How to sign “Wests” in ASL

Everyday Life

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

Step by step

  1. Shape your dominant hand into a W, three fingers up and the thumb holding the pinky.
  2. Hold the W in front of your chest at a comfortable height, palm angled slightly forward.
  3. Sweep the whole hand sideways to your left in one short, level motion.
  4. Keep the W handshape frozen and the palm steady through the sweep.
  5. Picture a map: west sits at the left edge, so the W travels toward it.
  6. Keep your face neutral and the movement crisp — direction signs stay small and clear.

Practice tip

Plural of “West” — sign the base sign (often repeated) for more than one.

Fingerspell “Wests”

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

ASL handshape for letter WASL handshape for letter EASL handshape for letter SASL handshape for letter TASL handshape for letter S

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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