American Sign Language Alphabet

Learning the American Sign Language

The American Sign Language Alphabet is fingerspelled and consists of 22 handshapes that make up the 26 letters of the manual alphabet. The key to learning the American Sign Language alphabet is repetition. By consistently making the hand movements you will find that you can do it quicker and with more ease each time. One way of learning the American Sign Language Alphabet is by repeating it in the car on trips (not if you’re driving of course). While sitting on the couch watching TV, its good to practice the hand movements. Young children love the kinesthetic and visual element to learning the American Sign Language Alphabet. Its been proven over and over again in research to boost early language and reading development.

Sign Language A: A closed fist, all finger folded against the palm, thumb is straight, alongside the index finger.

Sign Language B: All fingers are straight. Thumb is folded across palm.

Sign Language C: All fingers partially folded. Thumb is partially folded. Hand is turn slightly to the left so viewer can see backward “C” shape formed by thumb and index finger.

Sign Language D: Middle, ring and little fingers are partially folded. Tip of thumb is touching tip of middle finger. Index finger is straight. Hand is turned slightly so viewer can see “d” shape formed by thumb, middle and index fingers.

Sign Language E: Fold your thumb in front of the palm but not toughing it. All fingers are partially folded with the tips of index, middle and ring fingers touching the thumb between the knuckle and the tip.

Sign Language F: Touch your index finger to the tip of your thumb. Middle, ring and little fingers are straight and slightly spread.

Sign Language G: Your middle, ring and little fingers are folded down across palm. Thumb is straight but pulled in so that it is in front of the index finger. The index finger is straight and pointing forwards slightly so that it is parallel to the thumb.

Sign Language H: Ring and little finger are folded down. Thumb is folded over ring and little finger. Index finger and middle finger are straight and together. The hand is tilted over so that the fingers are horizontal and pointing to the left.

Sign Language I: Ring and little finger are folded down. Thumb is folded over ring and little finger. Index finger and middle finger are straight and together. The hand is tilted over so that the fingers are horizontal and pointing to the left.

Sign Language J: The hand is moved so that little finger draws a “J” shape.

Sign Language K: Ring and little fingers are folded down. Index and middle finger are straight and slightly spread. Thumb is straight and pointing up to the middle finger. (This is very similar to P the only difference is the position the hand is facing)

Sign Language L: Thumb is sticking out sideways at 90 degrees to index finger to form “L” shape.

Sign Language M: Little finger is folded. Thumb is folded across to touch little finger. Index, middle and ring fingers are folded down over thumb.

Sign Language N: Little and ring finger are folded. Thumb is folded across ring and little finger. Index finger and middle finger are folded down over thumb.

Sign Language O: All fingers are partially folded. Thumb is partially folded and tip of thumb is touching tip of index finger. Hand is turned slightly so viewer can see “O” shape formed by thumb and index finger.

Sign Language P: Ring and little finger are folded down. Index finger is straight.

Sign Language Q: Ring and little fingers are folded down across palm. Thumb is straight but pulled in so that it is in front of the index finger.

Sign Language R: Ring and little finger are folded against the palm, held down by thumb, index and middle finger are straight and crossed, index finger in front.

Sign Language S: Clenched fist. All fingers folded tightly into palm. Thumb is across index and middle fingers.

Sign Language T: Middle, ring and little fingers are fold down across palm. Thumb is folded across middle finger. Index finger is folded over thumb.

Sign Language U: Ring and little finger are folded against the palm, held down by thumb, index and middle finger are straight and together.

Sign Language V: Index and middle finger are straight and spread to form a “V” shape.

Sign Language W: Tip of little finger is touching tip of thumb. Index, middle and ring fingers are straight and slightly spread.

Sign Language X: Middle, ring and little fingers are folded down. Index finger is bent at both joints. Thumb is pulled in and slightly bent at the joint. The hand is turned to the left so view can see thumb and index finger.

Sign Language Y: Index, middle and ring ringers folded against palm. Little finger and thumb are straight and spread wide.

Sign Language Z: The hand is moved so that the tip of index finger draws out a “Z” shape.

American Sign Language Alphabet Videos:

This is a video of MY SON Jay. He will help you see how it easy it is for children to learn the American Sign Language Alphabet

Learn the American Sign Language Alphabet with this video for instruction.

The Latest Tweets from Twitter about American Sign Language Alphabet

From Twitter: Sign Language Alphabet

Mon, 08 Aug 2011
I LEARNED THE SIGN LANGUAGE ALPHABET! (-: #accomplished

Mon, 08 Aug 2011
@RAHZELjr *scratches head* Hmmm, I didn’t think that far ahead! OH! But I do know the entire alphabet in sign language! *Hold the Applause*

Mon, 08 Aug 2011
Every party i always wish i know some gang signs to throw up instead of my alphabet sign language

Mon, 08 Aug 2011
@njazzaf I know right! I’m learning sign language now:D I know the alphabet oo some phrases:)

Sun, 07 Aug 2011
Learn Sign Language Colors http://www.squidoo.com/american-sign-language-alphabet #Squidoo #ASL #Mom

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