asl

Everyday

1. ASL stands for American Sign Language, the language of hand signs, faces and body movements used by many Deaf people in the USA and parts of Canada. tree →
2. (internet slang) «asl» is an old chat question meaning «age, sex, location?» — strangers online use it to find out about you. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons about languages and inclusion, ASL is a real language with its own grammar, different from British Sign Language (BSL) and Auslan in Australia. In online safety lessons: if a stranger in a chat asks «asl?», do not answer, and tell a trusted adult — never share your age, where you live or personal details.

Examples

• She is learning ASL to talk with her deaf cousin. tree →
• ASL has its own grammar, not the same as English. tree →
• In ASL, you can spell names with finger signs. tree →
• British Sign Language is different from ASL. tree →
• A stranger typed «asl?» in the game chat, so I told my mum. tree →
• Never tell strangers online your age or where you live. tree →

Note

Abbreviation, not a word. Write ASL in capitals for the language. Sign languages are not the same in every country: the UK uses BSL, Australia Auslan, New Zealand NZSL. «Deaf» with a capital D means the Deaf community.