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How to Sign "Respond"

To sign 'respond,' form 'R' handshapes with both hands by crossing your index and middle fingers. Place your dominant hand near your chin, and your non-dominant hand slightly in front of it. Move both hands forward and slightly down simultaneously, ending with your fingers pointing outward.

Examples Using "Respond" in a Sentence

1

I will respond to your email tomorrow.

Sign 'tomorrow' and 'email,' then use the sign for 'respond.' Move your 'R' hands forward from your chin toward the person you are talking to, showing that your response is going to them.

2

She didn't respond to my text message.

For this sentence, you can change the direction of the sign. Start the 'R' handshapes slightly away from your body and move them inward toward your chest to show the response was meant to come to you.

3

We need to respond quickly.

Sign 'we,' then 'respond' moving outward, followed by the sign for 'fast' or 'quickly.' The outward motion shows the general action of giving a response to a situation or group.

How to Sign "Respond"
To sign 'respond,' form 'R' handshapes with both hands by crossing your index and middle fingers. Place your dominant hand near your chin, and your non-dominant hand slightly in front of it. Move both hands forward and slightly down simultaneously, ending with your fingers pointing outward.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a great example of initialization in ASL. It takes the base movement and location of the sign for 'answer'—which visually represents words or thoughts moving from the mouth toward another person—and incorporates the 'R' handshape to specifically represent the English word 'respond.' The forward trajectory perfectly captures the idea of sending information back to someone.
Signing Tips
Remember that 'respond' is a directional verb, meaning the movement changes based on who is responding to whom. The video shows 'I respond to you' with the hands moving outward. If you want to sign 'respond to me,' start the 'R' handshapes away from your body and pull them inward toward your chest. This makes your signing much more visual and efficient!
Common Mistakes
A common mistake for beginners is forgetting to cross the fingers into the 'R' handshape, accidentally using the '1' handshape (just the index fingers) instead. While using the '1' handshape is perfectly fine for the word 'answer,' keeping the fingers crossed is what specifically translates to the English word 'respond.' Also, be sure both hands move together rather than one at a time.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Respond" in a Sentence
1

I will respond to your email tomorrow.

Sign 'tomorrow' and 'email,' then use the sign for 'respond.' Move your 'R' hands forward from your chin toward the person you are talking to, showing that your response is going to them.

2

She didn't respond to my text message.

For this sentence, you can change the direction of the sign. Start the 'R' handshapes slightly away from your body and move them inward toward your chest to show the response was meant to come to you.

3

We need to respond quickly.

Sign 'we,' then 'respond' moving outward, followed by the sign for 'fast' or 'quickly.' The outward motion shows the general action of giving a response to a situation or group.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'respond' and 'answer'?

The main difference is the handshape. 'Answer' uses the '1' handshape with your index fingers pointing up, while 'respond' uses the 'R' handshape with crossed fingers. Both use the exact same location and forward movement.

Do I have to use both hands for this sign?

Yes, 'respond' is a two-handed sign. Both hands should form the 'R' handshape and move together simultaneously. Try to keep the same distance between your dominant and non-dominant hand as they move forward.

Can I show someone responding to me?

Absolutely! Because this is a directional verb, you can reverse the movement. To sign 'respond to me,' start with your hands further out and bring them inward toward your chest, showing the response coming to you.

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