How to spell I AM SORRY in sign language
I Am Sorry 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.
I·
A
M·
S
O
RR
YLetter by letter
- I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.
- A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
- M A fist with the thumb tucked under three fingers (index, middle, ring), peeking out between the ring and pinky fingers.
- S A closed fist with the thumb wrapped across the front of all curled fingers.
- O All fingertips curved forward to touch the tip of the thumb, forming a closed O circle.
- R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
- R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
- Y Thumb and pinky extended outward to opposite sides; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into the palm.
Double letters. I AM SORRY has the same letter twice in a row. Do not re-form it: hold the handshape and slide the hand slightly to the side, or give it a small bounce, so the reader sees two.
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.