To sign *reptile*, start by making the sign for *snake*. Form a bent 'V' handshape with your dominant hand in front of your body, and move it forward in a wavy, slithering motion, mimicking a snake moving away from you. Then, smoothly transition your dominant hand into an 'R' handshape by crossing your index and middle fingers, and hold it up briefly. This combines the visual concept of a snake with the first letter of the English word *reptile*.
To sign this, you would start by signing *zoo*, then use the compound sign for *reptile* (slithering bent 'V' followed by an 'R'), and finish by signing *exhibit* or *show* to describe the new area.
Begin by signing *snake* using the slithering bent 'V' motion. Then, you can sign *same* or *part-of*, followed by the full *reptile* sign (SNAKE + R) to show the relationship between the two.
Sign *my brother* first, followed by *want*. Then sign *pet* by stroking the back of your non-dominant hand, and conclude with the *reptile* sign to specify what kind of pet he is looking for.
To sign this, you would start by signing *zoo*, then use the compound sign for *reptile* (slithering bent 'V' followed by an 'R'), and finish by signing *exhibit* or *show* to describe the new area.
Begin by signing *snake* using the slithering bent 'V' motion. Then, you can sign *same* or *part-of*, followed by the full *reptile* sign (SNAKE + R) to show the relationship between the two.
Sign *my brother* first, followed by *want*. Then sign *pet* by stroking the back of your non-dominant hand, and conclude with the *reptile* sign to specify what kind of pet he is looking for.
No, they are slightly different. While the sign for *reptile* starts with the exact same slithering bent 'V' motion as *snake*, it requires an extra step. You must add the 'R' handshape at the end to specify the broader category of reptiles.
Yes, absolutely! Fingerspelling R-E-P-T-I-L-E is very common and widely accepted in ASL, especially in biology classes or formal conversations. The initialized sign shown here is just a helpful, visual shorthand that many signers use for convenience.
Keep the motion relaxed and contained. A couple of small, wavy side-to-side movements as your hand moves forward is plenty to convey the idea of a slithering snake. There is no need to exaggerate the movement across your entire body.
