How to Sign "Change" in American Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), the commonly taught sign for "change" uses both hands loosely closed, held one above the other in front of your chest. You then twist both wrists so the hands rotate around each other and end up in reversed positions. The swap itself carries the idea of something turning into something else.

Three things can change which sign is correct. Check them before practicing.

• Which sign language: this guide covers ASL, which is used in the United States. Other sign languages, such as British Sign Language, are separate languages with their own vocabulary, so the ASL sign may not be understood there.
• Which meaning: the twisting sign expresses change in the sense of alter, modify or become different. Coins or money returned after a purchase is a different idea and is usually expressed differently. Context, a money-related sign or fingerspelling are common options, but confirm the local usage with a fluent signer.
• Regional and personal variation: published descriptions differ slightly in the handshape. Some show a closed A handshape, with the thumb resting against the side of the fist. Others show an X handshape, with the index finger bent like a hook. Both forms appear in teaching materials.

Step by step: forming the sign

• 1. Shape both hands. Make a loose fist with each hand in an A handshape, or crook each index finger into a hook for the X variant.
• 2. Position them. Hold both hands in front of your chest, palms facing each other, with your dominant hand slightly above your non-dominant hand. The knuckles should be close together or lightly touching.
• 3. Twist. Rotate both wrists at the same time so the hands turn around each other. The hand that started on top finishes underneath, and the other finishes on top.
• 4. Finish cleanly. Stop once the positions have reversed. A single smooth twist is the basic form.

How to tell whether you did it right

• Watch yourself in a mirror. Your hands should begin stacked, twist together, and end stacked the other way round.
• Both wrists should move at the same time. One hand circling a still hand is a different-looking movement.
• The hands should stay close together throughout rather than drifting apart.
• Compare your version with a video from a reputable ASL dictionary or a Deaf instructor. Written descriptions, including this one, can't show timing and small details of movement as clearly as a video can.

Limitations of this guide

No specific source material was supplied for this article. The description above reflects the form commonly taught for ASL and does not draw on a particular dictionary or verified reference. Your community may use a slightly different version, and the meaning of a sign can shift with facial expression and context. The most reliable check is feedback from a fluent signer, ideally a Deaf ASL user or a qualified instructor. They can confirm the sign and tell you whether your intended meaning, such as altering a plan or handing back coins, calls for this sign or a different one.