How to sign “States” in ASL
The BSL sign for “States” isn't in our dictionary yet — it will be fingerspelled in BSL mode, never replaced with this ASL sign.
Step by step
- Make an S fist with your dominant hand, fingers curled and thumb across them.
- Hold your non-dominant hand flat at chest height, palm up, as a steady base.
- Touch the side of the S fist against the middle of the base palm.
- Slide the S hand in a small arc down to the lower part of the base palm.
- Keep the movement short and controlled, staying in touch with the base hand.
- Keep your expression neutral — this is a plain vocabulary sign.
Practice tip
Plural of “State” — sign the base sign (often repeated) for more than one.
Fingerspell “States”
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.