Spell a word · 6 letters

How to spell HUNTER in sign language

Hunter 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 HH
ASL handshape for the letter UU
ASL handshape for the letter NN
ASL handshape for the letter TT
ASL handshape for the letter EE
ASL handshape for the letter RR

Letter by letter

  1. H Index and middle fingers extended together, pointing sideways; thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  2. U Index and middle fingers extended straight up and held tightly together; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  3. N A fist with the thumb tucked under two fingers (index and middle), peeking out between the middle and ring fingers.
  4. T A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger, peeking out between the index and middle fingers.
  5. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  6. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); 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.