"than" American Sign Language (ASL)

American Sign Language: "than" The sign for "than" is connected to quite a few other very similar signs. This page discusses: than less than less more-than limit equal maximum minimum too-much Also See: EQUAL THAN: Your dominant hand (which is the right hand for most people) moves down past your non-dominant hand. The dominant hand whacks the tip of the non-dominant hand a bit while moving downward. The non-dominant hand doesn't move. (174) LESS-THAN "below that amount" "from there on down" The left hand doesn't move. The right hand starts under the left hand and moves downward. (175) LESS: The left hand doesn't move. The right hand (dominant hand) moves downward toward the left hand. The shape of the right hand can either be bent or flat. The shape of the left hand can be either flat or bent a little. (176) MORE-THAN "Over that amount" "above that amount" "exceeding" "above and beyond" "from that point up" The left hand doesn't move. The right hand starts on top of the left hand and moves upward. (177) LIMIT: Both hands pivot (slice) forward: Also see animation: LIMIT (if you can view .wmv format) (178) EQUAL (179) MAXIMUM: Only the right hand moves. Start with the right hand a bit above and behind the left hand. Then bring (or twist) the right hand forward with a firm stop. NOTE: there is another version of this sign where the left hand is on top and the right hand moves up and smacks the bottom of the left hand as if showing "hitting a ceiling." (180) MINIMUM: Only the right hand moves. Start with the right hand a bit below and behind the left hand. Then bring (or twist) the right hand forward with a firm stop. (181) TOO-MUCH! This sign is similar to "more than" but the nonmanual marker (body language) is one of a negative headshake, and "ooh" mouth morpheme, and squinted eyes. Also, the right hand travels in a backward arc as it moves upward. Also See: EQUAL You can learn sign language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars

American Sign Language: "than"

The sign for "than" is connected to quite a few other very similar signs. This page discusses:
than
less than
less
more-than
limit
equal
maximum
minimum
too-much
Also See: EQUAL

THAN: Your dominant hand (which is the right hand for most people) moves down past your non-dominant hand. The dominant hand whacks the tip of the non-dominant hand a bit while moving downward. The non-dominant hand doesn't move.

(174) LESS-THAN
"below that amount" "from there on down"
The left hand doesn't move. The right hand starts under the left hand and moves downward.

(175)   LESS:
The left hand doesn't move. The right hand (dominant hand) moves downward toward the left hand.
The shape of the right hand can either be bent or flat. The shape of the left hand can be either flat or bent a little.

(176)   MORE-THAN
"Over that amount" "above that amount" "exceeding" "above and beyond" "from that point up"
The left hand doesn't move. The right hand starts on top of the left hand and moves upward.

(177)   LIMIT:
Both hands pivot (slice) forward:

Also see animation: LIMIT (if you can view .wmv format)

(178) EQUAL

(179) MAXIMUM:
Only the right hand moves. Start with the right hand a bit above and behind the left hand. Then bring (or twist) the right hand forward with a firm stop.

NOTE: there is another version of this sign where the left hand is on top and the right hand moves up and smacks the bottom of the left hand as if showing "hitting a ceiling."

(180) MINIMUM:
Only the right hand moves. Start with the right hand a bit below and behind the left hand. Then bring (or twist) the right hand forward with a firm stop.

(181)   TOO-MUCH!
This sign is similar to "more than" but the nonmanual marker (body language) is one of a negative headshake, and "ooh" mouth morpheme, and squinted eyes. Also, the right hand travels in a backward arc as it moves upward.

Also See: EQUAL