Sign Language Vocabulary in English — 20 Essential Terms
Sign language is a rich, complete language system used by deaf and hard-of-hearing communities worldwide. Understanding key vocabulary helps educators, healthcare workers, and allies communicate more inclusively.
Pedagogically reviewed by LexFizz Team
Sign language is a visual and gestural language with its own grammar, structure, and cultural identity. Across the world, different countries have developed their own sign languages: BSL (British Sign Language) is used in the UK, while ASL (American Sign Language) is used in the United States and parts of Canada. These languages are not simply signed versions of spoken English — they are fully independent languages with their own rules.
For A2 and B1 English learners, learning this vocabulary opens doors to more inclusive communication. Whether you work in education, healthcare, or community services, knowing terms like interpreter, facial expression, and accessibility helps you discuss and support Deaf communities with confidence and respect.
Explore related vocabulary on our Healthcare vocabulary, Education vocabulary, and Inclusion vocabulary pages to build a broader understanding of language and communication diversity. For a fuller definition of any of these terms, see the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries.
Word List
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| handshape | the shape your hand makes when producing a sign; one of the key building blocks of any sign language | The teacher showed students the correct handshape for the sign meaning "thank you." |
| fingerspelling | a system of spelling out words letter by letter using different hand positions, often used for names or new words | When she did not know the sign for a word, she used fingerspelling to communicate it. |
| BSL | British Sign Language; the sign language used by the Deaf community in the United Kingdom | The receptionist at the hospital had basic BSL skills to help deaf patients. |
| ASL | American Sign Language; the sign language used mainly in the United States and parts of Canada | She studied ASL at university so she could work as an interpreter after she graduated. |
| Deaf community | the social group of deaf and hard-of-hearing people who share a language, culture, and identity | The event was designed to be fully accessible to the local Deaf community. |
| interpreter | a person who translates spoken language into sign language, or sign language into speech, in real time | A BSL interpreter stood beside the speaker so deaf audience members could follow the talk. |
| signer | a person who uses sign language to communicate, either as their first language or as a learned skill | The signer translated the news programme into BSL for deaf viewers watching at home. |
| facial expression | the way the face moves to show meaning, grammar, or emotion; in sign languages, facial expressions are essential grammatical features | In BSL, facial expression is not optional — it changes the meaning of many signs. |
| mouth pattern | the movement of the lips and mouth that sometimes accompanies a sign, often reflecting the spoken word | Some signers use mouth patterns alongside their hand signs to help lip-readers follow along. |
| non-manual features | parts of a sign that are produced without the hands, including facial expressions, eye gaze, head movements, and body posture | Non-manual features are just as important as handshapes in conveying meaning in sign language. |
| spatial grammar | the way sign languages use the space in front of the body to show relationships between people, things, and ideas | Through spatial grammar, a signer can show who did what to whom without using separate words for each role. |
| classifier | a handshape that represents a category of noun and is used to describe location, movement, or appearance | The signer used a classifier handshape to show how the car moved slowly along the road. |
| Deaf culture | the shared experiences, values, history, art, and social norms of the Deaf community | Learning about Deaf culture helped the student understand why some deaf people feel proud of their identity. |
| lip-reading | the skill of understanding speech by watching the movement of the speaker's lips, face, and mouth | Lip-reading is difficult because many sounds look the same on the lips, so context matters a lot. |
| cochlear implant | a small electronic device placed inside the ear during surgery that can give some sense of sound to a deaf person | The family discussed the benefits and drawbacks of a cochlear implant with their audiologist. |
| hearing impairment | a partial or full reduction in the ability to hear; the term covers a wide range of hearing loss | The school provided extra support for pupils with a hearing impairment so they could take part fully in lessons. |
| accessibility | the quality of being easy for everyone to use or enter, including people with disabilities | Adding BSL interpretation to public events greatly improves accessibility for the Deaf community. |
| inclusion | the practice of making sure all people, including those with disabilities, can take part equally in society | Inclusion means more than just being present — it means having equal opportunities to participate. |
| bilingualism | the ability to use two languages fluently; many deaf people are bilingual in a sign language and a written form of the national language | Many deaf children develop bilingualism in BSL and written English during their school years. |
| deaf awareness | an understanding of the needs, experiences, and culture of deaf and hard-of-hearing people | The company ran a deaf awareness workshop so all staff could communicate better with deaf colleagues. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BSL and ASL?
BSL, or British Sign Language, is used in the United Kingdom, while ASL, or American Sign Language, is used mainly in the United States and parts of Canada. Although both countries share English as a spoken language, BSL and ASL are completely different languages with different handshapes, grammar rules, and vocabulary. A BSL user and an ASL user would not automatically understand each other. BSL has more historical connections to French Sign Language, whereas ASL developed independently. This is why it is important to find an interpreter who knows the specific sign language your audience uses.
