Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell FARAH in sign language

Farah 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 FF
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter RR
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter HH

Letter by letter

  1. F Thumb and index fingertip touch to form a circle; middle, ring, and pinky extended upward and slightly spread.
  2. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  3. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  4. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  5. H Index and middle fingers extended together, pointing sideways; thumb holds the ring and pinky down.

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.