If you decide to learn sign language, the first step you need to learn is to sign each letter. How to make alphabetic cues varies, depending on the region. Some areas use one hand, and some use two hands. This article focuses on the American Sign Language version of the alphabet, used in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Germany, Austria, Norway, and Finland (with slight variations; see the Tips section below for more information). After learning the signs of each alphabet, you can spell any word, and understand what people are trying to communicate using sign language. Here's how to do some alphabetic cues, as well as a guide to proper etiquette and manners in sign language.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Performing Alphabet Cues
Your palms are facing the person you are communicating with, except for the letters "G", "C", "O", and "H".
Step 1. A
Make a fist and rest your extended thumb on your index finger.
Step 2. B
Straighten and close all four fingers except the thumb, which is bent in front of the palm.
Step 3. C
Curl your palms so that they look like an inverted "C".
Step 4. D
Touch the thumbs to the tips of all fingers, except for the index finger which is pointing straight up.
Step 5. E
Start with the letter "B" cue. Lower all four fingers so that the tips touch the thumbs. Make sure you keep your fingers close to your palms so they don't resemble the letter "O" (not like claws).
Step 6. F
Bring the tips of your index finger and thumb together, and straighten your remaining three fingers upward. This cue is the opposite of the letter “D” sign so it is often confused.
Step 7. G
Straighten your thumb and forefinger and give them a distance of about 1 cm, then point them sideways while your palms are facing you. Make this gesture as if you are about to pinch someone.
Step 8. H
Make a "G" alphabetic gesture and align the middle finger tightly with the index finger. Palms facing you.
Step 9. I
Make a fist and straighten your little finger up.
Step 10. J
Make a fist, then straighten your pinky and use it to write the letter "J" in the air.
Step 11. K
Straighten the middle and index fingers pointing up, and place the thumb on the first knuckle of the middle finger.
Step 12. L
Make the letter "L" with your thumb and index finger.
Step 13. M
Make a fist and face forward, then tuck your thumb between the base of your ring finger and little finger.
Step 14. N
Make a fist and face forward. Slide your thumb between the base of your middle and ring fingers.
Step 15. O
Make the letter "O" with your fingers.
Step 16. P
Make a "K" gesture pointing down and your thumb touching your middle finger.
Step 17. Q
Make a downward-pointing "G" gesture. The two fingertips should almost touch.
Step 18. R
Cross your middle finger over your index finger.
Step 19. S
Make a fist and rest your thumb on top of the other fingers. This gesture is similar to the letter "A" cue so pay attention to the position of your thumb.
Step 20. T
Make a fist and tuck your thumb between the base of your index and middle fingers.
Step 21. U
Straighten your index and middle fingers, bring them together, then point them up.
Step 22. V
Make a "U" sign, and separate the index and middle fingers.
Step 23. W
Make a "V" gesture and add a ring finger.
Step 24. X
Make a fist and raise your bent index finger.
Step 25. Y
Make a fist, then straighten your little finger and thumb.
Step 26. Z
Write the letter "Z" in the air with your index finger.
Method 2 of 2: Doing the Correct Form of Gestures
Step 1. Read some of these tips for creating good alphabetic sign shapes:
- Keep your hands in one place.
- Insert clear pauses between each word.
- Try to trim your nails and don't wear too many accessories, as this will distract the other person.
- When you spell acronyms in sign language, move each letter in a circular motion so the other person knows not to read it as a single word.
- Don't "bounce" your hand between each letter cue as this gesture signifies repeating the letter cue (same as dragging the cue sideways). Bouncing hands makes gestures difficult to read. To prevent this, during the exercise hold your wrist with the other hand so it doesn't move. Over time, your body will get used to it.
- Keep your palms forward, unless you're signaling the letters "G", "H" "C" and "O" (for these letters, hands should be facing to the side).
- Preferably the cue is made at shoulder height.
- Keep a consistent pace. Don't rush into making gestures so they can be done in a consistent rhythm (without bouncing hands). Thus, the interlocutor can find out the pause easily. It's better to do it slowly and steadily instead of making the gesture quickly and suddenly stopping because you forget the shape of the gesture. The other person will think you are starting a new word.
Tips
- Practice every day for a while, then try to learn finger cues for words.
- When you first learn, practice the letters A, B, C, D, E first all day. The next day, continue with the letters F, G, H, I, J and add to the previous exercise.
- Print this PDF document to help you remember if you forget a letter hint or two.
- If you can't have your palms facing the other person, adjust your body position so that you can do it more comfortably.
- It is important to meet and have sign language conversations with deaf people to get a feel for how to sign and spell the alphabet. Interacting with fellow sign language users will make it easier for you to learn the “accent” or “dialect” in your area. Depending on the region, the form of sign language used may differ.
- In Germany, Austria, Norway, and Finland, the "T" gesture is similar to "G" but the thumb is placed above the first knuckle of the index finger. The German,,, and gestures are the same as the A, O, U, and S signs, but the hand is moved downwards. Meanwhile, the SCH signal is done by opening the palm of the hand and facing the other person (as if to do a high five). In Norway and Finland, the letters,,, are derived from the letters A and O (for the letter, the hands are moved in a circle), and the letter is done by opening the palms as if to give a high five.
