If you are new to Cued Speech, begin with the relationship between the hand and mouth. The goal is not to memorize a hand sign for every word: it is to understand how visual components work together to distinguish the sounds of a language.
Three elements that work together
1. Handshape
A consonant handshape groups several sounds. Handshape 1, for example, includes /d/, /p/, and /zh/.
Explore the eight handshapes →2. Placement or movement
Vowel information is represented with locations and movements near the face. The mouth placement includes /ee/ as in “eat” and /ur/ as in “her”.
Explore vowel placements →3. Mouth information
Mouth movements help distinguish the sounds represented by a manual pairing. Reading only the hand leaves information out.
Understand a complete cue →A beginner’s route through the site
- Read the foundations. Learn what each component contributes before trying to recall its sound groups.
- Compare sounds. Notice why /p/, /b/, and /m/ use different handshapes even though their visible mouth patterns can be similar.
- Explore familiar words. In the word builder, compare spelling with the displayed pronunciation. Choose the intended pronunciation when alternatives are available.
- Practice a little, then return. Use recognition, matching, and review to strengthen recall. Keep knowledge checks separate from physical coordination.
Common questions about learning Cued Speech
What is Cued Speech?
Cued Speech is a visual system that combines handshapes, placements or movements, and mouth information to make the sounds of a spoken language visually distinct. A handshape alone is not a complete cue.
What does this site mean by Cued American English?
Cued Speech is adapted to particular spoken languages. CueGotThis focuses on American English. The sound groupings, example words, and illustrations on this site follow that system.
Is Cued Speech the same as American Sign Language?
No. American Sign Language is a language with its own vocabulary and grammar. Cued Speech visually represents the sounds of a spoken language. Learning one does not mean you have learned the other.
Do cues follow the letters in a word?
Cues follow sounds, not spelling. For example, the first sound in “phone” is /f/, while the final /ng/ in “young” is one consonant sound despite its two letters.
How many handshapes are there for American English?
The American English system uses eight consonant handshapes. Each groups several sounds. Placements, movements, and mouth information contribute to the full cue.
How can I begin learning Cued Speech?
Start with the complete visual message, then learn the handshape groups and vowel references. Use worked examples before independent questions. Practice recognition and recall, and distinguish that knowledge from physical cueing coordination.
Can I use the site without listening to audio?
The lessons and knowledge activities here use text and visual references rather than audio prompts. Mouth information remains part of the complete Cued Speech message; a correct quiz answer does not demonstrate coordinated cueing.
Where should I start on CueGotThis?
Choose the beginner learning path for a sequence of twelve lessons. Use the handshape and vowel pages as references, the word builder for familiar words, and the practice studio to revisit what you have learned.
Ready to begin?
Start with a short introduction to handshape, placement, and mouth information.
Read the first lesson →