Sign language is a visual language and so using an iPhone to learn works quite well. It's amazing how fast you can pick up simple signs when you can watch the sign being shown through illustration or video. Even parents are learning and teaching their babies how to sign using some of these sign language apps. Whether you want to learn sign language so you can communicate with someone who already uses the language, or just for interest's sake, check out our list of the best iPhone apps for learning sign language.
The best iPhone apps for learning sign language
13 Apr 2021, by Cherry Mae Torrevillas
This baby sign dictionary app is free to allow you an opportunity to sample the many features and to try a few signs with your child. Then, if you would like to continue, please consider buying the full version which contains approx. 340 signs and over 1 hour of video instruction. This ASL app includes 40 real-life signing video demonstrations! The friendly presenters in the 'ASL dictionary by Baby Sign and Learn' app will help you to learn to sign with your baby in an engaging and enjoyable way.
- Detailed video tutorial covering information
- Signs are organized into categories
- Test your baby signing knowledge
- High quality graphics and videos optimized for viewing on Retina displays
- Optional setting to view a simplified demonstration for a sign rather than the complete tutorial
The ASL App is made by Deaf people for you! Learn conversational ASL right now, on the go, with all phrases and signs organized to make it easy for you to learn. The ASL App is designed to help you learn a new visual language in a way that is easy, intuitive, and well paced. You can drag your finger on the videos to control the speed - totally at your pace. There is a search index (when you need to know a sign right away), slow-motion option, info (tips), and a favorites folder.
- Know Your ABCs - Learn the ASL alphabet (included, FREE!)
- Know Your Numbers - Learn all the numbers (included, FREE!)
- Universal Gestures - Review what you already know (included, FREE!)
- Handshape Exercises - Warm up your hands, and get used to the different handshape positions. Get your muscles to become fluently aware. (included, FREE!)
- The Basics! A good way to get started! (included, FREE!)
- More Basic Signs!
Let Marlee Signs teach you American Sign Language! Marlee Matlin is an Academy Award winning actress and also happens to be Deaf. You'll learn the fundamentals of ASL including the signed alphabet and basic vocabulary via video demonstrations featuring Ms Matlin. You will learn at your own pace with the lessons broken into individual videos. Use the Slow Motion setting to watch in detail, and pick up where you left off. Want to know how to finger spell a word? Type it in using the Spell section and Marlee will spell it for you.
- Learn from Marlee Matlin herself
- High-definition videos
- Learn at your own pace
- Slow Motion setting
- First lesson pack is free, buy more with in-app purchases
3Strike American Sign Language Fingerspelling will help you improve your fingerspelling using sign language. You will learn how to sign the alphabet through practice so that you can fingerspell words with ease. The app quizzes you on the 26 signs: get three wrong and the game is over. Keep going until you don't get any wrong! Compete with your friends! The app uses simple diagrams to show the signs and you must choose the right one for the word that is shown. You will be able to keep track of how many in a row you have gotten correct. The more you practice, the more your fingerspelling will improve.
3Strike American Sign Language Fingerspelling app review
- Practice signing the alphabet
- Fingerspell with ease
- Test yourself
- Get three wrong and the game is over
- Free app for learning sign language
Children communicating in ASL will teach you or your child sign language. The experts here are all between the ages of one and 12, and you will learn common signs from them. All signs shown come with a large image and an audio button that says the word. There are quiz games, 21 free signs, and fingerspelling. An in-app purchase gets you a pack of 87 more signs. There are no ads and no direct links to social networking sites so parents can rest easy knowing this is a safe app for their children to use without adult supervision. Parents can also monitor and control all in-app purchases.
- Learn ASL and Baby Sign from kids
- Experts are all 0 to 12 years old
- 21 free signs
- Quiz games and fingerspelling
- In-app purchase for a new pack of signs
ASL Dictionary is a paid app that offers more than 5,200 signed words. It calls itself the most complete ASL American Sign Language Video Dictionary. The app shows the alphabet, letters, common English words, symbols, and more. If you want to learn an amazing number of signs, this is the app to use. There are 765 words shown that each mean more than one thing, multiple-word signs like “don't want” and “hard of hearing” are taught, and 473 idioms are translated. You will learn dates, months, and years, how to sign the time of day, and common phrases like “You're late.”
- Must-have educational app
- Over 5,200 signed words
- General numbers
- Fingerspelled alphabet
- Symbols and common phrases
ASL Translator app is made up of two parts: the first is a text-to-sign generator and the second is ASL phrases. The first portion translates English text into ASL signs and generates the sentences in “English word order.” Over 30,000 words are translated into Seamless Sign Language Video in real-time. Each signed word transitions smoothly into the next. You can translate entire documents, emails, and even books. You will need an Internet connection for this. Part Two teaches you how to sign ASL idioms and phrases. No Internet is required for this portion of the app. There is no sound with either part of this app.
- Two parts
- Text-to-sign
- How to sign ASL
- Many features in Part One
Learn over 5000 sign language words via video in this great app. There’s 460 multiple ways to sing the same word, 670 multiple meaning words, finger spelling exercises, fingerspell recognition, quizzes, slow motion tool and more. Easily navigate through the videos, paly them all back and create a list of favorites. You can also learn how to sign time, money dates and numbers. Search through the app for specific words or videos. No internet is required.
ASL Dictionary HD American Sign Language app review
- Learn over 5000 sign language words via video
- Videos are easy to navigate, Create a favorites list
- Quizzes, Slow motion playback, Search tool
- Loop videos, Replay them, Playback all
- No Internet is required
This app not only helps to teach users American Sign Language, but it also tests their previous knowledge and learning progress through some simple and fun games. This app will teach you about the history of ASL, the alphabet, numbers, commonly used phrases, 100 basic signs and more. There’s also a section on Facts and Figures of American Sign Language. When done learning, test your level of retention by playing matching games for numbers and letters. More content will be added in the near future. The app is free to use, but does have an in-app purchase to upgrade to the Pro Version.
- Learn how to communicate in American Sign Language
- Learn about the history of ASL, Facts and Figures of ASL
- Learn the alphabet, numbers, common phrases
- Play games to test your level of retention
- In-app purchase to upgrade to the Pro Version
SignSchool is a handy app for those looking to learn American Sign Language. This app has a vast dictionary for users to learn thousands of signs. You can simplify your experience and learn signs based on specific categories, play multiple choice games to reinforce your learning, go at your own pace, view signs with a slow motion feature, improve your signing with the randomized sign generator, learn the sign of the day, stay informed on new content and more. This app is very useful, practical and definitely makes learning ASL an easier process. If you have ever wanted to learn ASL, or need to brush up, then get this app now.
- An effective and convenient way to learn ASL
- Learn thousands of signs from a vast dictionary
- Choose signs based on categories, Learn the Sign of the Day
- Play sign language games to test your learning
- Randomized sign generator, Slow motion feature
