Sign Language Basics
How do you sign 'Brother' in ASL?
Wave the dominant hand with fingers curling toward the palm repeatedly, like a casual hand wave, while smiling. An alternative is the standard 'BYE' sign: flat hand starting near the forehead, then bending down and out away from the body.
Form an 'L' handshape with both hands at chest level, then bring the dominant 'L' hand down to meet the non-dominant 'L' hand, interlocking the thumbs and index fingers briefly.
Make a fist with the dominant hand and keep the thumb resting alongside the side of the index finger, not tucked in. The knuckles face forward and the palm faces left (if right-handed), with the back of the hand visible to the addressee.
Tuck the thumb under the first three fingers (index, middle, ring), folding them over the thumb so the pinky stays down; the hand rests with the knuckles facing forward.
Sign Language Basics
How do you sign 'Eat' or 'Food' in ASL?
Tap the back of one hand onto the opposite palm's fingers, as if typing on a keyboard. The dominant hand's fingers wiggle or move across the stationary palm, simulating the motion of pressing computer keys.
Bring your flat dominant hand (fingertips together) to your mouth repeatedly, as if putting food in your mouth. This sign represents both the verb 'eat' and the noun 'food' depending on context.
The sign for 'book' uses both flat hands together with palms facing each other, then opening like a book. It represents the physical object of reading material.
Place the flat, dominant hand over the heart area of the chest, fingers spread slightly, and move the hand in a small circular motion. The face should reflect the emotion being discussed (sad, happy, angry, etc.).
Sign Language Basics
What is the ASL sign for 'water'?
Allow both flat hands to droop downward from the shoulders, palms facing the body, as if the arms are too heavy to lift. The shoulders may also hunch slightly. This sign visually represents exhaustion and lack of energy.
Form a 'W' handshape with the dominant hand (index, middle, and ring fingers extended, thumb holding the pinky) and tap the index finger twice against the chin or lower lip. The movement is light and brief.
Extend the index finger straight up, curl the middle, ring, and pinky fingers down to form a closed circle with the thumb touching the middle finger's side. The index finger points upward while the rest form an 'O' shape.
In ASL, pronouns are often not repeated. A signer may point to a specific signing space location to establish a referent, then refer back to that same location later in the discourse instead of repeating the pronoun.