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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/12163
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I am writing a story in which one of the main characters is Deaf, and therefore communicates with other leads using sign language. Not being a native speaker of English, I am having trouble with coming up the appropriate way to remind the reader that the characters are communicating using sign language. Here are a few examples I have thought of:

    "How was your school today?" Anna signed to Emily. "What did you learn?"
    
    "I can draw a butterfly now." Emily signed back with enthusiasm.
    
    "We will go to the park tomorrow and chase a lot of butterflies." Anna signed Emily.

Is it correct to use `Anna signed to Emily`, `Emily signed back` and `Anna signed Emily`? Are there better ways to phrase this?

Also, once the plot is set and the readers made aware that these two characters always use sign language to communicate, I am thinking of dropping the reference to sign language, and maybe mention it once in a while to remind the reader.

I would like to hear what native speakers think about this approach. Any tips/suggestions are very much welcome.

Original score: 4