How To Sign "Yes" in Sign Language

Signing "yes" in American Sign Language (ASL) is straightforward and mirrors the head nodding motion of agreement. Here's how to sign "yes":

Directions for Signing Yes In Sign Language

  1. Hand Position: Start with your dominant hand forming an "S" handshape, which looks like a fist.
  2. Starting Placement: Hold the fist (your dominant hand) in front of you, about chin level.
  3. Movement: Move the fist up and down in a nodding motion, similar to how one nods their head to indicate "yes" or agreement. Typically, this is done a couple of times in a rhythmic manner.
  4. Facial Expression: Generally, you'll have a neutral or affirmative facial expression to match the meaning of the word. If you're emphasizing agreement, your facial expression might be more pronounced.

Bonus

If you want to excitedly say yes, you can sign “Y”-”S” repeatedly

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Learn how to sign "No" and "Maybe"

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When signing it yourself isn't enough

Learning to sign is a great start. For the moments that have to be right (a medical appointment, a parent-teacher meeting, a legal conversation) Ava connects you with a credentialed ASL interpreter over video in the Ava app, on demand or scheduled ahead. Available 24/7, with live captions included.

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