How to Sign "Elbow"
To sign elbow, bend your non-dominant arm so your forearm rests across your stomach or lower chest. Then, use your dominant hand to point to or tap the elbow of your non-dominant arm.
Examples Using "Elbow" in a Sentence
1
I hurt my elbow playing tennis.
Sign 'I', then sign 'hurt' near your elbow, followed by 'tennis'.
2
My elbow is itchy.
Sign 'my', then point to your 'elbow', and finish by signing 'itch' on or near the elbow.
3
Keep your elbows off the table.
Establish the 'table' first, then sign 'elbow', and use a directional motion to show moving them off or away from the table.
How to Sign "Elbow"
To sign elbow, bend your non-dominant arm so your forearm rests across your stomach or lower chest. Then, use your dominant hand to point to or tap the elbow of your non-dominant arm.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and indexical. Like many signs for body parts in ASL, it simply involves pointing directly to or touching the specific area you are referencing.
Signing Tips
Make sure to bend your non-dominant arm clearly across your body so your elbow is prominent and easy to identify. A gentle tap or simply pointing directly at it is all you need.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is leaving the non-dominant arm straight down at your side, which makes it awkward to indicate your elbow clearly. Always bring the arm up across your torso.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Elbow" in a Sentence
1I hurt my elbow playing tennis.
Sign 'I', then sign 'hurt' near your elbow, followed by 'tennis'.
2My elbow is itchy.
Sign 'my', then point to your 'elbow', and finish by signing 'itch' on or near the elbow.
3Keep your elbows off the table.
Establish the 'table' first, then sign 'elbow', and use a directional motion to show moving them off or away from the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which elbow should I point to?
When talking about elbows in general, you typically use your dominant hand to point to your non-dominant elbow. If you need to specify that your dominant elbow hurts, you can point to it with your non-dominant hand.
Do I tap it once or twice?
You can point to it or give it a quick double tap. Both are perfectly acceptable and commonly understood in everyday conversation.
Should I use my index finger or my whole hand?
You can use your index finger to point, or use a flat hand to gently tap the elbow. Both variations are standard and widely used.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!