# German Sign Language (DGS)

> Counting starts on the thumb — a habit you will have to unlearn.

- Region: Germany
- Alphabet: one-handed alphabet
- Signs taught: 10
- Lessons: 14
- Graded movement: none — handshape only
- Course page: https://signlingo.khe.money/dictionary/dgs

## What this course covers

A starter course: thumb-first counting to five and five shared letters.

## About the language

DGS became a legally recognised language in Germany in 2002, and is unrelated to ASL despite Europe being ASL’s ancestral home.

## Signs

### 1

Thumb up on its own, fingers closed.

### 2

Thumb and index finger out.

### 3

Thumb, index and middle fingers out.

### 4

Four fingers up, thumb folded in.

### 5

Open hand, all five fingers spread.

### A

A closed fist with your thumb straight up the side.

### B

Four fingers straight and together, thumb folded flat across the palm.

### C

Fingers and thumb curved into a C, palm turned to the side.

### L

Index up, thumb straight out to the side at a right angle.

### O

All fingers curve down to meet the thumb in a round O.

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