Essential ASL Pronouns

Why This Matters

ASL pronouns work fundamentally differently from English pronouns—and that difference is exactly what you're being tested on. While English relies on word choice to distinguish "I" from "you" from "they," ASL uses spatial referencing, meaning pronouns are physically located in the signing space around you. Understanding this system demonstrates your grasp of core ASL principles: visual-spatial grammar, indexing, non-manual markers, and the role of physical space in conveying meaning.

Don't just memorize how to point—know why ASL organizes pronouns this way. Every pronoun you learn reinforces the concept that ASL is a three-dimensional language where location carries grammatical meaning. When you establish where someone "is" in your signing space, you can refer back to that location throughout a conversation. Master this, and you'll understand one of the most elegant features of ASL grammar.

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Personal Pronouns: Indexing in Space

Personal pronouns in ASL use indexing—pointing to specific locations to identify people. The direction and target of your point determines the pronoun's meaning, making spatial awareness critical.

I/ME

• Point to your chest—this is the most basic and consistent pronoun in ASL, always referring to the signer
• Context determines emphasis—a firm point can add stress, similar to saying "I did it" vs. "I did it" in English
• Foundation for all other pronouns—understanding self-reference helps you grasp how ASL builds outward into signing space

YOU

• Point directly at the person you're addressing—palm orientation typically faces the listener
• Singular vs. plural depends on movement—pointing to one person means "you," sweeping across multiple people means "you all"
• Eye gaze reinforces meaning—looking at the person while signing strengthens clarity and grammatical correctness

HE/SHE/IT

• Point to an established location in signing space—ASL doesn't grammatically distinguish gender in third-person pronouns
• "Setting up" referents is essential—before using this pronoun, you typically establish where a person or thing "exists" in your signing space
• Same sign for people and objects—context and prior reference determine whether you mean a person or thing

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Plural Pronouns: Expanding the Space

Plural pronouns extend the indexing system by incorporating movement across the signing space. The sweep or arc of your hand indicates inclusion of multiple referents.

WE/US

• Sweeping motion from yourself outward—typically moves from your chest toward the group being included
• Inclusive vs. exclusive "we"—the direction and scope of your sweep can clarify exactly who is included
• Establishes collective identity—used when the signer is part of the group being referenced

THEY/THEM

• Point or sweep toward a group not including yourself—the location should already be established in signing space
• Can reference present or absent groups—once you've set up where "they" are located, you return to that spot
• Animate and inanimate subjects both work—the same spatial reference applies to people, animals, or objects

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Possessive Pronouns: Flat Hand Orientation

Possessive pronouns shift from pointing to using a flat hand (B-handshape), with palm orientation indicating who possesses what. This handshape change signals the grammatical shift from subject/object to possession.

MY/MINE

• Flat hand placed on chest—palm touches or faces your body to indicate self-possession
• Distinct from I/ME—the flat hand (not pointing) signals possession rather than subject reference
• Can be emphasized with facial expression—raised eyebrows or a firm placement can stress ownership

YOUR/YOURS

• Flat hand with palm facing the listener—the orientation toward the other person indicates their possession
• Movement toward the person clarifies meaning—a slight push in their direction reinforces "yours"
• Same hand orientation principles apply—palm direction consistently indicates the possessor throughout ASL

HIS/HER/ITS

• Flat hand oriented toward the established third-person location—palm faces where you previously set up the referent
• No grammatical gender distinction—like HE/SHE/IT, context determines the specific meaning
• Requires prior spatial setup—you must establish where the "owner" is located before indicating their possession

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Plural Possessives: Combining Movement and Orientation

Plural possessives combine the flat-hand possessive marker with the sweeping movements of plural pronouns. The same spatial principles apply, just with expanded scope.

OUR/OURS

• Flat hand starts at chest and arcs outward—the movement mirrors WE/US but uses the possessive handshape
• Arc direction indicates who's included—a full sweep suggests a larger group, a smaller arc a more intimate one
• Emphasizes shared ownership—useful for expressing collective possession of ideas, spaces, or objects

THEIR/THEIRS

• Flat hand sweeps across the established group location—palm orientation faces the area where "they" were set up
• Maintains spatial consistency—returns to the same location used for THEY/THEM
• Can reference multiple possessors—the sweep indicates the group collectively owns something

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. What handshape distinguishes possessive pronouns (MY, YOUR, THEIR) from personal pronouns (I, YOU, THEY)?

2. Compare WE/US and THEY/THEM—what spatial feature indicates whether the signer is included in the group?

3. If you needed to sign "her book" about someone you mentioned earlier in conversation, what must you do before using the possessive pronoun?

4. How does ASL distinguish between YOUR/YOURS (singular) and YOUR/YOURS (plural) when the handshape is the same?

5. Explain why MY/MINE and YOUR/YOURS use the same handshape but different palm orientations. What grammatical principle does this demonstrate about how ASL conveys meaning?