How to Sign “Belgium” in ASL

The short answer

The safest way to sign “Belgium” in American Sign Language (ASL) is to fingerspell it: B-E-L-G-I-U-M. Fingerspelling is the standard way to give a place name in ASL when you are not sure of a sign, and fluent signers will understand it. Once someone has seen the name spelled out, you can agree on a shorter sign for the rest of the conversation.

A gap to note: the sources for this guide did not confirm a single lexical sign for Belgium in ASL. A lexical sign is a dedicated sign for a word, as opposed to spelling it letter by letter. This guide does not describe one, because it would be a guess. If you need a specific sign, check a reputable ASL dictionary that shows video, or ask a Deaf signer or a qualified ASL teacher.

Why the sign can vary

Many ASL signers now prefer to use the sign a country's own Deaf community uses for its country. Belgium has two main sign languages: Flemish Sign Language (VGT) and French Belgian Sign Language (LSFB). Signs from these languages are not automatically the same as an older ASL sign, and they may differ from each other. As a result, you may see more than one sign for Belgium. Fingerspelling avoids that confusion, which is why it is the best starting point.

Fingerspelling B-E-L-G-I-U-M step by step

Use your dominant hand and hold it near your shoulder, palm facing the person you are signing to. Form each letter cleanly, and keep your hand roughly in one place rather than bouncing or pushing it forward on each letter.

• B: hold your fingers straight up and together, with your thumb folded across your palm.
• E: curl your fingertips down so they rest on or above your thumb, which is tucked across your palm.
• L: point your index finger up and your thumb out to the side, with your other fingers folded.
• G: point your index finger and thumb sideways, parallel to each other, with your other fingers folded.
• I: raise your little finger, with your other fingers closed into a fist and your thumb across them.
• U: raise your index and middle fingers together, with your other fingers folded under your thumb.
• M: fold your thumb under your index, middle and ring fingers, with those three fingers draped over it.

Aim for a smooth, even rhythm. Clear handshapes matter more than speed. If the other person looks unsure, spell the word again a little more slowly instead of exaggerating each letter.

Checking your signing on a video call

Seeing your camera preview only confirms that the camera is working. It does not tell you whether your fingerspelling is readable to the other person. To check, record a short clip or watch your self-view while you spell the word. Then confirm the points below.

• Your hand stays fully in frame at shoulder height and is not cut off at the edge.
• Your hand is lit from the front, so the shape of your fingers is easy to see.
• Your background is plain and contrasts with your skin and clothing, so each handshape stands out.
• Background blur and virtual backgrounds are turned off, or you have checked that they do not smear or clip your fingers. These effects are applied by software and can blur fast hand movements, unlike a real plain wall behind you.
• You keep in mind that many apps mirror your self-view. The other person sees your hand the correct way around, so do not reverse your handshapes to make the preview look right.

If the other person still struggles to read your letters even though your lighting and framing look good, the cause may be a low or unstable video connection rather than your signing. Slowing down helps, and so does asking whether the video is choppy on their end.