Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell GUPTA in sign language

Gupta 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 GG
ASL handshape for the letter UU
ASL handshape for the letter PP
ASL handshape for the letter TT
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. U Index and middle fingers extended straight up and held tightly together; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  3. P Same handshape as K, but angled downward with the index and middle fingers pointing toward the ground.
  4. T A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger, peeking out between the index and middle fingers.
  5. 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.