How to Sign "Discuss" in American Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), DISCUSS is commonly taught like this: hold your non-dominant hand flat with the palm facing up, then tap the side or tip of your dominant index finger into that palm two or more times. The repeated tapping is part of the sign, so don't do it as a single touch.

"Sign language" is not one universal language. ASL is the sign language most widely used in the United States. British Sign Language, Auslan, Russian Sign Language and others have their own vocabularies, and their sign for "discuss" can look completely different. This guide covers only the ASL sign. If you are learning a different sign language, check that language's own dictionary or teacher.

Step-by-step: signing DISCUSS

• 1. Base hand: hold your non-dominant hand in front of your body at about chest height. Keep it flat, fingers together, palm up.
• 2. Active hand: make a "1" handshape with your dominant hand by extending the index finger and curling the other fingers into the palm.
• 3. Contact: bring the side or tip of your extended index finger down onto the center of your open palm.
• 4. Repeat: tap two or more times with short, relaxed movements. The repetition carries the idea of an ongoing back-and-forth exchange.
• 5. Facial expression: use a neutral or engaged expression that matches what you are saying. In ASL, facial expression is part of the grammar, not decoration.

Common mistakes

• Tapping only once. A single tap is easy to misread, so keep the repetition.
• Using the whole hand instead of the index finger. The active hand should be in the "1" handshape.
• Letting the base hand drift or tilt sharply. A steady palm makes the contact point clear.
• Signing too close to the body or too low. Stay in the space in front of your chest, where signs are easiest to see.

Related signs that are easy to confuse

ASL has separate signs for ideas that sit close to "discuss," such as TALK, CONVERSATION, ARGUE and DEBATE. The English words overlap, but the signs do not, so pick the one that matches what you actually mean. For example, if you mean a heated argument rather than a calm discussion, DISCUSS may not be the right choice. This guide does not describe those other signs in detail. Look them up individually rather than assuming they use the same movement.

Regional variation and the limits of this guide

Signs can vary by region, community, age group and school, just as spoken words do. The form above is the commonly taught version, but it was not checked against a specific dictionary entry or video for this article. Before you rely on it in an important conversation, compare it with an ASL dictionary that shows the sign on video, or ask a Deaf signer or certified ASL instructor. A written description cannot fully capture timing, hand angle or facial grammar, so video or live feedback is the most reliable check.

Checking your sign on camera

Recording yourself is a practical way to see whether your sign is clear, especially if you plan to sign on video calls. Keep three things separate when you test. First, the browser or operating system must give the app permission to use your camera. Second, the camera must actually show a live image. Third, the video must be clear enough for someone to read your hands. Having permission does not guarantee a working picture, and a working picture does not guarantee that your signing is readable.

• Frame yourself from roughly the top of your head to your waist so both hands stay in view while signing.
• Face a light source instead of sitting with a bright window behind you. Backlighting can turn your hands into silhouettes.
• Choose a plain physical background that contrasts with your skin tone and clothing, so your hand shapes stand out.
• Be careful with virtual background or blur effects in call apps. They can cut off or smear fast-moving hands and fingers. If your fingers flicker or disappear, turn the effect off.
• Play back the recording and confirm that the index finger, the palm and the repeated taps are all clearly visible.

Next step

Practice the sign a few times, check it on camera, and then confirm it against a video source or a fluent signer. If you are learning sign language beyond single words, a structured ASL course or Deaf-led class will teach grammar, facial expression and context that individual sign lookups cannot.