Months in Sign Language: How ASL Signers Express Them

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), the sign language most widely used in the US, months are usually fingerspelled rather than given dedicated signs. Longer month names are commonly shortened to an abbreviation, such as J-A-N for January. Short names, such as May, June and July, are usually spelled in full. This is a widely taught convention, not a fixed rule. Signers vary by region, community and personal habit, and other sign languages handle months differently.

The common fingerspelling pattern in ASL

Month | Commonly taught form | Note

January | J-A-N | Abbreviated

February | F-E-B | Abbreviated

March | M-A-R-C-H | Often spelled in full; some signers abbreviate

April | A-P-R-I-L | Often spelled in full; some signers abbreviate

May | M-A-Y | Spelled in full

June | J-U-N-E | Spelled in full

July | J-U-L-Y | Spelled in full

August | A-U-G | Abbreviated

September | S-E-P-T | Abbreviated

October | O-C-T | Abbreviated

November | N-O-V | Abbreviated

December | D-E-C | Abbreviated

Because these months are fingerspelled, each letter uses the one-handed ASL manual alphabet. Fluent signers often blend the letters into a quick, fluid movement instead of holding each letter separately. The overall shape of the word can matter as much as the individual letters.

Where the pattern does not apply

The convention above describes ASL. Other sign languages have their own approaches. British Sign Language, for example, uses a two-handed manual alphabet, so fingerspelled months look entirely different. Some Deaf communities also use local or regional signs for certain months. If you are learning for a specific community, school or workplace, follow how the signers there actually express dates.

Limits of this guide

No specific source material was supplied for this article. The table reflects a commonly taught ASL convention, not findings from documented research or testing. It does not cover regional variants, signs used in particular communities, or how months combine with numbers in full dates. For an authoritative answer, check with a qualified ASL instructor or Deaf-led learning resources.

What this means for webcam calls

Fingerspelled months are quick and depend on fine handshape detail. On a video call, the camera image carries this information, not the microphone. Upgrading or changing a webcam's built-in microphone will not make signed dates easier to read. What helps is a clear, steady picture of the hands and face. Fast hand movement can blur or break up when lighting is poor, the frame rate drops, or the connection forces heavy video compression.

• Frame yourself so the fingerspelling space, usually near the shoulder of the dominant hand, is fully in view along with your face.
• Light yourself from the front, and avoid strong backlighting from windows.
• Use a plain background that contrasts with your skin tone and clothing.
• Keep the camera stable rather than handheld.
• Prioritize a steady network connection, since congestion can reduce video quality during rapid movement.

Audio still matters in mixed meetings. If a voicing interpreter renders signed content into speech, that interpreter's audio input should be selected correctly in the conferencing app and tested before the call. Many conferencing tools also choose the featured video based on who is producing sound. A signer may therefore not be spotlighted automatically. Pinning or spotlighting the signer's and interpreter's video keeps the signing visible, whatever the audio activity.

Next step

Practice the abbreviated and full-length month spellings until they flow smoothly. Then confirm local usage with signers in your community. Before an important call, run a short video check to make sure your fingerspelling is readable on camera.