Arbitrary vs Iconic Signs: What Are They? (ASL)

Here is an explanation of the difference between arbitrary and iconic signs. I will explain what each term means and give some examples. Hope this helps!

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[XxXEmoTaraXxX]

THANK YOU the signing with voice over is much better. I can turn the volume off and work on developing my receptive skills. Please keep it :) 

[Vicki-Z]

I like when you talk, sign, and CC all together.  But I am a hearing person and would rather you do whatever is best for others.

[ashcanelos]

I used this video to learn about iconic and arbitrary signs for my ASL test coming up. This video helped so much, and it was exactly what I needed

[juls_]

I'm learning ASL and I've been using your videos for practice. I then the volume off since I'm HoH and I watch your videos twice. once with no cc to try to see if I can understand what you're signing and then I watch it again with cc learning words I couldn't figure out. bonus that I love your videos and think you girls are so cute together. I just wish there was a way to slow the speed of YouTube videos. thanks for everything!!!

[dkxxx]

A little tip for new ASL learners: it's helpful to learn basic BSL too cuz every now and again a few BSL signs like 'I don't know' get mixed into ASL signing and it's good to still know what's being said

[xxshevilxx]

Your signing like you are is exactly why I started watching your channel. It give me the opportunity so see ASL used conversationally. It's fun that I'm able to pick up as much as I am already. :)

[Bowie]

I am hearing and I am learning ASL for various reasons. I think having you sign with CC is most helpful for me. I mute the sound so I didn't even know you had a voice over. It's a good immersion into visual, whether it be signs or words. I know other people learn differently than I do, so I definitely can't speak for others, but my vote is for signing and CC.

[thinkitmakeit]

i much, much prefer you signing. Your videos and signing are crystal clear and easy for everyone to follow along. Also, thank you for this specific topic!!! You've been so helpful. Wonderful ASL!

[courtneytrent]

I am not hearing impaired, but I have been interested in learning ASL for some time. For the past 5 years I have taught my kindergarten students 26 words from our alphabet chart from apple to zipper, and some other words like focus and bathroom. It's not part of the curriculum, but I think it will increase their sensitivity to the hearing impaired while also increasing their cognition.

[dulongkel]

First I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your ASL videos! I took ASL 1 & 2 10 years ago when my first child was a baby. Then life got busy and continuing on through college wasn't an option. I still like to keep my skills fresh through YouTube, but searches usually produce signing-only videos, or students signing very basic ASL....until now, when I found your videos. I learned the term "voicing" last week and that changed what content showed up in a search.

Since you are asking, I'd love to share my opinion on how I prefer to watch your videos. I do like it when you sign more. I like the videos with Jenna the best because you are talking to her (and us) while signing. You tend to speak and sign the same words at the same time in those videos. The voice-over videos are great also, but the words don't always match up as well as when you're speaking directly to us, so I pick up on fewer new words. Thanks for all you are doing!!!

[daniellefisher]

This video is  a godsend.  I am studying Psychology and in particular language and signing.  My course doesn't explain the difference between arbitrary and iconic and internet search was super involved.  Thanks for simple and easy to follow definition.

[geoferret]

I have been attending a basic ASL class in college this semester, I am hearing but want to learn ASL since my major is Hearing Instrument Specialist. Thank you for posting this video, it was very helpful in understanding the difference between Arbitrary and Iconic signs. I am now a subscriber and eager to watch and learn more from you!

[eliasarsalazar]

THANK YOU!!! It helps me to understand better! I'm a deaf graduate student from Lamar University! Thank you again!

[freddohobbiescrafts]

this is why i love youtube. priceless. thank you.

[louietoro]

This video was so cool. I'm still catching up on all your vids, but yes I prefer you sign and voice because it's, well, it was the real reason I started watching your vids. That originally caught my attention and it's working. Especially, the receptive skills, so thx for that. So now though, I'm just hooked on your vids, whether you sign/voice or not or not sign at all, ha. I think you guys are cool peeps, and sometimes comical. I live in PR and in ten years here I've only met two deaf persons and that was just recently. Anyways thx again Stews.

[whackmeyer]

Thank you very much for this explanation. It was clear and concise.

[allisonpressley]

This video saved my behind! Thank you!

[DanielVieu]

I think leaving out the issue of CL leaves this video wanting. I would have liked to see you mention the difference between iconic signs and classifiers.

[kataya]

I definitely prefer the signed videos. Thank you

[Yomasonicyou]

I think you should be signing, not speaking. After all, this channel is about ASL. And it helps me improve:)