Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Nonverbal"

To sign nonverbal, form a 'U' handshape with your dominant hand by extending your index and middle fingers and keeping them together. Bring your fingertips up to your chin or lower mouth area, and move the hand slightly outward. Crucially, you must shake your head 'no' and use a slightly furrowed, negative facial expression while making this hand motion. This combination of the sign for speech or voice with a negative headshake clearly indicates the absence of spoken language.

Examples Using "Nonverbal" in a Sentence

1

My little brother is nonverbal, so we use ASL.

Sign 'my brother', then use the 'nonverbal' sign with a clear headshake, followed by 'we sign'.

2

The school has a great program for nonverbal students.

Establish 'school program good', then sign 'nonverbal' before 'students' to describe the specific group.

3

She is nonverbal but very expressive with her face.

Sign 'she nonverbal' emphasizing the negative headshake, then contrast it by signing 'but face expressive'.

How to Sign "Nonverbal"
To sign nonverbal, form a 'U' handshape with your dominant hand by extending your index and middle fingers and keeping them together. Bring your fingertips up to your chin or lower mouth area, and move the hand slightly outward. Crucially, you must shake your head 'no' and use a slightly furrowed, negative facial expression while making this hand motion. This combination of the sign for speech or voice with a negative headshake clearly indicates the absence of spoken language.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a great example of how ASL combines manual and non-manual markers. It uses a handshape near the mouth and throat—an area visually associated with the vocal cords and speech—and pairs it with a universal negative headshake. Together, the visual logic perfectly translates to 'no voice' or 'without speech'.
Signing Tips
When signing nonverbal, remember that your facial expression and head movement are doing half the work! The headshake is just as important as the handshape. Without shaking your head 'no', the sign simply refers to voice or speech. Make sure your facial expression clearly matches the negative meaning of the word to ensure you are understood.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is focusing entirely on the handshape and forgetting to shake their head. Because the hand movement is closely related to the sign for 'speech' or 'voice', failing to include the negative headshake will completely change the meaning of your sentence from 'nonverbal' to 'verbal'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Nonverbal" in a Sentence
1

My little brother is nonverbal, so we use ASL.

Sign 'my brother', then use the 'nonverbal' sign with a clear headshake, followed by 'we sign'.

2

The school has a great program for nonverbal students.

Establish 'school program good', then sign 'nonverbal' before 'students' to describe the specific group.

3

She is nonverbal but very expressive with her face.

Sign 'she nonverbal' emphasizing the negative headshake, then contrast it by signing 'but face expressive'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just sign 'not' and 'talk' instead?

Yes, signing 'NOT' followed by 'TALK' or 'SPEAK' is another valid way to express this concept. However, using the single sign with a negative headshake is often more efficient and very common in conversational ASL.

Does the handshape have to be a 'U' or can it be a 'V'?

You will likely see both variations in the Deaf community. Some signers keep the index and middle fingers together (a 'U' handshape), while others spread them apart (a 'V' handshape) similar to the standard sign for 'voice'.

Why is the facial expression so important for this sign?

In ASL, facial expressions and head movements act as grammar. The negative headshake provides the 'non-' part of 'nonverbal'. Without it, you are simply signing a word related to speech or having a voice.

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