To sign Texas, form an 'X' handshape with your dominant hand by curling your index finger into a hook and tucking your thumb over your other curled fingers. Hold your hand in front of your upper chest with your palm facing forward or slightly toward your non-dominant side. Move your hand horizontally to the right, and then straight down, tracing a shape similar to the number 7 in the air.
Sign 'I', 'move', 'Texas', and 'next month'. When signing Texas, ensure your 'X' handshape is crisp and the right-then-down movement is clearly defined to contrast with the sweeping motion of 'move'.
Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'Austin', 'capital', and 'Texas'. The sharp corner in the movement for Texas helps punctuate the end of the question clearly.
Sign 'My', 'family', 'live', and 'Texas'. Keep the sign for Texas within your comfortable signing space in front of your chest, making sure the 'X' handshape is visible to your conversational partner.
Sign 'I', 'move', 'Texas', and 'next month'. When signing Texas, ensure your 'X' handshape is crisp and the right-then-down movement is clearly defined to contrast with the sweeping motion of 'move'.
Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'Austin', 'capital', and 'Texas'. The sharp corner in the movement for Texas helps punctuate the end of the question clearly.
Sign 'My', 'family', 'live', and 'Texas'. Keep the sign for Texas within your comfortable signing space in front of your chest, making sure the 'X' handshape is visible to your conversational partner.
While many state and city signs use their first letter, Texas uses the 'X' to easily distinguish it from other places that start with 'T', such as Tennessee, Toledo, or Toronto. The 'X' makes the sign visually distinct and instantly recognizable.
You should always use your dominant hand for this sign. If you are right-handed, you will move the 'X' handshape to the right and then down. If you are left-handed, you will mirror the movement, moving your hand to the left and then down.
Keep the movement relatively compact and comfortable, staying within your natural signing space just in front of your chest. The horizontal and vertical lines should only be a few inches long—there is no need to draw a massive shape in the air.
