How to Sign "Age"
To sign 'age', press all the fingertips together. Bring the hand up so the chin is in the hole of the hand. Tighten the fist to squeeze the chin, and bring the hand down a couple of inches.
Examples Using "Age" in a Sentence
1
How old are you?
To ask this, point to the person you are talking to, sign 'age' by pulling down from your chin, and furrow your eyebrows. In ASL, furrowed eyebrows naturally turn the statement into a 'wh-' question, meaning 'How old are you?'
2
I am 25 years old.
Point to yourself with your index finger to indicate 'I' or 'my', sign 'age' by squeezing your chin and pulling down into a fist, and then sign the number 25. The context makes it clear you are stating your own age.
3
We are the same age.
First, sign 'age' at your chin using the standard downward pull. Then, use the 'Y' handshape to sign 'same' by sliding it back and forth between you and the other person. This efficiently communicates that your ages match.
How to Sign "Age"
To sign 'age', press all the fingertips together. Bring the hand up so the chin is in the hole of the hand. Tighten the fist to squeeze the chin, and bring the hand down a couple of inches.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'age' shares its exact movement and location with the ASL sign for 'old'. It visually represents the long, distinguished beard of an elderly, wise person. By gripping an imaginary beard at the chin and pulling it downward, the sign iconically connects the abstract concept of growing older with a highly recognizable physical trait. This visual connection makes it a very easy sign for beginners to remember.
Signing Tips
Focus on the starting handshape and the deliberate downward pull. Make sure your chin rests comfortably in the opening of your hand before you close it into a fist. The downward movement should be short and controlled, only dropping a couple of inches. Avoid pulling all the way down to your chest. Remember to keep your facial expressions engaged; if you are asking someone's age, furrow your eyebrows to indicate a question.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is pulling the hand down way too far, making it look like a massive wizard's beard rather than the standard sign for 'age'. Another common error is forgetting to start with the fingertips open around the chin, instead starting with an already closed fist. Make sure to clearly show the transition from the open grip to the closed fist as you pull down.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Age" in a Sentence
1How old are you?
To ask this, point to the person you are talking to, sign 'age' by pulling down from your chin, and furrow your eyebrows. In ASL, furrowed eyebrows naturally turn the statement into a 'wh-' question, meaning 'How old are you?'
2I am 25 years old.
Point to yourself with your index finger to indicate 'I' or 'my', sign 'age' by squeezing your chin and pulling down into a fist, and then sign the number 25. The context makes it clear you are stating your own age.
3We are the same age.
First, sign 'age' at your chin using the standard downward pull. Then, use the 'Y' handshape to sign 'same' by sliding it back and forth between you and the other person. This efficiently communicates that your ages match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'age' the same as the sign for 'old'?
Yes! In ASL, the sign for 'age' and 'old' are exactly the same. You use the same motion of gripping the chin and pulling down into a fist. The exact meaning is easily understood based on the context of your sentence.
Do I need to touch my chin, or can I just hover my hand?
It is best to actually make light physical contact with your chin when you start the sign. Your chin should rest comfortably in the opening of your fingertips before you squeeze and pull down. Hovering can make the sign look unclear.
How do I ask 'How old are you?' using this sign?
You don't need a separate sign for the word 'how'. Simply point to the person, sign 'age', and furrow your eyebrows. The furrowed eyebrows indicate that you are asking a 'wh-' question, which translates perfectly to 'How old are you?'
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!