GSL Visual Dictionary

Wave your open hand side to side at shoulder height, palm facing outward. Accompanied by a friendly facial expression.

Sign GOOD (flat hand moves from chin forward) then MORNING (dominant forearm rises from horizontal to upright, representing the sun rising).

Sign GOOD then AFTERNOON — dominant forearm tilts at a 45° angle downward from upright, representing the sun's afternoon position.

Sign GOOD then EVENING — dominant forearm drops from upright to nearly horizontal, representing sunset.

Point index finger toward the person, then sign HOW (both fists placed knuckles-together, twist outward) and bring the sign back toward the person. Use a questioning facial expression.

Point to yourself (I), then touch your chest with an open hand and move it forward smoothly (FINE). A calm, positive expression accompanies this sign.

Touch your chin or lips with the fingertips of your flat hand, then move the hand forward and slightly downward, as if offering something with gratitude.

Place your flat dominant hand on your chest and rub in a circular motion. The movement is gentle and conveys politeness.

Open hand with palm facing outward, fingers together. Wave the hand side to side or open-close the fingers repeatedly.

Make a fist with your dominant hand (A-hand) and rub it in a circle on your chest. Accompanied by a regretful facial expression.

Extend your open hand outward from your body and sweep it inward in a welcoming gesture, as if inviting someone to come closer.

Point to yourself (MY), then tap the side of your index and middle fingers together twice at forehead level (NAME), then fingerspell your name.

Make a fist with the thumb resting alongside the fingers (not tucked in). Palm faces the viewer.

Hold your hand up with all four fingers extended straight and together, thumb folded across the palm. Palm faces the viewer.

Curve all fingers and thumb into a C-shape, as if holding a cup. Palm faces sideways.

Touch the tip of your thumb to the tips of your middle, ring, and pinky fingers, while the index finger points straight up.

Curl all four fingers down to touch the thumb, forming a tight, rounded shape. Palm faces the viewer.

Touch the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb forming a circle. Extend the other three fingers straight up.

Extend your index finger and thumb parallel to each other, pointing sideways. Other fingers are curled. Shares handshape with L but differs in orientation.

Extend index and middle fingers together, pointing sideways. Other fingers and thumb are curled.

Make a fist with only the pinky finger extended straight up. Palm faces the viewer.

Start with the I-hand (pinky up), then trace a J-shape in the air by sweeping the pinky downward and curving it.

Extend index and middle fingers in a V, with the thumb touching the middle finger at the middle knuckle. Shares handshape with P.

Extend your index finger up and thumb out to the side, forming an L-shape. Other fingers are curled. Shares handshape with G.

Place your thumb under your first three fingers (index, middle, ring) which drape over the thumb. Palm faces down.

Place your thumb under your first two fingers (index and middle) which drape over the thumb. Palm faces down.

Curve all fingers to meet the thumb, forming a round O-shape. Like holding a small ball.

Same handshape as K (V-hand with thumb touching middle finger) but with the hand pointing downward.

Same handshape as G (index and thumb parallel) but with the hand pointing downward.

Cross your index and middle fingers (index in front). Other fingers and thumb are curled. Palm faces the viewer.

Make a fist with the thumb wrapped across the front of the fingers. Palm faces the viewer.

Place your thumb between your index and middle fingers, with all fingers curled into a fist.

Extend index and middle fingers together, pointing upward. Other fingers and thumb are curled. Same shape as H but pointing up.

Extend your index and middle fingers apart in a V-shape. Other fingers and thumb are curled. Palm faces the viewer.

Extend your index, middle, and ring fingers apart. Thumb and pinky are curled. Palm faces the viewer.

Make a fist, then bend your index finger into a hook shape. Palm faces sideways.

Extend your thumb and pinky finger, curl the other three fingers. Like a "hang loose" gesture. Palm faces the viewer.

Extend the index finger and trace the letter Z in the air in front of you with a zigzag motion.

Hold up your index finger with the palm facing the viewer. Other fingers and thumb are curled.

Extend your index and middle fingers in a V-shape. Palm faces the viewer.

Extend your thumb, index, and middle fingers. Ring and pinky are curled.

Extend all four fingers (index through pinky) with the thumb folded across the palm.

Open your entire hand with all five fingers spread apart. Palm faces the viewer.

Hold up your hand in a fist with the thumb extended upward, then twist/shake the wrist.

Sign ONE then the letter C. The C-hand represents "century" or hundred.

Tap your thumb on your chin twice with an open hand (fingers spread). The chin area represents the female/mother reference point.

Tap your thumb on your forehead twice with an open hand (fingers spread). The forehead area represents the male/father reference point.

Hold your dominant hand flat, palm facing down, at about waist height. Move it up and down slightly, as if indicating the height of a small person.

Sign MALE (thumb on forehead) then bring both index fingers together side by side, indicating a same-level family relationship.

Sign FEMALE (thumb on chin) then bring both index fingers together side by side, indicating a same-level family relationship.

Cradle your arms in front of your body as if holding a baby, and rock them gently side to side.

Both hands form F-hands (thumb and index touching, others extended). Start with hands together in front, then circle them outward and bring them back together, forming a circle representing the family unit.

Bring your flattened O-hand (fingertips and thumb together) to your mouth repeatedly, as if putting food in your mouth.

Form a C-hand as if holding a cup and tilt it toward your mouth, mimicking the action of drinking.

Make a W-hand (three fingers extended) and tap the index finger to your chin twice.

Cup both hands together, palms up, as if holding a mound of rice. Wiggle the fingers slightly to suggest grains.

