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Hi there! I am Studyfin, and today we will learn how to spell words with our hands using American Sign Language!
American Sign Language is also called ASL. People use their hands, faces, and bodies to talk. Fingerspelling is when we spell out English words letter by letter using hand shapes.
Each letter of the alphabet has its own special hand shape. For example, to make the letter A, you make a fist. Then, you press your thumb flat against the side of your fingers.
Now look at the letter B. For this shape, you open your hand wide and keep your fingers straight up. Then, you tuck your thumb across your palm.
✏️ Worked example
Imagine you want to spell the short word 'CAB' to a friend using ASL. How would you do this step by step?
- First, look at your hand. You will make the letter C shape. Curve your fingers and thumb to look like a cup.
- Second, hold that shape still for a moment so your friend can see the letter C.
- Third, change your hand shape into a fist with your thumb on the side. This is the letter A.
- Fourth, change your shape one last time. Open your fingers straight up and tuck your thumb. This is the letter B.
- You just spelled your very first word, C-A-B, in sign language!
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