ASL Lessons | Bookstore | Library | ASL University Main ►


FOOT: The American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "foot"
 


Anna writes:
Can you please add a sign for "foot" (part of the body) to your list of 
signs. I am totally confused trying to find it. Some dictionaries tell 
you to point down to your feet, some move middle finger of right hand up 
and down left open hand, some are even worse (like on 
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm they tell you to 
take your foot into your hands if I understand them correctly).

 

Hello Anna,

Regarding the sign for foot:
Yes, I'll add that to my list of signs. I'll keep your email active on my list as a reminder to get around to it.

In context you can "point at your foot" to mean foot. For example, if you were talking about shoes (which has a well established sign) or walking, or standing--and then did a short (couple inches), quick (jab) movement pointing at first one foot then the other, that would mean "feet."

On first reference the concept of "foot" is often just "fingerspelled."

When used with numbers it is abbreviated to the fingerspelled "FT" or left out altogether. Example, if we have already "ME 5 10" would mean, I'm five foot 10.

In a medical context or a context in which I needed to go into detail about a foot, after introducing the concept (by fingerspelling or pointing or by showing a PowerPoint slide, <grin>) I would use my left flat-hand (sort of like a b-hand but the thumb alongside rather than crossed over the palm). I'd bend the left wrist so that the palm of my left flat-hand was parallel to the floor. My left arm and hand (from the elbow to the fingertips)  are used to represent a lower-calf, ankle, and foot. I could then point at my wrist to refer to an ankle. I could point at or rub my palm to represent the sole of my foot. I could point at one of my fingers to represent a particular toe. You get the picture eh? I could also slip a right "c"-hand over the fingers of the left hand to represent "slippers." (double movement meaning slipper or slippers as a noun, single movement meaning "put on slipper.") I could hook a right index finger X-handshape between the index finger and middle finger of the left hand to represent "sandals."

Now, I also understand what you were saying about using the finger to outline the foot.  If I just wanted to sign "foot" I could use the sign below with the left hand representing the foot. Imagine the foot is on a piece of paper and you are going to draw a line around the foot with a pencil.  Use your right index finger to represent the pencil and "outline" the foot.

 


 

FOOT:

 


 

FEET:
 

 


 

FEET (ft):

 

 

5'7

 

 



Notes: 

See: BODY

See: SHOES

See: INCH

See: OUNCE

See: MEASURE




*  Want to help support ASL University?  It's easy
DONATE  (Thanks!)

Another way to help is to buy something from Dr. Bill's "Bookstore."


Want even more ASL resources?  Visit the "ASL Training Center!"  (Subscription Extension of ASLU)  

*  Also check out Dr. Bill's channel: www.youtube.com/billvicars
 


You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ 
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com  ©  Dr. William Vicars