How to Sign Speak and Talk

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), a common sign for TALK uses a 4 handshape. That means four fingers extended and slightly spread, with the thumb folded into the palm. Place the index-finger side of your dominant hand near your chin or mouth, then move the hand forward a short distance. This movement is often repeated. Many signers use the same sign for SPEAK, so one sign can usually cover both words.

Two things can change this answer. First, sign languages differ by country. ASL is used in the US and parts of Canada, but British, Australian and other sign languages have their own signs. Second, ASL does not translate English word for word. The best sign depends on what you mean: casual talking, a formal speech, saying something specific, or speaking out loud as opposed to signing.

No verified reference material was supplied for this guide. The descriptions below reflect widely taught ASL forms, but signs vary by region, community and signer. Check them against a reputable ASL video dictionary or with a Deaf ASL teacher before you rely on them.

How to sign TALK step by step

• 1. Use your dominant hand, the one you write with.
• 2. Form a 4 handshape: index, middle, ring and little fingers extended and slightly apart, thumb tucked against the palm.
• 3. Hold the hand upright, palm facing to the side, with the index-finger edge near your chin or lips.
• 4. Move the hand forward a few inches, away from your mouth.
• 5. Bring it back and repeat the forward movement once or twice.
• 6. Keep your face relaxed and engaged. Facial expression carries meaning in ASL.

Some signers use a variant where only the index finger, not all four fingers, moves forward from the mouth. If the people you sign with use a different form, follow their usage.

How to sign SPEAK and related meanings

For everyday sentences such as "Can I speak with you?", most learners can use the TALK sign described above. If you mean something narrower, a different sign may fit better. Confirm each of these in a video dictionary, because written descriptions cannot show the exact movement.

Meaning you want | Commonly used ASL approach | Notes

Talk / speak in general | TALK: 4 handshape moving forward from the chin or mouth | Often used for both words

Say something | SAY: index finger near the chin or mouth moving forward | Used for reporting what someone said

Have a conversation or chat | Both index fingers near the chin, moving alternately forward and back | Suggests back-and-forth talk

Give a speech or lecture | Raised flat hand near the side of the head, moving forward and back | Used for formal speaking to an audience

Speak out loud (not sign) | Often expressed with signs referring to the voice or mouth | Usage varies, so ask a fluent signer

How to sign speaking or talking

ASL has no -ing ending like English. To show that someone is speaking or talking over a period of time, signers usually repeat or stretch out the movement, and context makes the meaning clear. For example, repeating the TALK sign in a steady rhythm, with a matching facial expression, can show that talking went on for a while. You do not need to add a separate sign for "-ing".

How to check that you are signing it correctly

• 1. Watch a reputable ASL video dictionary entry for TALK, and for SPEAK if it is listed separately. Note the handshape, where the hand starts, which way it moves and how many times the movement repeats.
• 2. Sign it facing a mirror, or record yourself with your phone or computer camera so your face and upper body are in frame.
• 3. Compare your recording with the video, checking handshape, location near the mouth, direction and repetition.
• 4. If possible, ask a Deaf signer or an ASL teacher to watch you. This is the only check on this list that tells you whether the sign is understood and natural in real conversation.

Matching a video shows that your form looks right. It does not confirm that you chose the best sign for your meaning or region. Only feedback from fluent signers can confirm that.