How to Sign "Girl"
To make the sign girl, take your dominant hand in the A handshape with palms in. Place your hand along jaw and slide it forward along your jaw twice.
Examples Using "Girl" in a Sentence
1
That girl is my friend.
Point to the person, sign 'girl' by sliding your dominant 'A' hand forward along your jaw twice, and then sign 'my friend'.
2
The little girl is playing.
Sign 'girl' using the sliding jawline motion, indicate her small height by holding a flat hand at waist level, and then sign 'play'.
3
Is the baby a boy or a girl?
Sign 'baby', 'boy', 'or', and then 'girl' by sliding your 'A' hand along your jaw. Remember to use your facial expressions to indicate you are asking a question.
How to Sign "Girl"
To make the sign girl, take your dominant hand in the A handshape with palms in. Place your hand along jaw and slide it forward along your jaw twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'girl' is rooted in historical clothing. It traces back to the days when young girls and women traditionally wore bonnets. The motion of the 'A' handshape sliding along the jawline visually represents the strings of a bonnet hanging down or being tied under the chin. Over time, this iconic gesture evolved into the standard ASL sign for 'girl' and helped establish the lower half of the face as the location for many female-related signs.
Signing Tips
When signing 'girl', make sure your thumb is resting naturally against the side of your index finger to form a proper 'A' handshape. Keep the motion gentle; you don't need to press hard against your face. Let the side of your thumb lightly brush along your jawbone from the back near your ear toward your chin. Keep your palm facing inward toward your body throughout the entire movement.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using an 'S' handshape (with the thumb wrapped across the front of the fingers) instead of an 'A' handshape (with the thumb resting alongside the index finger). Beginners also sometimes slide their hand down their neck or across their cheek instead of keeping the movement strictly along the jawline. Finally, remember to slide it twice for the standalone noun, as sliding just once can look like part of a compound sign.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Girl" in a Sentence
1That girl is my friend.
Point to the person, sign 'girl' by sliding your dominant 'A' hand forward along your jaw twice, and then sign 'my friend'.
2The little girl is playing.
Sign 'girl' using the sliding jawline motion, indicate her small height by holding a flat hand at waist level, and then sign 'play'.
3Is the baby a boy or a girl?
Sign 'baby', 'boy', 'or', and then 'girl' by sliding your 'A' hand along your jaw. Remember to use your facial expressions to indicate you are asking a question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hand should I use to sign 'girl'?
Always use your dominant hand. If you are right-handed, form the 'A' handshape with your right hand and slide it along the right side of your jaw. If you are left-handed, use your left hand on the left side of your jaw.
What is the difference between 'girl' and 'woman' in ASL?
While both signs are located near the chin, 'girl' uses an 'A' handshape sliding forward along the jawline twice. 'Woman' typically uses an open '5' handshape, starting with the thumb on the chin and moving down to tap the center of the chest.
Why are signs like 'girl', 'mother', and 'aunt' all signed near the chin?
In ASL, gendered signs are grouped by location on the face. The lower half of the face, specifically the cheek and chin area, is historically designated for female signs. The upper half of the face, near the forehead, is used for male signs.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!