How to Sign "Father"
to sign 'father', splay the fingers of the hand slightly. bring the hand up to the forehead, with the pinkie facing outwards. tap the tip of the thumb against the lower lip twice.
Examples Using "Father" in a Sentence
1
My father is coming to visit.
Sign 'my', then sign 'father' by splaying your fingers, bringing your hand up toward your forehead, and tapping your thumb against your lower lip twice.
2
He is a good father.
Point to the person for 'he', sign 'good', and then perform the 'father' sign by tapping your thumb on your lower lip twice with your fingers splayed upward and your pinkie facing out.
3
I love my father.
Sign 'I', 'love', 'my', and finish with 'father', ensuring your hand is brought up to the forehead area while the thumb makes its double tap on the lower lip.
How to Sign "Father"
to sign 'father', splay the fingers of the hand slightly. bring the hand up to the forehead, with the pinkie facing outwards. tap the tip of the thumb against the lower lip twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
In ASL, male signs typically involve the upper half of the face, like the forehead. In this specific variation, the hand extends up to the forehead area to signify the male gender, while the thumb anchors the sign by tapping the lower lip. The open, splayed fingers represent the traditional family handshape.
Signing Tips
Focus on the orientation of your hand to keep the sign clear. Your pinkie should face outward, away from your body. Keep your fingers spread naturally as you bring your hand up toward your forehead, and ensure the double tap of your thumb on your lower lip is light and deliberate.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often forget to keep their fingers splayed or they tap the wrong location. For this specific variation, make sure your thumb taps the lower lip twice, rather than the chin or the center of the forehead, while keeping the rest of your hand extended upward.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Father" in a Sentence
1My father is coming to visit.
Sign 'my', then sign 'father' by splaying your fingers, bringing your hand up toward your forehead, and tapping your thumb against your lower lip twice.
2He is a good father.
Point to the person for 'he', sign 'good', and then perform the 'father' sign by tapping your thumb on your lower lip twice with your fingers splayed upward and your pinkie facing out.
3I love my father.
Sign 'I', 'love', 'my', and finish with 'father', ensuring your hand is brought up to the forehead area while the thumb makes its double tap on the lower lip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I tap my thumb once or twice?
For this sign, you should tap the tip of your thumb against your lower lip exactly twice.
Should my fingers be closed or open?
Your fingers should be splayed (spread open) slightly, with your pinkie facing outwards away from your face.
Does it matter which hand I use?
You should use your dominant hand to sign 'father'. If you are right-handed, use your right hand to bring up to your forehead and tap your lower lip.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!