How to Sign "Review"

To sign review, start with your non-dominant hand flat in front of you, palm facing up, representing a piece of paper. Form an 'L' shape with your dominant hand, with your index finger pointing forward and your thumb pointing up. Place the dominant hand over the non-dominant palm, then move it backward towards your body in a slight arc.

Examples Using "Review" in a Sentence

1

Let's review the lesson.

Sign 'lesson' followed by 'review'. The backward motion of the dominant hand in 'review' emphasizes the concept of going back over what was just taught.

2

I need to review for the test.

Sign 'I', 'need', 'test', and then 'review'. Make sure the 'L' handshape moves clearly toward your body to show the action of studying past material.

3

We will review the rules tomorrow.

Sign 'tomorrow', 'rules', then 'review'. The sign for 'review' acts as the verb here, showing the action of looking back over the established guidelines.

How to Sign "Review"
To sign review, start with your non-dominant hand flat in front of you, palm facing up, representing a piece of paper. Form an 'L' shape with your dominant hand, with your index finger pointing forward and your thumb pointing up. Place the dominant hand over the non-dominant palm, then move it backward towards your body in a slight arc.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for review is visually intuitive. The flat non-dominant hand represents a piece of paper or a document. The dominant hand in an 'L' shape acts as your eyes or focus, moving backward over the 'page' to symbolize looking back over information.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand steady and flat, acting as a base or 'page' for the sign. Ensure the dominant hand maintains a clear 'L' shape as it sweeps backward toward your body. The movement should be smooth and deliberate.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving the dominant hand forward instead of backward. Moving it forward changes the meaning entirely. Also, make sure to use an 'L' handshape rather than a flat hand, which might confuse the sign with others.
Regional Variations
Some signers may initialize this sign by using an 'R' handshape instead of an 'L' handshape on the dominant hand, though the 'L' handshape is widely accepted and commonly used for the general concept of looking back.
Examples Using "Review" in a Sentence
1

Let's review the lesson.

Sign 'lesson' followed by 'review'. The backward motion of the dominant hand in 'review' emphasizes the concept of going back over what was just taught.

2

I need to review for the test.

Sign 'I', 'need', 'test', and then 'review'. Make sure the 'L' handshape moves clearly toward your body to show the action of studying past material.

3

We will review the rules tomorrow.

Sign 'tomorrow', 'rules', then 'review'. The sign for 'review' acts as the verb here, showing the action of looking back over the established guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for a movie review?

While you can use it to mean analyzing a movie, this sign is most commonly used for reviewing information, like studying for a test. For a movie review, you might also see signs related to 'analyze' or 'explain'.

Does the dominant hand touch the non-dominant hand?

It can lightly brush against the palm of the non-dominant hand, but it often hovers just slightly above it as it moves backward. Either way is perfectly acceptable and understood.

Is this the same sign as 'study'?

No, 'study' uses a different motion. For 'study', your dominant hand wiggles its fingers while pointing at the flat non-dominant hand. 'Review' uses a distinct backward sweeping motion with an 'L' handshape.

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