How to spell JACK in sign language
Jack fingerspelled in ASL is 4 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.
J
A
C
KLetter by letter
- J Pinky extended from a fist, tracing a J-shaped hook downward in the air.
- A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
- C Fingers and thumb curved into an open C shape, palm facing sideways.
- K Index and middle fingers extended upward in a V, with the thumb placed between them resting on the middle finger knuckle; ring and pinky curled.
Motion letter. J cannot be held still: it is drawn in the air rather than posed. Everything else in JACK is a static handshape.
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.