Hold your non-dominant hand flat (representing a loaf) and use the dominant hand to make slicing motions across it.

Hold your dominant hand flat with fingers together, palm facing sideways. Move it forward in a wavy motion, mimicking a fish swimming.

Use your dominant index finger to draw a cross (+) on your upper arm, representing the medical cross symbol.

Tap the wrist of your non-dominant hand with the fingertips of your dominant hand, as if taking a pulse. Then sign PERSON.

Use the middle finger of your dominant hand to make a small circular motion on the upturned palm of your non-dominant hand, as if grinding medicine.

Place your dominant middle finger on your forehead and your non-dominant middle finger on your stomach. Both hands use the 5-handshape with the middle finger bent.

Point both index fingers toward each other and twist them in opposite directions near the area of pain. Accompanied by a pained facial expression.

Place your dominant fist (thumb up) on the flat palm of your non-dominant hand. Lift both hands upward together.

Clap your flat hands together twice, as if a teacher clapping for attention. The motion is parallel and rhythmic.

Hold both flat hands near your temples, palms facing each other, and move them forward twice (as if presenting knowledge). Then sign PERSON.

Hold your non-dominant flat hand palm-up (representing a book), and with your dominant hand, pick up information from it and bring it to your forehead (absorbing knowledge).

Place both flat hands together (palms touching, like a closed book), then open them outward as if opening a book.

Hold your non-dominant hand flat, palm up. With your dominant hand, pick up from the flat palm and bring fingertips to your forehead, as if putting knowledge into your head.

Pinch your dominant thumb and index finger together (as if holding a pen) and make a writing motion across the flat palm of your non-dominant hand.

Point both flat hands downward in front of your body and lower them slightly, indicating the present moment — "right here, right now."

Touch your thumb to your chin with the A-hand, then move it forward and slightly upward, pointing toward the future.

Touch your thumb to your chin with the A-hand, then move it backward over your shoulder, pointing to the past.

Rest your non-dominant arm horizontally (the horizon). Place your dominant flat hand in the crook of the elbow and raise it upward, representing the rising sun.

Rest your non-dominant arm horizontally. Bend your dominant hand over it at the wrist, curving the fingers downward like the sun setting below the horizon.

Brush your flat hand upward on your chest repeatedly (2 times). The upward movement represents positive feelings rising.

Hold both open hands in front of your face, palms inward, then draw them downward while letting your expression droop. The downward motion mirrors falling spirits.

Hold your hand open in front of your face (claw-like, fingers bent) and pull it away forcefully. Use an intense facial expression.

Cross both fists over your chest (arms crossed), as if hugging yourself. This represents holding something precious close to your heart.

Both open hands start in front of your body and move toward each other with a shaking motion, as if trembling with fear. Use a frightened expression.

Point both index fingers forward and move them away from your body in an arc. The motion indicates moving away or departing.

Point both index fingers toward yourself and beckon them inward. The motion indicates approaching or arriving.

Make fists with both hands. Tap the dominant fist on top of the non-dominant fist twice, like hammering. Represents productive labour.

Place your open hand against the side of your face (like a pillow) and tilt your head toward it. Close your eyes briefly.

Hold both hands flat, palms down. Alternate moving them forward in a walking motion, mimicking feet stepping.

Hold your flat O-hand (fingertips together) near your body, then move it forward toward the person you're addressing, opening the fingers as you extend.

Touch your fingertips together (flat O-hand) at your cheek near your mouth, then move the hand up to your temple area. Represents where you eat and sleep.

Hold both flat O-hands in front of your body, then rotate them forward repeatedly at the wrists, as if exchanging goods. Represents buying and selling.

Place the thumb of your dominant C-hand on the back of your non-dominant fist, then tap twice. The C represents the church structure on a foundation.

Fingerspell G-H-A-N-A, or use the established GSL name sign: a G-hand that taps the chest.

Touch your index finger to your lower lip, then draw it downward. The lip reference relates to the red colour of the lips.

Draw your index finger across your forehead from one side to the other, as if indicating a dark line.

Place your open hand on your chest, then pull it away while closing the fingers, as if pulling out whiteness.

Make the G-handshape and shake it slightly. The initialized sign uses the first letter of the English word.

Make the Y-handshape (pinky and thumb extended) and shake it. Another initialized sign.

Hold both hands out, palms up, and shake them slightly side to side. Use a questioning facial expression (eyebrows raised).

Point your index finger and wave it side to side. Eyebrows are furrowed (WH-question expression).

Point your index finger forward and draw a small circle with it. Eyebrows are furrowed.

Hold your non-dominant index finger upright. Circle the tip of your dominant index finger around it, then land on the tip. Eyebrows furrowed.

Touch your forehead with your middle finger, then bring the hand forward, changing to a Y-handshape. Eyebrows furrowed.

Place both fists together (knuckles touching), then twist them outward so palms face up. Raised eyebrows.

Make a fist (S-hand) and nod it forward, as if the fist is a head nodding yes.

Extend your index and middle fingers and snap them shut against your thumb, like a mouth closing. Repeat once.

Tap the back of your flat non-dominant hand with your dominant flat O-hand (fingertips together), as if placing coins.

Extend your thumb and pinky from a fist (Y-hand), hold it to your ear like a telephone receiver.

Hold both hands up as if gripping a steering wheel, and move them as if turning the wheel.

Brush both open hands downward on your chest repeatedly, as if smoothing your clothing.

Hold both B-hands side by side, palms facing out, then swing one of them open to the side (like a door opening on a hinge).