BROTHER in sign language

Learn how to sign "brother" in American Sign Language (ASL).

ASL signs for BROTHER

Meaning: a boy or man who has the same parents as another person; a male sibling.

Pronunciation (sign description): There is a few variants of the ASL sign "brother".

Variant 1: Thumb of dominant "10" hand is in contact with forehead while non-dominant horizontal forefinger is held space, with index finger pointing out, palm down. Dominant hand moves towards, transforming the "10" handshape into the "1" handshape where both forefingers meet at the edges of fingers, both palms down.

Variant 2: Thumb of dominant "L" handshape (also variant of "10" handshape) is in contact with forehead moves toward non-dominant horizontal forefinger, where bottom of dominant hand rests on top of non-dominant hand.

Etymology: This sign originally was derived from the compound BOY+SAME as it evolved into a few variants through the process of assimilation. Thus, the variant 1 is believed to be older and the variant 2 is the modern version.

Related signs: BROTHER-IN-LAW.

Meaning: a close male friend or companion.

Sign description glossed as: QUOTATION-MARK(2h) + BROTHER.

Related signs: FRIEND, COMRADE.

Meaning: a associate or member of a labor union or other organization such as fraternity.

Related signs: MEMBER, FRATERNITY.

Vocabulary

Opposite: SISTER where the ASL word is the same except for the location where the upper head is for male and the lower head is for female.

More words: FAMILY.

Usage/Grammar

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Written ASL

[Note: ASL writing is not an official standard. This sign language writing remains in a state of open space to allow room for experiment, evolution, and improvement.]

Modern ASL sign written for BROTHER

The modern ASL sign for BROTHER. ASL digit written by Todd Hicks.

Old ASL sign written for BROTHER

The older ASL sign for BROTHER.

ASL digit written and contributed by Adrean Clark in the ASLwrite community, 2017.

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