To sign 'elder', start with your dominant hand in a loose 'C' shape at your chin. Pull the hand downward while closing it into a fist ('S' shape), as if grasping a long beard. Finally, move the fist slightly upward to add the '-er' suffix, indicating someone who is older.
Sign 'elder' followed by 'brother' to specify which sibling you are talking about.
Use the sign for 'elder' to refer to older individuals in your community.
Sign 'elder' to indicate the comparative age between the two sisters.
Sign 'elder' followed by 'brother' to specify which sibling you are talking about.
Use the sign for 'elder' to refer to older individuals in your community.
Sign 'elder' to indicate the comparative age between the two sisters.
The sign for 'old' consists only of the downward pull from the chin. 'Elder' (or 'older') adds a slight upward movement with the fist at the end to indicate the comparative '-er'.
Yes! In ASL, the signs for 'elder' and 'older' are exactly the same. The context of your sentence will make your intended meaning clear.
Not typically. In religious contexts, 'elder' is often signed using an 'E' handshape or other specific initialized signs depending on the denomination. The sign shown here is for general age.
