Fingerspelling is spelling out words using handshapes that represent letters, with the American Fingerspelled Alphabet being used. It is used for spelling names, places, titles, and brands when signs do not exist. While only 26 letters need to be learned for fingerspelling, using it alone would make conversations very long and difficult to add expression compared to using full American Sign Language.

1. What is
Fingerspelling?

2. • Fingerspelling is the process of spelling out
words by using signs that correspond to the
letters of the word. An ASL user would use
the American Fingerspelled Alphabet, (also
called the American Manual Alphabet). There
are many different manual alphabets
throughout the world.
• The American Fingerspelled Alphabet consists
of 22 handshapes that--when held in certain
positions and/or are produced with certain
movements-- represent the 26 letters of the
American alphabet.

3. When should you use fingerspelling?
• There are lots of times when fingerspelling is
used.
The typical "these things are spelled" list
includes such items as:
- people's names
- places
- titles
- brands

4. Why not use fingerspelling instead of
ASL signs?
• People often ask why not just use
fingerspelling instead of American Sign
Language, that way you would only have to
learn 26 signs, and more people would be able
to understand. That is a good point, but it
would be impractical just to use fingerspelling.
Conversations would take hours, and it would
be very hard to add feeling and expression to
a conversation that just used fingerspelling.

5. ASL Alphabet