How to Sign "Letters" in American Sign Language (ASL)

Letters in ASL are shown by making shapes with one hand. Each letter has its own special way of being formed, and signers must learn all twenty-six different hand positions to spell words correctly. The ASL alphabet came from French Sign Language about 200 years ago. People use fingerspelling when they need to spell out names, places, or words that don't have their own signs, and this happens quite often in everyday conversations. The dominant hand makes these letters at shoulder level. Some letters need movement while others stay still, and this helps make each letter clear and different from the others. While fingerspelling is a key skill for learning ASL, most people prefer using regular signs when talking.