How to Sign "Mother"
to sign 'mother', splay the fingers of the hand slightly. bring the hand up to the mouth, with the pinkie facing outwards. tap the tip of the thumb against the lower lip twice.
Examples Using "Mother" in a Sentence
1
My mother is coming to visit.
Sign 'my' by placing your flat hand on your chest, then sign 'mother' by splaying your fingers and tapping your thumb against your lower lip twice. Finish with the signs for 'come' and 'visit'.
2
I love my mother.
Point to yourself for 'I', cross your fists over your heart for 'love', sign 'my', and then sign 'mother' by bringing your splayed hand up to your mouth and tapping your lower lip.
3
Are you a mother?
Point to the person to sign 'you', then sign 'mother' by tapping your thumb against your lower lip twice with your pinkie facing outward. Make sure to raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.
How to Sign "Mother"
to sign 'mother', splay the fingers of the hand slightly. bring the hand up to the mouth, with the pinkie facing outwards. tap the tip of the thumb against the lower lip twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'mother' is deeply rooted in ASL's spatial organization of family and gender terms. Historically, signs representing female family members—such as mother, aunt, sister, and grandmother—are articulated on the lower half of the face, near the mouth, lower lip, or chin. Conversely, male signs are placed near the forehead. The open, splayed handshape is a foundational base for immediate family members, visually connecting the signs for mother and father.
Signing Tips
When signing 'mother', make sure your fingers are comfortably splayed apart, resembling an open '5' handshape. Keep your hand positioned so your pinkie points outward and your palm faces sideways. The motion should be a gentle, deliberate double-tap of the thumb against your lower lip. Avoid slapping your face; a light, crisp touch is all you need. Keep your hand relaxed to ensure the movement looks natural and fluid.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake for beginners is placing the thumb on the forehead instead of the lower lip, which actually changes the meaning of the word to 'father'. Another frequent error is curling the fingers inward instead of keeping them splayed apart. Make sure your pinkie is facing outward, not pointing forward toward the person you are signing to. Finally, remember to tap twice; a single tap that bounces forward can be confused with the sign for 'grandmother'.
Regional Variations
While this specific variation uses a double tap on the lower lip, you will frequently see signers tap the center of their chin instead. Another common variation involves holding the thumb steady on the lower lip or chin while wiggling the splayed fingers, rather than tapping the thumb twice.
Examples Using "Mother" in a Sentence
1My mother is coming to visit.
Sign 'my' by placing your flat hand on your chest, then sign 'mother' by splaying your fingers and tapping your thumb against your lower lip twice. Finish with the signs for 'come' and 'visit'.
2I love my mother.
Point to yourself for 'I', cross your fists over your heart for 'love', sign 'my', and then sign 'mother' by bringing your splayed hand up to your mouth and tapping your lower lip.
3Are you a mother?
Point to the person to sign 'you', then sign 'mother' by tapping your thumb against your lower lip twice with your pinkie facing outward. Make sure to raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the sign for mother on the lower lip?
In ASL, the face is divided into gendered zones. Female signs like 'mother', 'aunt', and 'girl' are placed on the lower half of the face (mouth, lower lip, and chin), while male signs are located on the top half near the forehead.
Do I need to tap once or twice?
For the standard noun 'mother', you should tap your thumb against your lower lip twice. A single tap that moves outward away from the face changes the meaning to 'grandmother'.
Does it matter which hand I use to sign 'mother'?
You should always use your dominant hand for one-handed signs like 'mother'. If you are right-handed, use your right hand to tap your lower lip, keeping your fingers splayed and your pinkie facing outward.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!