Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell ITALY in sign language

Italy 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 II
ASL handshape for the letter TT
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter LL
ASL handshape for the letter YY

Letter by letter

  1. I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.
  2. T A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger, peeking out between the index and middle fingers.
  3. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  4. L Index finger pointing straight up and thumb extended outward to form an L; other three fingers curled into the palm.
  5. Y Thumb and pinky extended outward to opposite sides; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into the palm.

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.