Sign for -AL Suffix in ASL
Quick answer: The -AL suffix in ASL is fingerspelled A-L. It is used when showing the English ending that means “relating to” or “pertaining to.”
How to Sign -AL in ASL
To show the -AL suffix, fingerspell A-L in neutral signing space. The movement should be steady and clearly connected to the word you are modifying. Avoid pausing too long between the root concept and the suffix so it reads as a single unit.
| Dominant Handshape | A, L |
|---|---|
| Non-Dominant Handshape | N/A |
| Location | Neutral space |
| Palm Orientation | Varies by letter |
| Movement | Fingerspelled sequence |
| Non-Manual Markers | None |
What Does -AL Mean?
In English, -al turns a word into an adjective meaning “related to” or “characterized by.” In ASL, that meaning is usually expressed through context or separate signs, not by attaching a suffix. Fingerspelling A-L is mainly used when you are deliberately showing the English form.
When You’ll Actually See It
You’re most likely to see -AL fingerspelled in classrooms, interpreting settings, or any situation where the structure of an English word matters. It shows up when someone wants to make the connection between a base concept and a descriptive form explicit.
When Not to Use It
In everyday ASL conversation, you would rarely fingerspell -AL. Instead of recreating English word endings, signers typically choose a more direct ASL expression of the idea.
Common Mistakes
- Breaking the suffix away from the base word so it feels disconnected.
- Overusing fingerspelling when a clear ASL sign would be more natural.
- Producing the L unclearly, especially in faster signing.
Example
ASL gloss: PERSON + A-L
English meaning: personal
Responses