ASL Isn’t English in Disguise

I've been signing for over forty years and teaching online for the last ten years.

If I had a dollar for every time a student was surprised that ASL isn’t just “English on the hands” — or that facial expressions are actually required — I’d be retired by now.

Sign Language learners need to understand that ASL is a full, complex, and complete language.

The ASL Language

American Sign Language has its own grammar, syntax, rules, and cultural context. It's not a visual copy of English.

From facial expressions that mark questions to spatial shifts that show contrast, ASL uses the entire body to communicate meaning. Learning ASL isn't just memorizing signs - it's learning how to think, express, and connect in a completely different linguistic framework.

ASL Grammar Basics

ASL has its own grammar syntax that does not follow English. Here's a few key differences:

• Time markers come first - Example: YESTERDAY I GO STORE. This sets the tense and provides context before the action.
• Facial expressions carry grammar -Raised eyebrows = yes/no question Furrowed brows = wh-question These expressions aren’t optional — they’re part of the sentence.
• Interrogative words go at the end - Example: YOUR NAME WHAT? Signs like WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY typically appear last.
• Body shifts show dialog or contrast - For Example: Left shift: SOME PEOPLE LIKE TEXT Right shift: OTHERS LIKE SIGN. This spatial grammar helps distinguish speakers or ideas.
• No articles, no filler - ASL doesn't use “the,” “a,” or “an.” It’s efficient, expressive, and visual. Example: NICE MEET YOU or simply NICE MEET — the sign MEET already implies directionality, so YOU may be unnecessary.

This makes ASL a language of clarity, emotion, and spatial storytelling — not a translation.

Signed Concept, Not Word-for-Word Translation

One of the biggest shifts for new ASL learners is realizing that sign language doesn’t translate word-for-word from English. ASL isn’t just a different way to say the same thing — it’s a different way to mean something.

In ASL, signs represent concepts, not individual words. A single sign might cover multiple English phrases depending on context. For example, the sign FINISH can mean “already,” “done,” or “that’s it.” It’s not about matching vocabulary — it’s about conveying intent.

This is why ASL learners need to focus on meaning, not memorizing English equivalents. The goal isn’t to substitute signs for words, but to understand how ASL expresses ideas through movement, space, and expression.

Learning ASL means learning to think visually, contextually, and conceptually. It’s about stepping into a language that prioritizes clarity, emotion, and presence — not just translation.

Using the Wrong Signs Has Consequences

Let me share a story I witnessed from a Deaf man.

When he was in elementary school, he was mainstreamed with a few other Deaf kids in a standard classroom. One day, the principal entered with an interpreter to announce that their teacher had passed away.

The hearing students understood immediately and began crying. The Deaf students, however, shrugged and kept playing. The principal assumed they were being disrespectful and punished them — lining them up to face the wall for the rest of the afternoon.

Later, the Deaf boy’s mother arrived and saw the children still standing there. She asked why they were being punished. When the principal explained, she turned to the interpreter and asked, “How did you sign it to them?”

The interpreter had signed PASS AWAY — using PASS as in passing a grade or moving ahead, and AWAY as in leaving or going somewhere. The concept of death hadn’t been conveyed at all.

The mother was furious. She got the children’s attention and signed clearly: YOUR TEACHER DIE GONE. All the Deaf children broke down crying.

The videos show Dr. Bill Vicars signing DEAD GONE

The principal was stunned. The mother, rightfully angry, made sure both the principal and interpreter understood the gravity of their mistake.

This story shows why signing isn’t just about vocabulary — it’s about concepts, clarity, and emotional truth.

ASL Comes With Culture — Not Just Signs

Please remember, ASL isn’t just a set of hand movements. It’s a full language shaped by the values, history, and lived experience of the Deaf community. The way signs are structured, the use of space, and the rhythm of communication all reflect cultural depth.

You can’t truly learn ASL without learning the culture it comes from. That means understanding why facial expressions matter, why certain signs carry emotional weight, and why you can’t just invent or alter signs to suit personal preference. Every sign holds shared meaning — changing them risks confusion, erasure, or harm.

ASL is more than vocabulary. It’s a way of thinking, connecting, and belonging. When you learn ASL, you’re not just learning how to sign — you’re learning how to see language differently.

ASL Is Its Own Language — Learn It That Way

ASL isn’t a version of English. It’s not a shortcut, a code, or a translation. It’s a full, expressive language with its own grammar, rhythm, and cultural depth.

Learning ASL means learning to think differently — through movement, space, and emotion. It means understanding that signs carry concepts, not words. That facial expressions are grammar. That meaning lives in how we show up, not just what we say.

You can’t learn ASL by memorizing English equivalents. You learn it by stepping into a new way of seeing language — one that’s visual, spatial, and deeply human.

So, if you’re learning ASL, learn it as it is.

Learn it with care, with curiosity, and with respect for the culture that shaped it.

If you’re ready to learn ASL with clarity and care, check out the Lifeprint website and its Facebook page. It’s one of the most trusted, accessible resources — created by a Deaf professor — and widely used by both beginners and educators.