How To Sign What In ASL: A Complete Masterclass In American Sign Language WH-Questions
Signing "what" in American Sign Language (ASL) is a foundational grammatical skill requiring a specific handshape, neutral signing space positioning, and mandatory non-manual markers like furrowed eyebrows. Mastery of this sign unlocks the ability to ask open-ended questions, clarify information, and engage natively within the Deaf community.
Foundational Prerequisites for ASL WH-Word Acquisition
Before executing individual signs, achieving fluency in American Sign Language demands an understanding of its distinct spatial and visual syntax. Unlike spoken English, which relies on vocal inflection, ASL utilizes a complex system of manual articulations combined with facial expressions to govern sentence structure and meaning.
- Essential Gear and Ergonomics: No physical tools or gadgets are required for sign language acquisition, but optimal execution requires a clear field of vision from the sternum to the top of the forehead. Maintain relaxed shoulders and sit or stand with an upright posture to ensure comfortable, fluid arm movements.
- Mandatory Prerequisite Knowledge: Familiarity with the ASL signing space, dominant versus non-dominant hand usage, and the foundational rule of WH-questions (where the question word is placed at the end of the sentence or accompanied by specific facial grammar) is critical.
- Estimated Mastery Timeline: Basic execution of the sign takes less than two minutes to learn, while seamless integration into natural conversation tempo and mastery of non-manual markers typically requires two to three weeks of consistent daily practice.
Step-by-Step Execution of How to Sign What in ASL
Step 1: Handshape and Finger Positioning
Begin by preparing your dominant hand. Extend all five fingers comfortably, keeping them slightly separated and relaxed rather than rigid. Bend your fingers slightly at the knuckles and the middle joints in a loose, claw-like or open-hand shape, similar to the shape your hand makes when holding a small bowl or letting it rest naturally.
Pro-Tip: Avoid keeping your fingers completely straight and flat like a board, as well as tightly curled into a fist. A relaxed, slightly curved posture is the baseline standard for the "what" handshape.
Step 2: Placement in the Signing Space
Position your dominant hand out in front of your chest at approximately mid-torso height, roughly midway between your shoulders. The palm of your hand should be facing upward toward the ceiling. Your forearm should remain parallel to the ground or tilted slightly upward, allowing your hand to rest comfortably in your neutral signing space.
Warning: Do not sign too close to your chest or press your elbow against your ribs. Keep your arm loose with a comfortable bend at the elbow to ensure the sign is clear and physically sustainable during extended conversations.
Step 3: Horizontal Shaking Motion
With your palm facing upward and fingers slightly bent, move your hands slightly back and forth horizontally. Execute this movement by pivoting gently from your wrists, sliding your dominant hand two to three inches to the left and right twice. The movement should be smooth, compact, and contained entirely within your immediate personal space.
Pro-Tip: The shaking motion represents the uncertainty or open-ended nature of the question. Keep the motion crisp and avoid overly large, exaggerated gestures, which can look unnatural in fluent conversation.
Step 4: Activating Non-Manual Markers
Simultaneously with the manual shaking motion, you must engage your facial grammar. Lower your eyebrows and furrow them slightly toward each other. Tilt your head slightly forward or hold it neutral while maintaining direct eye contact with your conversational partner.
Warning: Omitting the furrowed eyebrows completely changes the grammatical structure of your sentence in ASL. Without this non-manual marker, your sentence transforms from a "WH-question" into a "yes-no question" or a statement, leading to communication breakdowns.
American Sign Language Sign: Signs For Beginners Asl - IOGK
Comparative Breakdown of Interrogative Signs in ASL
| Interrogative Sign | Handshape | Palm Orientation | Movement Type | Facial Grammar (Non-Manual Marker) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What | Open hand, slightly bent fingers | Facing upward | Horizontal side-to-side wrist pivot | Furrowed eyebrows |
| Who | Extended index finger (L-shape or X-shape variant) | Facing inward/sideways | Small circle around the lips | Furrowed eyebrows |
| Where | Open index finger, upright | Facing forward | Side-to-side lateral wave | Furrowed eyebrows |
| When | Index finger orbiting the non-dominant index | Facing sideways/downward | Circular rotation | Furrowed eyebrows |
Common Execution Errors and Field Fixes
- Root Cause: Flat, rigid fingers held tightly together during the sign.
- Actionable Fix: Relax your hand completely and practice opening your palm while letting your fingers naturally curve as if resting over a small sphere.
- Root Cause: Excessive whole-arm movement instead of a localized wrist pivot.
- Actionable Fix: Anchor your upper arm near your side and isolate the movement strictly to your wrist joints to keep the sign compact and readable.
- Root Cause: A blank, neutral facial expression or raised eyebrows while asking the question.
- Actionable Fix: Practice in front of a mirror, deliberately lowering and furrowing your brow whenever your hands initiate the "what" movement until it becomes an automatic reflex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the sign for what change based on sentence structure?
In ASL, the sign for "what" remains manually identical regardless of context, but its placement within a sentence can vary. While it can be placed at the end of a question for emphasis, it is often placed contextually while maintaining the mandatory furrowed brow non-manual marker throughout the entire sentence duration.
Can I sign what with only one hand?
Yes, "what" is natively a one-handed sign executed with your dominant hand. Using both hands to sign "what" is considered a grammatical error or an unnatural over-articulation in standard American Sign Language conversation.
How do I ask "what's up" in ASL?
The phrase "what's up" is a common cultural greeting that has its own dedicated idiom in ASL rather than spelling out or signing individual words. It is executed by placing both open hands near your chest with middle fingers pointing inward, then bouncing or flicking your middle fingers upward toward your chin.
Why are facial expressions required when signing what?
Facial expressions in ASL serve the exact same grammatical function as tone of voice, punctuation, and auxiliary verbs do in spoken English. Furrowed eyebrows signal to the observer that an open-ended information-seeking question is being asked.
Take your American Sign Language fluency to the next level by practicing daily with native signers and incorporating proper non-manual markers into every query.
