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BYUFanatic. (2007, November 22). US States Signs (Version 2).This video covers all of the references (signs and fingerspelling) for the 50 states currently known by the author (me). I picked up these signs from a number of varying sources (including residents scattered across the US). If you see a sign as incorrect, or if you are aware of additional signs not used in this video, please let me know and I'll add it in the future!

Alabama

A-L-A.

Alaska

(1) [A], PO away, FO up, draws thumb across the top of the head > DS and slides down the side of the head while changing to a [4]. For a similar animation, see

ASL Pro: Alaska.

(2) [4], PO away, FO up, slides down the side of the head. (3) A-K.

Arizona

(1) A-DRY, that is [A], PO > NDS, is drawn across chin > DS. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Arizona

. (3) [A], PO > NDS, FO up, slides down ND of mouth, then DS. (3) A-R-I-Z. (4) A-Z.

Phoenix

[P], PO down, moves > DS, then down while changing to [X], like the shape of a "7". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - Phoenix.

Arkansas

A-R-K.

California

(1) [ILY] touches index finger to earlobe and twists while travelling downward and closing to [Y]. For an animated gif of this sign, see

American Sign Language browser - California.

(2) [ILY] flicks index finger against earlobe. (3) [open 8] touches middle finger to earlobe and twists away. (4) [ILY] touches index finger to earlobe and twists while travelling downward. (5) C-A-L.

Los Angeles

L-A.

Colorado

(1) COLOR + D-O. (2) [C], PO away, FO up, moves in upward arcs along the horizontal ND arm while tapping against it. (< the mountainous landscape.) (3) C-O-L-O.

Connecticut

C-O-N-N.

Delaware

(1) D-E-L. (2) D-FIRST.

District of Columbia

D-C.

Washington

FTs of [W], touch shoulder then circles while moving forward + D-C. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Washington, D.C.

.

Florida

(1) F-L-A. (2) F-L-A in a small circular motion. (3) F-TAN, that is [F], PO away, FO up, ravels down check.

Georgia

G-A.

Atlanta

(1) [A], touches thumb to NDS shoulder blade, then DS. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Atlanta

. (2) [A] touches palm to NDS shoulder, then DS waist.

Hawaii

[H], PO towards, circles face. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Hawaii

. (2) (2h)[B], POs down, FOs > NDS are both held on NDS and wave as in the hula, then both hands move to DS and perform the symmetric movement. (3) H-A-W-A-I-I with PO > signer. (4) H-I.

Idaho

(1) I-D-A-H-O. (2) POTATO, that is, [V:], PO down, circles around [S], PO down, then strikes. (3) I-D-A.

Illinois

I-L-L.

Chicago

[C], PO away, moves > DS, then down, like the shape of a "7". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Chicago

.

Indiana

(1) [I], PO down, moves > DS, then down, like the shape of a "7". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Indiana

. (2) [F] touches FT to cheek and face several times while ascending slightly. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - Native American. (< "Indian".) (3) I-N-D.

Indianapolis

(1) [F] touches FT to cheek and face several times while ascending slightly. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - Native American. (2) [I], PO down, FO away. moves > DS and then down like a "7".

Iowa

I-O-W-A.

Kansas

(1) K-S. (2) K-A-N-S-A-S. (3) K-A-N. (4) K-A-N-S.

Kentucky

K-Y.

Louisianna

(1) L-A. (2) [L] touches NDS shoulder, then changes to an [A] and touches DS waist.

New Orleans

[O], PO away, nods while brushing [B], PO > DS. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - New Orleans

.

Maine

(1) M-A-I-N-E. (2) [F] touches DS shoulder and then pulls away. (3) [F] taps DS shoulder. (4) [F] runs down chest from shoulder several times with a small movement. (< suspenders?)

Maryland

M-D.

Baltimore

[B], PO > NDS, FO away, moves down slightly, then hops > DS. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Baltimore

.

