What is the best known American Sign Language sign? Probably the "I Love You" sign (handshape). It is an easily recognized sign -- made by celebrities and politicians, and often spotted on t-shirts.
Make the I Love You Sign
The sign blends the handshapes for the letters I, L and Y into one handshape. About.com has an example of
how to make the sign. More examples can be found in the
Sign Language Word Reference Guide.
Buy an I Love You Stamp
There were two I Love You stamps produced in late 1993. One showed the I Love You hand and said "American Sign Language." Another had a mother saying "I Love You" and had the words "Recognizing Deafness." You can buy the stamps on Ebay or through postage stamp dealers.
Read I Love You Handshape History
There is a children's book, "The I Love You Story," by Walter Paul Kelley that illustrates the history of the I Love You handshape. It is available through
Harris Communications and was published in March 2004 by Buto Ltd Co.
Get an I Love You Gift
It is not hard to find I Love You sign gifts.
Sign language gift retailers and
deaf and hard-of-hearing product vendors sell all sorts of items with the I Love You insignia.
Modify I Love You Sign
You can say "I Really Love You" by replacing the "L" with the letter "R." Or you can say "I Hate You" by replacing the "L" with the two fingers of the letter "H."
Discuss I Love You Sign
Talk about the I Love You sign on the
forum. Is it American or deaf culture?
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