Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Slow"

to sign 'slow', stick the non-dominant arm out so it is fully extended, with the hand curled into a fist. rest the fingertips of the dominant hand against the back of the non-dominant wrist. slowly drag the dominant hand up the arm until the fingertips touch the elbow.

Examples Using "Slow" in a Sentence

1

Please sign slower.

Sign 'please', then perform the sign for 'slow' by dragging your dominant fingertips from your non-dominant wrist up to your elbow. To mean 'slower', you can exaggerate the dragging motion, making it even more drawn out.

2

The internet is slow today.

After signing 'internet' and 'today', rest your dominant fingertips on your non-dominant wrist and drag them up to your elbow. A slightly frustrated facial expression helps convey the annoyance of a slow connection.

3

Turtles walk very slow.

Sign 'turtle', then execute the sign for 'slow'. To emphasize 'very slow', drag your dominant hand up your arm at an intentionally sluggish pace, showing the heavy, slow movement visually.

How to Sign "Slow"
to sign 'slow', stick the non-dominant arm out so it is fully extended, with the hand curled into a fist. rest the fingertips of the dominant hand against the back of the non-dominant wrist. slowly drag the dominant hand up the arm until the fingertips touch the elbow.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'slow' relies heavily on iconic motivation, meaning the physical action visually represents the concept. By dragging the hand sluggishly up the length of the arm, it mimics the idea of friction, resistance, or a long, drawn-out process. The physical length of the arm provides a visual timeline, and the sliding motion perfectly captures the essence of something taking a long time.
Signing Tips
To make your sign look natural, ensure your non-dominant arm is fully extended and steady. The most important part of signing 'slow' is the actual speed of your movement. Let your dominant hand drag up your arm at a noticeably sluggish pace. Your dominant hand should be relaxed, with the fingertips gently resting against your skin or clothing as they slide from the wrist to the elbow.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is rushing the movement. If you drag your hand up your arm too quickly, the sign loses its visual meaning and can confuse the viewer. Another common error is reversing the direction by starting at the elbow and moving down to the wrist. Always remember to start at the back of the wrist and pull upward toward the elbow.
Regional Variations
While this specific description uses a fist for the non-dominant hand, you may frequently see other signers keeping their non-dominant hand flat, with the palm facing down, while the dominant hand drags up the arm. Both variations are correct and widely understood.
Examples Using "Slow" in a Sentence
1

Please sign slower.

Sign 'please', then perform the sign for 'slow' by dragging your dominant fingertips from your non-dominant wrist up to your elbow. To mean 'slower', you can exaggerate the dragging motion, making it even more drawn out.

2

The internet is slow today.

After signing 'internet' and 'today', rest your dominant fingertips on your non-dominant wrist and drag them up to your elbow. A slightly frustrated facial expression helps convey the annoyance of a slow connection.

3

Turtles walk very slow.

Sign 'turtle', then execute the sign for 'slow'. To emphasize 'very slow', drag your dominant hand up your arm at an intentionally sluggish pace, showing the heavy, slow movement visually.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does the speed of my hand matter when signing 'slow'?

Absolutely! In ASL, you can modify the meaning of a sign by changing how you perform it. Dragging your hand up your arm at a very sluggish pace emphasizes that something is incredibly slow.

Do I need to actually touch my arm, or can I hover over it?

You should make physical contact. Gently rest the fingertips of your dominant hand against the back of your non-dominant wrist and maintain that light contact as you drag up to the elbow.

Which hand should be doing the moving?

Your dominant hand should be the one moving. Your non-dominant arm acts as the stationary base, extended out with the hand curled into a fist, while your dominant hand drags upward.

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