Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Slower"

To sign "slower," start by extending your non-dominant arm in front of you with the palm facing down. Place your dominant hand, also palm down, on the back of your non-dominant hand or wrist. Slowly drag your dominant hand up your arm towards your elbow, exaggerating the slow movement to emphasize the meaning.

Examples Using "Slower" in a Sentence

1

Can you sign slower?

Start by pointing to the person for 'YOU', then make the rolling motion for 'SIGN'. Finish with 'SLOWER' by dragging your hand up your arm very deliberately. This is a very common, polite, and helpful phrase for beginners to use when chatting with fluent signers.

2

Please drive slower.

Begin with the flat hand on your chest for 'PLEASE', then mimic holding a steering wheel for 'DRIVE'. Follow up with 'SLOWER', making sure to emphasize the slow dragging motion on your arm to clearly communicate that the vehicle's speed needs to be reduced.

3

I am learning, please go slower.

Point to yourself for 'I', use the knowledge-grabbing motion from your palm to your forehead for 'LEARN', and sign 'PLEASE'. Finish with 'SLOWER', using a polite facial expression. Exaggerating the slow movement on your arm helps emphasize that you need a gentler pace.

How to Sign "Slower"
To sign "slower," start by extending your non-dominant arm in front of you with the palm facing down. Place your dominant hand, also palm down, on the back of your non-dominant hand or wrist. Slowly drag your dominant hand up your arm towards your elbow, exaggerating the slow movement to emphasize the meaning.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "slower" is highly iconic and relies on a clear visual metaphor. The dominant hand dragging heavily and deliberately up the non-dominant arm visually represents physical friction, resistance, or a deliberate lack of speed. By physically demonstrating a slow, drawn-out action on the body, the sign perfectly captures the essence of moving at a reduced pace. The longer and more drawn out the physical movement is, the more intense the concept of slowness becomes in the visual language.
Signing Tips
To convey the comparative word "slower" rather than just the base word "slow," you should exaggerate the movement of the sign. Drag your dominant hand up your arm even more deliberately and take your time completing the motion. You can also use a facial expression that matches the concept of reducing speed, such as slightly lowering your eyebrows or relaxing your face. Remember that ASL often uses the actual speed of the sign itself to add meaning, so physically signing the word at a reduced pace perfectly captures the intended message.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is moving the dominant hand too quickly up the arm, which completely contradicts the meaning of the word. If you sign it fast, it can confuse the person you are talking to! Another frequent error is hovering the dominant hand above the arm instead of making gentle, continuous physical contact. Make sure your dominant hand actually rests on your non-dominant arm as it moves to effectively show that dragging, slow friction.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Slower" in a Sentence
1

Can you sign slower?

Start by pointing to the person for 'YOU', then make the rolling motion for 'SIGN'. Finish with 'SLOWER' by dragging your hand up your arm very deliberately. This is a very common, polite, and helpful phrase for beginners to use when chatting with fluent signers.

2

Please drive slower.

Begin with the flat hand on your chest for 'PLEASE', then mimic holding a steering wheel for 'DRIVE'. Follow up with 'SLOWER', making sure to emphasize the slow dragging motion on your arm to clearly communicate that the vehicle's speed needs to be reduced.

3

I am learning, please go slower.

Point to yourself for 'I', use the knowledge-grabbing motion from your palm to your forehead for 'LEARN', and sign 'PLEASE'. Finish with 'SLOWER', using a polite facial expression. Exaggerating the slow movement on your arm helps emphasize that you need a gentler pace.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I show the difference between "slow" and "slower"?

In ASL, you can show "slower" by exaggerating the standard sign for "slow." Drag your hand up your arm more deliberately and take more time to complete the motion to emphasize the comparative meaning. You can also sign "MORE" before "SLOW" if you prefer.

Do I need to touch my arm for this sign?

Yes, your dominant hand should make gentle, continuous contact with the back of your non-dominant arm as it slides upward. Hovering the hand above the arm is a common mistake that takes away from the visual friction the sign represents.

Can I use this sign to ask someone to speak or sign slower?

Absolutely! If someone is speaking or signing too fast for you to understand, you can use this sign to politely ask them to reduce their pace. It is a very helpful and widely understood sign for beginners to use during practice conversations.

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