How to Sign "Her"
To sign 'her', lay the dominant hand flat. Orient the hand so the palm is facing out and the fingers are pointing up. Motion the hand towards the person you are referring to.
Examples Using "Her" in a Sentence
1
That is her book.
Motion your flat dominant hand toward the woman you are talking about to sign 'her', then sign 'book'. This clearly shows that the book belongs to her.
2
Her name is Sarah.
Push your flat hand toward the person to sign 'her', then sign 'name' and fingerspell S-A-R-A-H.
3
I like her shoes.
Sign 'I', then 'like', and motion your flat hand toward the person to indicate 'her' before signing 'shoes'.
How to Sign "Her"
To sign 'her', lay the dominant hand flat. Orient the hand so the palm is facing out and the fingers are pointing up. Motion the hand towards the person you are referring to.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
In ASL, pronouns are highly visual and directional. A flat, open palm pushed toward someone is universally used in ASL to indicate possession. It acts like a visual boundary that assigns ownership of an object or trait to the person you are gesturing toward.
Signing Tips
When signing 'her', your eye gaze should briefly match the direction of your hand. If the person is not in the room with you, you can set up a space for them by motioning your flat hand to an empty space on your right or left. Keep your fingers tightly together to clearly show the flat handshape.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using an index finger to point instead of a flat hand. While pointing with the index finger means 'she', using the flat hand specifically means 'her' or 'hers' to show possession. Also, avoid bending your wrist; keep your hand and forearm aligned.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Her" in a Sentence
1That is her book.
Motion your flat dominant hand toward the woman you are talking about to sign 'her', then sign 'book'. This clearly shows that the book belongs to her.
2Her name is Sarah.
Push your flat hand toward the person to sign 'her', then sign 'name' and fingerspell S-A-R-A-H.
3I like her shoes.
Sign 'I', then 'like', and motion your flat hand toward the person to indicate 'her' before signing 'shoes'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'she' and 'her' in ASL?
In ASL, 'she' is signed by pointing at the person with your index finger. 'Her' (when showing possession, like 'her car') is signed with a flat hand, palm facing the person.
What if the person I am talking about isn't in the room?
You can use 'spatial referencing'. Simply pick an empty spot to your side, establish that the spot represents the person, and motion your flat hand toward that empty space whenever you sign 'her'.
Does this sign also work for 'his' or 'theirs'?
Yes! The flat handshape is the universal possessive pronoun sign in ASL. You use the exact same handshape and motion for 'his', 'hers', or 'theirs'—you just change the direction you push your hand based on who you are referring to.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!