How to Sign “Asian” in ASL

The short answer

American Sign Language (ASL) has no single, universally agreed sign for “Asian.” Signs vary between regions, schools and Deaf communities, and some older signs are now widely considered offensive. The option that is always clear and neutral is to fingerspell the word: A-S-I-A-N.

If you want a lexical sign (a dedicated sign rather than spelled letters), learn it from a Deaf ASL instructor, ideally from an Asian Deaf signer, or ask the person you are talking with which sign they use. This guide does not describe a specific current sign because no verified source for one was available to support it.

Why the answer depends on which sign you mean

Some older signs for “Asian,” “Chinese” or “Oriental” referred to eye shape, for example by touching or pulling at the corner of the eye. Many Deaf people, especially Asian Deaf people, regard these as stereotyping and offensive, so you may still see them in old dictionaries or videos even though they should be avoided.

When someone’s specific background is known and relevant, signers often use the sign for the particular country or nationality instead of a broad label. Many communities prefer country signs that come from that country’s own Deaf community. Check these individually rather than assuming one older ASL sign is current.

How to fingerspell A-S-I-A-N

Fingerspelling uses one handshape per letter, made with your dominant hand held near your shoulder, palm facing the viewer. Move smoothly from one letter to the next without bouncing your hand for each letter.

• A: make a fist with your thumb resting straight against the side of your index finger.
• S: make a fist with your thumb wrapped across the front of your fingers.
• I: make a fist and raise only your pinky finger straight up.
• A: return to the first handshape, fist with the thumb along the side.
• N: fold your index and middle fingers down over your thumb, with the thumb tucked between the middle and ring fingers.

Checking your signing on a video call

If you are signing over video, open your camera’s self-view before the call. Seeing your own image confirms that the camera is working, but it does not show how clear the picture will look to the other person, since call quality can drop on a slow connection.

• Keep your hand and upper body inside the frame, with room above your shoulder for fingerspelling.
• Use a plain physical background that contrasts with your skin tone; busy patterns make handshapes harder to read.
• Turn off virtual background or blur effects if they cut off or smear your hands during movement.
• Face a light source so your hands are not in shadow or backlit by a window.
• Fingerspell at a steady, moderate pace, and ask the other person whether the letters came through clearly.

What this guide cannot confirm

No verified source was available for the exact form of any current lexical ASL sign for “Asian,” for regional variants, or for which sign specific Asian Deaf organizations recommend. Treat fingerspelling as the reliable choice until you can confirm a sign with a qualified Deaf instructor or with the person you are communicating with.