American Sign Language: "pencil" Historical note: Waaaaay back in the old days, us old folks used to use something called "pencils" to write on something called "paper." I sign PENCIL by forming my hand into a handshape that looks like I'm holding a pencil in my right hand. I start the sign holding my hand near my mouth. Then I bring my right hand down near the palm of my left hand and make a writing movement across the palm and fingers of the left hand. So, this sign is loosely based on the concept of licking the pencil lead and then writing. (In the old days, apparently, people used to lick the lead to get pencils to write better. Don't try this at home folks.) Note: You don't actually lick anything in this sign, the hand merely comes "near" the mouth. PENCIL (version 1) This sign relies on context. You could also just sign: "YOU HAVE WRITE?" To mean, "Do you have a pencil or pen?" Some people do the sign PENCIL with a "P" handshape, (this is called "initialization). I don't think that is necessary for this sign. PENCIL (version 2) (Not recommended) Note: Even though I don't recommend using the initialized sign (above) sign to mean "pencil," that sign is a terrific version of the sign for SECRETARY! By the way, the concept of "PEN" is commonly just fingerspelled. You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!) (You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.) Another way to help is to buy Dr. Bill's "Superdisk." Dr. Bill's new iPhone "Fingerspelling Practice" app is now available! CHECK IT OUT > Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT > Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language: "pencil"

Historical note: Waaaaay back in the old days, us old folks used to use something called "pencils" to write on something called "paper."

I sign PENCIL by forming my hand into a handshape that looks like I'm holding a pencil in my right hand. I start the sign holding my hand near my mouth. Then I bring my right hand down near the palm of my left hand and make a writing movement across the palm and fingers of the left hand. So, this sign is loosely based on the concept of licking the pencil lead and then writing. (In the old days, apparently, people used to lick the lead to get pencils to write better. Don't try this at home folks.) Note: You don't actually lick anything in this sign, the hand merely comes "near" the mouth.

PENCIL (version 1)

This sign relies on context. You could also just sign: "YOU HAVE WRITE?" To mean, "Do you have a pencil or pen?"

Some people do the sign PENCIL with a "P" handshape, (this is called "initialization). I don't think that is necessary for this sign.

PENCIL (version 2) (Not recommended)

Note: Even though I don't recommend using the initialized sign (above) sign to mean "pencil," that sign is a terrific version of the sign for SECRETARY!

By the way, the concept of "PEN" is commonly just fingerspelled.

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

Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!)
(You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.)

Another way to help is to buy Dr. Bill's "Superdisk."

Dr. Bill's new iPhone "Fingerspelling Practice" app is now available! CHECK IT OUT >

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

Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language University ™