How to sign “argue” and “argument”

In American Sign Language (ASL), “argue” is commonly signed with both index fingers pointing toward each other, palms facing your body, while the hands move up and down in an alternating, repeated motion. “Argument” is generally shown with the same sign, and context tells the viewer whether you mean the action or the thing. This guide describes the commonly taught form of the ASL sign. It does not apply to other sign languages, such as British Sign Language, which use different signs.

The essential answer

ARGUE in ASL is a two-handed sign in which both hands use the same handshape and move at the same time. Each part is described below so you can build it step by step.

• Handshape: on each hand, extend the index finger and curl the other fingers into the palm, with the thumb resting over them. This is often called the “1” handshape.
• Orientation: palms face your body. The index fingers point sideways toward each other, with a gap between the fingertips. They should not touch.
• Location: hold both hands in front of your chest, at roughly the same height.
• Movement: move the hands up and down in opposite directions, so one rises while the other drops, and repeat several times. The motion comes mainly from the wrists and forearms and is sharp rather than floaty.
• Facial expression: a furrowed brow or tense face is commonly used to carry the conflict. In ASL, facial expression is part of the meaning, not decoration.

“Argue” versus “argument”

Many ASL noun–verb pairs are distinguished by movement. The noun often uses smaller, repeated movements, and the verb uses a single, larger one. ARGUE already uses a repeated movement, so learners usually see a single sign that serves as both “argue” and “argument.” Sentence structure and context then make the meaning clear. For example, “they had an argument” and “they argue” would both use the sign, with the surrounding signs showing which meaning is intended.

Gap: no source material was supplied for this article to confirm whether some signers or teaching materials use a distinct movement for the noun. If you need the precise noun form, for example for a class, check with your instructor or a reputable ASL video dictionary.

Showing “arguing” as an ongoing action

To show that an argument is continuing or heated, signers commonly extend the repetition and add more facial intensity, rather than adding an English-style “-ing” ending. How much you stretch the movement depends on what you want to convey: a brief disagreement versus a long, drawn-out fight. These intensity and duration changes vary between signers, so watch fluent signers to see how they modify the sign in context.

Common mistakes

• Moving both hands up and down together instead of alternating them.
• Turning the palms down or outward so the index fingers point forward instead of at each other.
• Tapping the fingertips together. They should stay apart.
• Signing with a neutral face, which can make the sign look flat or ambiguous.
• Confusing ARGUE with signs for related ideas such as “debate,” “fight” or “disagree,” which have their own forms.

How to check that you’re signing it correctly

• Compare your hands against the checklist above: “1” handshape on both hands, palms toward you, fingertips pointing at each other, alternating up-and-down motion.
• Watch a video of a fluent or Deaf signer producing the sign, and copy the speed and size of the movement, not just the handshape. A written description cannot fully capture rhythm.
• Ask an ASL teacher or Deaf signer for feedback. Regional variation exists in ASL, and a person who knows your local community can tell you whether a different form is common where you live.

Limitation: this article gives a general description of the commonly taught sign and is not drawn from verified source material. Treat it as a starting point, and confirm the sign with video and with fluent signers before relying on it in important conversations.