To sign *orphan*, form an 'O' handshape with your dominant hand. Raise your hand near your dominant shoulder or the side of your face, with your palm facing forward or slightly inward. Move the hand in a small, continuous circle. This movement is similar to the sign for *alone*, but uses the initialized 'O' handshape.
To sign this, start by signing *book* and *about*. Then, sign *young* by brushing your bent hands upward on your chest. Finally, use the circular 'O' handshape near your shoulder to sign *orphan*.
Begin by pointing to indicate *they*, then sign *adopt* by pulling both hands upward into 'S' shapes. Sign *orphan* with your 'O' handshape, and finish by signing *other country* to represent overseas.
Start with the sign for *orphan* using your 'O' handshape. Then sign *find* by picking up an imaginary object with your thumb and index finger. Finish by signing *love* and the two-handed circular sign for *family*.
To sign this, start by signing *book* and *about*. Then, sign *young* by brushing your bent hands upward on your chest. Finally, use the circular 'O' handshape near your shoulder to sign *orphan*.
Begin by pointing to indicate *they*, then sign *adopt* by pulling both hands upward into 'S' shapes. Sign *orphan* with your 'O' handshape, and finish by signing *other country* to represent overseas.
Start with the sign for *orphan* using your 'O' handshape. Then sign *find* by picking up an imaginary object with your thumb and index finger. Finish by signing *love* and the two-handed circular sign for *family*.
Yes! Many fluent ASL users prefer to describe the meaning rather than using an English-based initialized sign. A common and natural ASL translation is signing MOTHER FATHER NONE to clearly explain the concept of a child without parents.
This is an initialized sign. It intentionally borrows the location and circular movement from the ASL sign for *alone* but swaps the standard index finger handshape to an 'O'. This specifically ties the concept of being alone to the English word *orphan*.
The exact direction of the circle isn't strictly important, but most signers naturally circle the hand outward, upward, and back around in a continuous, small loop near the shoulder. Focus more on keeping the movement small and the handshape clear.
