Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell ACCRA in sign language

Accra fingerspelled in ASL is 5 handshapes, signed one after another with the palm facing out. Hold each for a beat and keep the hand in one place; the letters carry the word, not the movement.

ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter CC
ASL handshape for the letter CC
ASL handshape for the letter RR
ASL handshape for the letter AA

Letter by letter

  1. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  2. C Fingers and thumb curved into an open C shape, palm facing sideways.
  3. C Fingers and thumb curved into an open C shape, palm facing sideways.
  4. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  5. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.

Double letters. ACCRA has the same letter twice in a row. Do not re-form it: hold the handshape and slide the hand slightly to the side, or give it a small bounce, so the reader sees two.

Fingerspelling is how ASL handles names, places, brands and words without a sign of their own. Many everyday words do have a sign, so if you are learning ASL as a language, learn that sign too; this page shows how the word is spelled with the manual alphabet.