ASL Modals - How to Sign Modals Like MUST, SHOULD, CAN, WILL
1. Modals in ASL
Modals are words that are signed along with a
verb.
In ASL some modals are:
• MUST
• SHOULD
• CAN
• WILL
2. Modals can be signed in three different ways…
A modal can be signed before the verb:
• For example:
ASL: MUST GO TO SCHOOL I
English: I must go to school.
A modal can be signed after the noun:
• For example:
ASL: GO TO SCHOOL MUST I
English: I must go to school.
3. A modal can be signed at the beginning and at
the end of the sentence.
• For example:
ASL: MUST GO TO SCHOOL MUST I
English: I must go to school.
*No mater what way you decide to gloss or sign
your modal, the meaning stays the same in
English.
