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What Are the Parts of Signs in ASL?

American Sign Language has five basic components. These are represented by the acronym HOLME; hand shape, orientation, location, movement and expression. All of these come together to form a complex language that lets deaf people converse with ease. Remembering each component will make you more efficient in ASL.

  1. Hand shape

    • The proper hand shape is the first component needed when learning any sign. How the hands are shaped when making signs can change the meaning of the word or expression you are trying to communicate. The basic hand shapes used for finger spelling are also used to make words when combined with other movements or signs.

    Orientation

    • Orientation refers to which way the hands are facing. Does the palm face toward the signer or away? This could change the meaning of the sign. For example, the sign for "want" is palms up, pulling in towards the signer. "Do not want," starts with palms up and swinging down, pushing away. Changing the orientation of the hands can reverse the meaning of the sign.

    Location

    • The location or sign area relates to where the hands are held during signing. They can be against the head or other parts of the body, depending on what you are saying. The signing space is an imaginary rectangle, shoulder width, from head to just below waist. Some signs may go outside of this area, depending on what is being communicated, but the majority will be within this location.

    Movement

    • Some signs also include a movement. Knowing the proper movement for what you are trying to sign is important in getting your thoughts across. Adding the wrong movement to a sign can change the meaning of the word or phrase you are using. Signs such as "I give," "you give" or "he gives" can be changed by the direction of the movement. In "I give to you," the hand starts palm-up against the body and moves out. In" you give," the hand starts at the person giving, and comes in.

    Expression

    • Facial expression is included in the five components of sign to help communicate the feeling behind the words. A scowl, eye roll or happy expressions will let the person you are signing with know how you feel about what you are saying.

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