Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Born"

To sign 'born', hold your non-dominant arm horizontally across your stomach with the palm facing down. Form a flat handshape with your dominant hand, keeping the palm facing toward your body. Start with your dominant hand resting near your stomach, then move it forward and down, sliding it smoothly underneath your non-dominant arm.

Examples Using "Born" in a Sentence

1

I was born in New York.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', perform the sign for 'born' by sliding your dominant hand under your non-dominant arm, and finish by signing 'New York'. In ASL, you don't need to sign the word 'was'.

2

When were you born?

Start by pointing to the person for 'you', then sign 'born'. Finish with the sign for 'when' while furrowing your eyebrows. Furrowing your eyebrows is crucial here because it signals to the listener that you are asking a 'wh-' question.

3

The baby was born yesterday.

In ASL, it is best to establish the time first. Start with the sign for 'yesterday', then gently rock your arms to sign 'baby', and finally perform the sign for 'born'. This sets up a clear, logical sequence of events.

How to Sign "Born"
To sign 'born', hold your non-dominant arm horizontally across your stomach with the palm facing down. Form a flat handshape with your dominant hand, keeping the palm facing toward your body. Start with your dominant hand resting near your stomach, then move it forward and down, sliding it smoothly underneath your non-dominant arm.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'born' is a wonderful example of how American Sign Language uses visual imagery to convey meaning. This sign is highly iconic, meaning it physically looks like the concept it represents. Your stationary non-dominant arm represents the mother's body or the birth canal. Meanwhile, your moving dominant hand represents the baby emerging into the world. The forward and downward sliding motion perfectly mimics the physical act of a baby being born, making it a very intuitive and memorable sign for beginners to learn.
Signing Tips
When practicing the sign for 'born', focus on creating a smooth, continuous motion with your dominant hand. Your non-dominant arm should remain completely stationary, acting as a stable reference point for the movement. Make sure your dominant hand stays flat and slides cleanly underneath the non-dominant arm, rather than hovering below it. Keeping your posture relaxed and your movements fluid will make the sign look much more natural. Remember to keep your dominant palm facing inward toward your body throughout the entire motion.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make with the sign for 'born' is moving both arms at the same time. Remember that your non-dominant arm must stay still while only the dominant hand moves. Another frequent error is sliding the dominant hand over the top of the non-dominant arm instead of underneath it, which completely changes the visual meaning of the sign. Finally, make sure your dominant palm faces your body; turning it outward or upward will make the sign difficult to understand.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Born" in a Sentence
1

I was born in New York.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', perform the sign for 'born' by sliding your dominant hand under your non-dominant arm, and finish by signing 'New York'. In ASL, you don't need to sign the word 'was'.

2

When were you born?

Start by pointing to the person for 'you', then sign 'born'. Finish with the sign for 'when' while furrowing your eyebrows. Furrowing your eyebrows is crucial here because it signals to the listener that you are asking a 'wh-' question.

3

The baby was born yesterday.

In ASL, it is best to establish the time first. Start with the sign for 'yesterday', then gently rock your arms to sign 'baby', and finally perform the sign for 'born'. This sets up a clear, logical sequence of events.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'born' the same as 'birth'?

Yes, in American Sign Language, the sign for 'born' is exactly the same as the sign for 'birth.' You don't need to learn a separate movement. The context of your conversation will naturally let the other person know which specific English concept you are referring to.

Does it matter which hand goes underneath?

Yes, hand dominance is important here. Your dominant hand (the one you write with) should always be the hand that moves and slides underneath. Your non-dominant arm simply acts as the stationary base. Reversing this can make your signing look awkward or confusing to fluent signers.

Can I use this sign for animals being born?

Absolutely! This sign is universally used for the birth of humans and animals alike. Whether you are talking about a new baby, a puppy, or a kitten entering the world, you will use this exact same sliding motion to express the concept of being born.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!