To sign 'umm', raise your dominant hand to about shoulder height with your palm facing down and slightly forward. Keep your fingers spread apart in an open '5' handshape. Gently flutter or wiggle your fingers while making a thoughtful or hesitant facial expression.
Start with the sign for 'umm' while looking slightly hesitant, then follow it with the signs for 'I' and 'not sure'.
Use the 'umm' sign to show a pause in your thought process, perhaps looking up slightly, before signing 'think'.
Sign 'umm' to grab attention or pause, then sign 'where go' with your eyebrows furrowed to indicate a question.
Start with the sign for 'umm' while looking slightly hesitant, then follow it with the signs for 'I' and 'not sure'.
Use the 'umm' sign to show a pause in your thought process, perhaps looking up slightly, before signing 'think'.
Sign 'umm' to grab attention or pause, then sign 'where go' with your eyebrows furrowed to indicate a question.
Yes! Just like in spoken English, ASL has conversational fillers and hesitation markers. This sign perfectly captures that natural pause in communication and is widely used by fluent signers.
Absolutely. This sign is very versatile and can be used anytime you need a moment to gather your thoughts, whether you would translate it as 'umm', 'uh', or 'well' in spoken English.
You only need to hold and flutter your fingers for as long as your natural pause lasts. Once you know what you want to sign next, simply drop the hand or transition smoothly into the next sign.