What is fingerspelling and when is it used?
Fingerspelling is a way of spelling out a word letter by letter using different hand positions, each one representing a letter of the alphabet. In BSL, fingerspelling uses both hands, while in ASL it uses only one hand. Fingerspelling is used when there is no established sign for a word — for example, a name, a technical term, or a brand new idea. It is also used to introduce a new sign before showing the full signed version. While fingerspelling is slower than using a full sign, it is a valuable tool that helps signers handle any word they need to express.
Why are facial expressions so important in sign language?
In spoken languages, the tone of your voice can change the meaning of a sentence — for example, a rising tone can turn a statement into a question. In sign languages, facial expressions perform the same role. A neutral face, raised eyebrows, or a furrowed brow can completely change the grammatical meaning of a sign. Raised eyebrows might signal a yes-or-no question, while furrowed brows often signal a question word such as "who" or "where." Because of this, facial expressions in sign language are not just emotional — they are a core part of grammar and cannot be left out without changing meaning.
What does spatial grammar mean in sign language?
Spatial grammar is one of the most distinctive features of sign languages. Signers use the space in front of their body to represent people, objects, and ideas. Once you place something in a particular spot in space, you can refer back to it by pointing to that spot or by directing a sign towards it. For example, if a signer places an imaginary "teacher" on the left and a "student" on the right, they can later show who gave something to whom simply by moving a sign from left to right. This spatial system replaces many of the word-order rules that spoken languages use, making sign languages very efficient and expressive.
What is a classifier in sign language?
A classifier is a special handshape that stands for a whole category of nouns and is used to describe how something looks, where it is, or how it moves. For example, a flat hand held horizontally might represent any flat surface like a table, a floor, or a road, while two fingers walking might represent a person moving. Classifiers allow signers to describe scenes and actions in rich visual detail without needing a separate sign for every possible noun. They are one of the features that make sign languages distinctly visual and spatial in their structure.
Is lip-reading a reliable way for deaf people to understand speech?
Lip-reading, also called speech-reading, is the skill of understanding spoken language by watching the movements of the speaker's lips, face, and mouth. However, it is far less reliable than many hearing people assume. Research suggests that even skilled lip-readers can only correctly identify around 30 to 40 per cent of speech by sight alone, because many sounds look identical on the lips — for example, "p", "b", and "m" all look the same. Good lighting, a clear view of the speaker's face, and knowing the context all help, but lip-reading works best as one tool among several, not as a complete substitute for sign language or written communication.
What is Deaf culture and why does it matter?
Deaf culture refers to the shared history, values, art, humour, and social norms of the Deaf community. Many deaf people see their deafness not as a disability but as a cultural identity, and they feel pride in their language and community. Deaf culture has produced its own literature, theatre, and poetry, as well as strong advocacy for sign language rights. Understanding Deaf culture is important for anyone who works with or alongside deaf people, because it helps avoid assumptions — for example, not every deaf person wants a cochlear implant, and not every deaf person identifies with the label "hearing impaired." Respecting these differences is a key part of genuine inclusion.
What is the difference between "deaf" with a lowercase d and "Deaf" with a capital D?
This distinction is widely used in the Deaf community and in academic writing about sign language. A lowercase deaf is an audiological term that simply means a person has a significant hearing loss. The capital-D Deaf refers to people who identify as part of the Deaf cultural and linguistic community — those who use a sign language as their primary language and share a cultural identity with other Deaf people. Not all people with a hearing loss identify as Deaf: some may use hearing aids or cochlear implants and feel more connected to hearing culture. Using the correct term shows respect for how individuals see themselves.
What do accessibility and inclusion mean in the context of the Deaf community?
Accessibility means removing barriers so that everyone, regardless of disability, can use a space, service, or event. For the Deaf community, accessibility might include providing a BSL interpreter at a public meeting, adding captions to a video, or ensuring that fire alarms have flashing lights as well as sound. Inclusion goes further: it means actively welcoming deaf people as equal participants, not as an afterthought. An accessible event has an interpreter; an inclusive event plans from the start with deaf attendees in mind. Both concepts are important, but inclusion is the broader goal that accessibility helps to achieve.
What is the best way to start learning sign language as an English learner?
The best way to start is to learn the vocabulary that is most relevant to you — for example, greetings, numbers, and key phrases for your workplace or daily life. Decide first whether you want to learn BSL (if you are in the UK) or ASL (if you are in the US), as they are different languages. Many community centres, charities, and online platforms offer beginner sign language courses. Watching videos with a native signer and practising with a partner is far more effective than studying from a list alone, because sign language is a visual and physical language. Starting with deaf awareness, as this vocabulary page covers, gives you the background knowledge to learn with respect and understanding.