How to sign "deaf" in ASL
How to Sign "Deaf"
“Deaf” is signed by touching your index finger from your ear to your mouth (or vice versa):
- Use your dominant hand’s index finger.
- Touch the tip of your finger to your ear.
- Then move it in a short arc to touch the corner of your mouth.
- Some signers do it mouth to ear — both are acceptable.
Tips
- Ear to mouth represents communication path — it’s symbolic.
- Be gentle and smooth in motion — not poking or pointing.
Common Mistakes
- Reversing the motion without intention (do one or the other consistently).
- Using the wrong handshape — only index finger is correct.
Think: “Ear to mouth — Deaf identity.”