How to spell EXCUSE ME in sign language
Excuse Me fingerspelled in ASL is 8 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.
E
X
C
U
SE·
MELetter by letter
- E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
- X Index finger extended and bent into a hook at the knuckle; other fingers curled into a fist with the thumb alongside.
- C Fingers and thumb curved into an open C shape, palm facing sideways.
- U Index and middle fingers extended straight up and held tightly together; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
- S A closed fist with the thumb wrapped across the front of all curled fingers.
- E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
- M A fist with the thumb tucked under three fingers (index, middle, ring), peeking out between the ring and pinky fingers.
- E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
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.