\nPalm orientation: Base palm faces up throughout<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
STEP BY STEP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to form the sign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HELP is a two-handed sign, and the order you build it in matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Form your handsMake a thumbs-up (A-handshape) with your dominant hand. Hold your non-dominant hand flat and open, palm facing up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rest the fist on the palmPlace your dominant fist, thumb pointing up, directly on the center of your flat palm \u2014 like your palm is a small platform.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lift both hands togetherRaise both hands upward in one smooth motion, as if you’re physically lifting or boosting something into the air. The fist never leaves the palm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Add direction and expressionMove the whole sign toward the person you’re helping, or pull it toward your own chest to mean “help me.” Raise your eyebrows to turn it into a question.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
DIRECTIONAL VERB<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HELP changes direction, not shape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ASL uses space grammatically. The handshape for HELP never changes \u2014 only where you move it and who it moves toward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Offering help<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ll help you”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Form the sign in front of your chest, then move it outward toward the person you’re offering to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Requesting help<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Help me”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Form the sign further out, then pull it inward toward your own chest to indicate the help is directed at you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asking a question<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Do you need help?”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sign HELP toward the other person while raising your eyebrows and tilting your head slightly \u2014 no separate question sign needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IN CONTEXT<\/p>\n\n\n\n