How to Sign "Moral"

To sign 'moral,' hold your non-dominant hand flat with the fingers pointing up and the palm facing sideways. Form an 'M' handshape with your dominant hand by resting your index, middle, and ring fingers over your thumb. Touch the fingertips of your 'M' hand to the upper part of your non-dominant palm, then lift it slightly and tap the lower part of the palm.

Examples Using "Moral" in a Sentence

1

She has good morals.

Point to the person to sign 'she,' sign 'good' by moving your flat hand from your chin to your other hand, and then sign 'moral.'

2

What is the moral of the story?

Establish the topic by signing 'story' and 'moral,' then sign 'what?' while furrowing your eyebrows to indicate a WH-question.

3

That was a moral decision.

Sign 'that,' followed by 'decision' (using both 'F' hands moving downward), and finish with the sign for 'moral.'

How to Sign "Moral"
To sign 'moral,' hold your non-dominant hand flat with the fingers pointing up and the palm facing sideways. Form an 'M' handshape with your dominant hand by resting your index, middle, and ring fingers over your thumb. Touch the fingertips of your 'M' hand to the upper part of your non-dominant palm, then lift it slightly and tap the lower part of the palm.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'moral' is an initialized sign. It uses the 'M' handshape for the English word 'moral' and incorporates the movement and location of the sign for 'law.' The non-dominant hand represents a stone tablet or piece of paper where laws and principles are written.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand steady and flat, acting as a solid base. Ensure your 'M' handshape is clearly formed with three fingers over the thumb so it isn't confused with an 'N' or 'H' handshape. The movement should be a distinct tap at the top and bottom of the palm, rather than a continuous slide.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using an 'L' or 'R' handshape by accident, which changes the meaning to 'law' or 'rule.' Another mistake is sliding the dominant hand down the palm instead of making two distinct taps, which can make the sign look messy or unclear.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Moral" in a Sentence
1

She has good morals.

Point to the person to sign 'she,' sign 'good' by moving your flat hand from your chin to your other hand, and then sign 'moral.'

2

What is the moral of the story?

Establish the topic by signing 'story' and 'moral,' then sign 'what?' while furrowing your eyebrows to indicate a WH-question.

3

That was a moral decision.

Sign 'that,' followed by 'decision' (using both 'F' hands moving downward), and finish with the sign for 'moral.'

Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'moral' signed the same way as 'law'?

The location and movement are the same, but the handshape is different. 'Law' uses an 'L' handshape, while 'moral' uses an 'M' handshape. This is a common ASL pattern called initialization.

Does it matter which hand I use as the base?

Yes, your non-dominant hand should always be the flat base (representing the 'paper'), and your dominant hand should form the 'M' handshape and do the moving.

Can I use this sign to mean 'morale' like team spirit?

No, this sign is specifically for ethics, principles, or the lesson of a story. 'Morale' is a different concept and would be signed using signs related to spirit, enthusiasm, or attitude.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!