2 . How to Say “Help Me” in American Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is the standard sign language used by the deaf community in the United States. ASL is a means for the deaf to communicate. ASL is not a replication(复制) of English. It is vastly different from British Sign Language (BSL).     1     To sign the phrase “help me” in American Sign Language, use these steps.

★Make the “help” sign. Place the right first on top of the flat left palm（手掌）. Elbows should be slightly out. Raise hands together.     2     Some people do this sign by placing the left fist on the right palm. Do it however your local teachers or deaf friends do it.

★Combine with movement.     3     In this phrase, start the movement toward the person being addressed. If you are talking to someone in front of you and start the sign to your right and bring it nearer to you, it means “He helps me.” If you start the sign near to the other person and bring it toward yourself, it means “You help me.” However, the sign can be made without having to sign each word.

★Add facial expressions. American Sign Language is a visual language.     4     Raised eyebrows, for example, usually convey a question, such as “You help me?” or “Will you help me?” A harsh or frowning expression means importance or urgency, as in “Help me!”

★    5     American Sign Language has an entire alphabet using finger signs. By learning the entire alphabet, an individual can use his/her fingers to spell any word, as in this case “Help!”

★Tips & Warnings: Signing should be comfortable. Hold hands and arms where they are most comfortable; for older people, this may be lower.