How to sign “Discussing” in ASL

Everyday Life

The BSL sign for “Discussing” isn't in our dictionary yet — it will be fingerspelled in BSL mode, never replaced with this ASL sign.

Step by step

  1. Raise your dominant hand with the index finger extended and the other fingers folded into a loose fist.
  2. Hold your non-dominant hand open and flat at chest height with its palm facing upward.
  3. Tap the side of your dominant index finger down onto the open palm of your non-dominant hand.
  4. Repeat the tapping motion at least once more, keeping the movement quick and crisp.
  5. Keep your dominant palm facing sideways as the index finger strikes the opposite palm.
  6. Use a neutral, engaged expression, as if raising points in a back-and-forth debate.

Practice tip

“Discussing” is signed with the base DISCUSS sign — ASL/BSL marks ongoing action on the sign, not with a separate word.

Fingerspell “Discussing”

Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.

ASL handshape for letter DASL handshape for letter IASL handshape for letter SASL handshape for letter CASL handshape for letter UASL handshape for letter SASL handshape for letter SASL handshape for letter IASL handshape for letter NASL handshape for letter G

See all ASL handshapes in the alphabet reference

Text-based guide researched from established ASL references (Lifeprint, university and public-health materials) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade.

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