American Sign Language: "than"

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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

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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(178) EQUAL

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

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

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

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(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 dominant hand travels in a backward arc as it moves upward.

 

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Also See:  EQUAL

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