Massachusetts

M-A-S-S.

Boston

[B], PO away from signer, moves > DS then descends. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Boston

.

Michigan

(1) M-I-C-H. (2) DH [1] traces tje outline of NDH [B], PO away, FO up. (< shape of lower peninsula.) (3) NDH [B modified by holding thumb against side of hand but not against palm], PO > signer, FO > DS, is held above DH [B], PO > signer, FO up, like a map of the upper and lower peninsulas.

Detroit

[D], PO away, moves > DS, then down, like the shape of a "7". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Detroit

.

Minnesota

M-I-N-N.

Mississippi

M-I-S-S.

Missouri

M-O.

Montana

(1) Use both (2h)[M], POs away, FOs up, to draw an "M", begin at the bottom of the "v" in the letter M, go diagonally then go straight down. (2) (2h)[M], POs away, FOs up, touch FTs then separate and descend. (< the squared-off shape of the state.) (3) M-O-N-T.

Nebraska

N-E-B.

Nevada

(1) N-E-V. (2) N-V. (3) N-PROGRAM. (4) N,V-PROGRAM.

New Hampshire

N-H.

New Jersey

N-J.

New Mexico

(1) N-M. (2) NEW MEXICO, where the scond sign is an [B' that brushes against DS corner of mouth.

New York

(1) [Y], PO down, slides back and forth 2x on NDH [B], PO up. (< the sign NEW and the handshape [Y].) For an animated gif of this sign, see

American Sign Language browser - New York.

(2) [ILY], PO down, slides back and forth 2x on NDH [B], PO up.

Buffalo

[Y] is held with palm to forehead and twists at wrist while maintaining contact. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - Buffalo N.Y..

Manhattan

DH [Y], rubs palm 2x against [B], PO up, mouth "Manhattan". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - Manhattan.

New York (City)

DH [Y], rubs palm 2x against [B], PO up. For an animated gif of this sign, see American Sign Language browser - New York.

North Carolina

(1) N-C. (2) NORTH C.

North Dakota

(1) N-D. (2) NORTH D.

Ohio

O-H-I-O.

Oklahoma

(1) O-K-L-A. (2) O-K.

Oregon

(1) "O". (2) O-WASHINGTON. Not in favor. (3) O-R. (4) O-R-E. (5) O-R-E-G-O-N.

Pennsylvania

(1) P-A. (2) P-E-N-N.

Philadelphia

[P], PO down, moves > DS, then down, like the shape of a "7". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Philadelphia

.

Pittsburgh

FT of [F] strokes downward twice on DS of chest. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - Pittsburgh.

Rhode Island

R-I.

South Carolina

(1) S-C. (2) SOUTH C.

South Dakota

(1) S-D. (2) SOUTH D.

Tennessee

T-E-N-N.

Texas

(1) [X], PO away, moves > DS, then down, like the shape of a "7". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Texas

. (2) T-E-X.

Dallas

[D] taps thumside of FT against temple. For a video of this sign, see asl101/gifs-animated/dallas.gif.

Houston

[H] taps thumbside of FT against DS of chin. To see a series of stills of this sign, go to "houston" ASL American Sign Language.

Utah

U-T-A-H.

Vermont

V-T.

Virginia

V-A.

Washington

(1) [W] touches FT to shoulder and then spirals forward. (< George Washington's epaulets.) For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see

ASL browser - Washington

. (2) W-A-S-H.

Seattle

"S".

West Virginia

(1) W-V. (2) WEST V.

Wisconsin

(1) W-I-S. (2) W-I-S-C.

Wyoming

(1) W-Y-O. (2) W-Y. (3) (2h)[W], POs away, FOs up, touch FTs then separate, change to (2h)[Y] and descend. (< the squared-off shape of the state.)

---

List of sources cited
Kelly-Jones, N. and Hamilton, H. (1981). Signs everywhere. Los Alamitos, CA: Modern Signs Press, Inc.

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