Learn American Sign Language (ASL) with Sim Kuo – Learning Sign Language LSL#1: Alphabet 1#1

The American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet consists of 26 manual alphabetical letters, corresponding to the English alphabet. It is used to fingerspell words, people’s names, brand names, etc. Fingerspelling is often used for proper names or to indicate the English word for something.

To sign the alphabet in American Sign Language (ASL), you use a series of hand shapes that correspond to each letter of the English alphabet. Here’s a brief overview:

A: Make a fist with your thumb resting on the side of your index finger.

B: Hold your hand up with your fingers together and your thumb across your palm.

C: Curve your hand into a “C” shape.

D: Touch the tip of your thumb to the tips of your middle, ring, and pinky fingers, while your index finger points up.

E: Curl your fingers down to touch your thumb.

F: Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger, forming a circle, with the other fingers extended.

G: Point your index finger and thumb out to the side, with the other fingers closed.

H: Extend your index and middle fingers together, with the other fingers closed.

I: Extend your pinky finger, with the other fingers closed.

J: Draw a “J” in the air with your pinky finger.

K: Extend your index and middle fingers, with your thumb between them.

L: Form an “L” shape with your thumb and index finger.

M: Place your thumb under your first three fingers.

N: Place your thumb under your first two fingers.

O: Form an “O” shape with your fingers.

P: Extend your index and middle fingers, with your thumb between them, and point downward.

Q: Point your thumb and index finger downward, with the other fingers closed.

R: Cross your index and middle fingers.

S: Make a fist with your thumb across your fingers.

T: Place your thumb under your index finger.

U: Extend your index and middle fingers together.

V: Extend your index and middle fingers apart.

W: Extend your index, middle, and ring fingers.

X: Bend your index finger into a hook shape.

Y: Extend your thumb and pinky finger.

Z: Draw a “Z” in the air with your index finger.