How to Sign “Help” in ASL: Simple Steps and Tips

Key takeaways:

• ASL stands for American Sign Language. It’s the language spoken by the deaf community in North America.
• ASL is not the same as English; it’s a unique and complete language with its own set of grammar rules and vocabulary.
• To sign “help” in ASL, make a thumbs-up with your dominant hand, put it in the palm of your other hand, and lift both hands up. 

American Sign Language is the third most common language in the US. Despite that, many English speakers don’t know many (if any) ASL signs at all. If you want to be more inclusive, become a better ally, and improve overall accessibility, why not learn some basics?

In this article, we’re going to give you an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on how to sign “help” in ASL.

What is ASL?

ASL stands for American Sign Language. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, it’s a complete and natural language. 

Just like English, Spanish, or Japanese, ASL has its own set of grammar rules and vocabulary. Even though it’s mainly used throughout the US and parts of Canada, it’s not identical to English. This means that learning ASL is not at all about simply memorizing a couple of hand signs that correspond to English 1:1.

This is especially important to remember when considering other sign languages. The UK and the US both use English as their main spoken language. However, while BSL (British Sign Language) and ASL are both used in English-speaking countries, they are not the same, as neither of them is “English in sign form.”

Each sign language is unique. Today, we’ll be covering the “help” sign in ASL specifically.

How to use sign language for help: Step-by-step guide

How do you sign help in sign language? Just follow these four simple steps: 

1. Make a thumbs-up with your dominant hand
2. Hold out your other hand, palm up.
3. Place your dominant hand on top of your other hand.
4. Move your hands upward. 

One thing to remember about the sign language for “help” is that the word is directional. This means that to form more specific or complex phrases and sentences, you move your hand in certain directions to clarify what you’re saying. For example: 

• Help me: If you want someone to help you, make the “help” sign and move it toward your chest.
• Help you: If you want to help someone, form “help” in ASL and then move your hands away from your body and toward the person you’re speaking to.
• Asking questions: If you want to ask a yes/no question, such as “Can you help me?” or “Can I help you?”, raise your eyebrows while doing the appropriate movement (either toward or away from your chest).

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Finally, let’s look at some sentences that use the “help” sign:

• “I need help”: To say “I,” simply point to yourself. Next, make a hook shape (or an X in the ASL alphabet) with your dominant hand and move it downward. Finally, make the basic “help” sign in ASL.
• “Do you need help?”: Raise your eyebrows to indicate that you’re asking a yes/no question. Then, make the “need” sign (hook shape going downward). Finally, sign “help” in ASL while moving your hands away from you and toward the person you’re speaking to.
• “Please, help me”: First, take a flat palm and move it in circles around your chest. This is how you sign “please.” Then, sign “help” in ASL while moving your hands toward your chest (to say “help me”).

For more details and a live demonstration of how to ask for help in ASL, watch this video:

Inclusive ASL learning with Promova

Now that you know how to form “help” in sign language, it’s time to learn more about ASL. If you want to connect with deaf culture and become a more well-rounded person, try Promova’s ASL course.

In this course, you will:

• Learn the ASL alphabet.
• Master basic ASL signs (incl. the “help” sign).
• Learn how to form ASL sentences.
• Prepare for real-life situations.

Learning ASL is a great choice for anyone who wants to promote accessibility and improve their resume all at the same time.

Try Promova today and start having everyday conversations in this unique language!

Final thoughts

Learning how to sign “help” in ASL is a good first step to becoming a better ally to the deaf community. It’s simple, yet it can make a real difference in an emergency. ASL is a beautiful language with a rich culture, and it deserves to be in the spotlight.

Tip: If you’re serious about learning ASL, you can also learn some more emergency signs in this video: