Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Salt"

Form both hands into "V" shapes with your index and middle fingers extended. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of you with the palm facing down. Bring your dominant hand above it and flutter your index and middle fingers, lightly tapping them against the back of your non-dominant hand's fingers.

Examples Using "Salt" in a Sentence

1

Please pass the salt.

Sign "please", then "pass", and finish with the sign for "salt" by fluttering your dominant "V" fingers over your non-dominant ones.

2

This soup needs more salt.

Sign "soup", "need", "more", and then "salt". Emphasize the sign for "more" to show that the soup is currently lacking flavor.

3

I don't like too much salt.

Sign "I", "dislike", "too much", and "salt". Be sure to use a negative headshake while signing "dislike" to convey your preference clearly.

How to Sign "Salt"
Form both hands into "V" shapes with your index and middle fingers extended. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of you with the palm facing down. Bring your dominant hand above it and flutter your index and middle fingers, lightly tapping them against the back of your non-dominant hand's fingers.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'salt' is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the concept it describes. The fluttering motion of the dominant 'V' fingers mimics the physical action of salt crystals falling from a shaker or being sprinkled by hand over a delicious meal. The non-dominant hand acts as the food or the surface receiving the seasoning. This visual connection makes it a very intuitive and easy-to-remember sign for beginners.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand steady as a base while signing. The movement should only come from the fingers of your dominant hand fluttering and lightly tapping, similar to the action of sprinkling salt from a shaker. Make sure both hands clearly show the 'V' handshape with the index and middle fingers extended. Relax your shoulders and keep the motion light and quick, rather than heavy or forceful.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving their entire dominant arm up and down rather than just fluttering the fingers. The motion should be isolated to the fingers. Another common error is using flat hands instead of the specific 'V' handshape, which can make the sign look like 'pet' or 'sit'. Make sure you are only extending the index and middle fingers on both hands to keep the sign accurate and clear.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Salt" in a Sentence
1

Please pass the salt.

Sign "please", then "pass", and finish with the sign for "salt" by fluttering your dominant "V" fingers over your non-dominant ones.

2

This soup needs more salt.

Sign "soup", "need", "more", and then "salt". Emphasize the sign for "more" to show that the soup is currently lacking flavor.

3

I don't like too much salt.

Sign "I", "dislike", "too much", and "salt". Be sure to use a negative headshake while signing "dislike" to convey your preference clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'salt' similar to 'pepper'?

No, they are quite different! While 'salt' uses fluttering 'V' hands, 'pepper' is signed by forming an 'F' handshape and shaking it downward twice, mimicking the use of a pepper shaker.

Do I tap my fingers together or just flutter them?

You should do both! The dominant hand's fingers flutter up and down while lightly tapping against the back of the non-dominant hand's fingers.

Does it matter which hand is on top?

Yes, your dominant hand should always be the one on top doing the fluttering and tapping, while your non-dominant hand serves as the stationary base underneath.

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