How to sign “Responsible” in ASL
The BSL sign for “Responsible” isn't in our dictionary yet — it will be fingerspelled in BSL mode, never replaced with this ASL sign.
Step by step
- Hold both hands in bent B shapes, with the fingers curved and the thumbs alongside.
- Raise both hands to your shoulders, letting the fingertips touch down on them.
- Tap your shoulders once or twice with the fingertips, using a firm, short contact.
- Keep the palms angled down toward your shoulders as the fingertips make contact.
- Hold a steady, serious expression — this sign names a duty, so sign it with weight.
Practice tip
Think of the weight of a duty resting on your shoulders — tap twice for ‘responsibility,’ one long hold for ‘you are responsible.’
Fingerspell “Responsible”
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.