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Hi there! Today we will learn about fingerspelling in American Sign Language.
American Sign Language, or ASL, uses hand shapes to make words. Fingerspelling means using your hand to sign letters one by one.
To fingerspell, you make hand shapes for each letter of a word. People use fingerspelling for names and new places.
When you fingerspell a word, keep your hand still near your shoulder. Move your fingers smoothly from one letter to the next.
✏️ Worked example
How do you fingerspell the short word "CAT" step by step?
- First, keep your signing hand steady right near your shoulder.
- Next, make the sign for the letter C with your hand.
- Then, change your hand shape smoothly to make the letter A.
- Finally, change your hand shape to make the letter T.
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