How to sign “Keeping” in ASL
The BSL sign for “Keeping” isn't in our dictionary yet — it will be fingerspelled in BSL mode, never replaced with this ASL sign.
Step by step
- Shape both hands into K handshapes, with the middle finger resting on the thumb and the index and pinky fingers extended.
- Hold your non-dominant K hand out to the side of your body, steady and still as the base.
- Swing your dominant K hand in one quick downward motion onto the non-dominant K hand.
- Let the pinky-side edge of the dominant hand land firmly on the top of the base hand.
- Keep the base hand frozen through the whole movement; only the dominant hand travels.
- Pair the sign with a firm, decisive expression when signing it as a command like keep it.
Practice tip
“Keeping” is signed with the base KEEP sign — ASL/BSL marks ongoing action on the sign, not with a separate word.
Fingerspell “Keeping”
Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.
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.