How to Sign "Yes"
To make the sign yes, take your dominant hand in the S handshape palm facing down. You will then flick your wrist up and down once or twice.
Examples Using "Yes" in a Sentence
1
Yes, I want some water.
Nod your head while signing 'yes' with your dominant hand in an 'S' shape, flicking your wrist up and down, then sign 'I want water.'
2
Yes, I am learning ASL.
Start by signing 'yes' with a clear wrist flick, then point to yourself and sign 'learn ASL.'
3
Did you say yes?
Point to the person, sign 'say,' and then sign 'yes' by bobbing your 'S' handshape up and down, raising your eyebrows to indicate a question.
How to Sign "Yes"
To make the sign yes, take your dominant hand in the S handshape palm facing down. You will then flick your wrist up and down once or twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'yes' is highly iconic and visually represents a head nodding in agreement. Your fist acts as the 'head,' and the up-and-down flicking motion of your wrist mimics the natural human gesture of nodding 'yes.'
Signing Tips
When signing 'yes,' make sure the movement comes entirely from your wrist, not your whole arm. Keep your elbow relaxed and relatively still. Pairing the manual sign with a natural head nod reinforces the affirmative meaning and makes your signing look much more natural and expressive.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving the entire arm up and down instead of isolating the movement to the wrist. Another mistake is keeping the face completely blank; failing to nod your head slightly can make the sign feel robotic or less enthusiastic to fluent signers.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Yes" in a Sentence
1Yes, I want some water.
Nod your head while signing 'yes' with your dominant hand in an 'S' shape, flicking your wrist up and down, then sign 'I want water.'
2Yes, I am learning ASL.
Start by signing 'yes' with a clear wrist flick, then point to yourself and sign 'learn ASL.'
3Did you say yes?
Point to the person, sign 'say,' and then sign 'yes' by bobbing your 'S' handshape up and down, raising your eyebrows to indicate a question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to nod my head when signing 'yes'?
Yes! In ASL, facial expressions and head movements are part of the grammar. Nodding your head while flicking your wrist up and down makes your sign much more natural and clear.
How many times should I flick my wrist?
Usually, one or two quick flicks of the wrist are perfect. A single, firm flick can mean a definitive 'yes,' while a couple of softer flicks might just show you are following along in a conversation.
Which hand should I use to sign 'yes'?
You should always use your dominant hand. If you are right-handed, make the 'S' handshape and flick your right wrist. Keep your non-dominant hand relaxed at your side.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!