How to Sign "Show Me"

To sign 'show me', start with your non-dominant hand flat, fingers pointing up and palm facing sideways. Point the index finger of your dominant hand and press its tip against the center of your non-dominant palm. Keeping your hands in this position, move them both inward toward your chest.

Examples Using "Show Me" in a Sentence

1

Can you show me how to sign that?

Use the 'show me' sign by bringing both hands toward your chest, which naturally includes the concept of 'me' without needing a separate sign.

2

Show me your new car!

Start with the 'show me' sign moving inward toward your body, then follow up with the signs for 'your', 'new', and 'car'.

3

Please show me the picture.

Begin with the sign for 'please', then bring the 'show' sign toward yourself to indicate you are the one receiving the action, and finish with 'picture'.

How to Sign "Show Me"
To sign 'show me', start with your non-dominant hand flat, fingers pointing up and palm facing sideways. Point the index finger of your dominant hand and press its tip against the center of your non-dominant palm. Keeping your hands in this position, move them both inward toward your chest.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign visually represents pointing something out or displaying it, with the index finger highlighting an item on the 'canvas' of the flat palm. Bringing that display toward yourself physically demonstrates the concept of the action being directed at you.
Signing Tips
Because 'show' is a directional verb in ASL, the movement of the sign tells you who is doing the showing and who is receiving it. Make sure to move both hands together as a single unit toward your chest to clearly indicate 'show me'.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving only the dominant index finger while leaving the flat hand stationary. Remember that both hands must move together. Another frequent error is moving the hands outward, which changes the meaning to 'I show you'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Show Me" in a Sentence
1

Can you show me how to sign that?

Use the 'show me' sign by bringing both hands toward your chest, which naturally includes the concept of 'me' without needing a separate sign.

2

Show me your new car!

Start with the 'show me' sign moving inward toward your body, then follow up with the signs for 'your', 'new', and 'car'.

3

Please show me the picture.

Begin with the sign for 'please', then bring the 'show' sign toward yourself to indicate you are the one receiving the action, and finish with 'picture'.

Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'show me' different from 'show you'?

The verb 'show' is directional. To sign 'show me', you move the sign toward your own body. To sign 'show you', you start near your body and move the sign outward toward the person you are talking to.

Do I need to sign the word 'me' after this?

No, you do not need a separate sign for 'me'. Because you are moving the sign toward your own chest, the pronoun 'me' is already built into the movement.

Can I use this sign to talk about a TV show?

No, this sign is strictly used for the verb 'to show' (as in demonstrating or revealing something). To talk about a TV show or a theater performance, you would use a completely different sign or fingerspell the word.

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