Spell a word · 6 letters

How to spell GARCIA in sign language

Garcia fingerspelled in ASL is 6 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 GG
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter RR
ASL handshape for the letter CC
ASL handshape for the letter II
ASL handshape for the letter AA

Letter by letter

  1. G Index finger pointing sideways with the thumb extended parallel to it; other fingers curled into the palm.
  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. C Fingers and thumb curved into an open C shape, palm facing sideways.
  5. I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.
  6. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.

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.