn"
the sign 'learn' uses both hands. place the non-dominant hand at chest height in front of you, with the palm facing up towards the ceiling. with splayed claw dominant hand, press the fingertips against the palm of the non-dominant hand. draw the hand up towards the forehead, pulling the fingertips together as you move your hand up.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'learn' is highly iconic and visually represents the act of acquiring knowledge. The flat non-dominant hand acts as a book, a piece of paper, or a source of information. The dominant hand reaches down, grasps that information, and pulls it up into the mind (the forehead). This beautifully illustrates taking knowledge from a page and putting it into your brain.
Signing Tips
Focus on the visual metaphor of the sign to help you remember it. Imagine your non-dominant hand is a book or a page of information. Your dominant hand is physically grabbing that knowledge and placing it right into your brain. Make sure the movement is smooth, starting with an open claw hand and ending with your fingertips pinched together just in front of your forehead.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is keeping the dominant hand open the entire time or closing it too early. Remember to start with your fingers spread on your bottom hand and gradually pinch them together as you move toward your forehead. Another common error is touching the forehead directly; your hand should stop just short of actually pressing against your head.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Learn" in a Sentence
1

I want to learn ASL.

Sign 'I', 'want', and then perform the sign for 'learn' by pulling the imaginary information from your open non-dominant palm up to your forehead, followed by 'A-S-L'.

2

She learns very fast.

Point to the person to indicate 'she', sign 'learn' by drawing your fingertips from your base palm to your forehead, and finish with the sign for 'fast'.

3

We are learning about animals.

Sign 'We', then sign 'learn' with a slightly repeated motion to show the ongoing process of learning, followed by 'about' and 'animals'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to actually touch my forehead when signing 'learn'?

No, you don't need to physically tap your forehead. The movement should end just an inch or two in front of your forehead with your fingertips pinched together.

Can I sign 'learn' with just one hand?

No, 'learn' requires both hands to make sense. The non-dominant hand acts as the 'book' or source of information, which is essential for the visual meaning of the sign.

How do I change 'learn' into 'student'?

To sign 'student', you first perform the sign for 'learn' as described, and then immediately add the 'person marker' by sliding both flat hands down the sides of your body. This translates to 'a person who learns'.

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