How to spell JOHANNESBURG in sign language

Letter by letter

1. J Pinky extended from a fist, tracing a J-shaped hook downward in the air.
2. O All fingertips curved forward to touch the tip of the thumb, forming a closed O circle.
3. H Index and middle fingers extended together, pointing sideways; thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
4. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
5. N A fist with the thumb tucked under two fingers (index and middle), peeking out between the middle and ring fingers.
6. N A fist with the thumb tucked under two fingers (index and middle), peeking out between the middle and ring fingers.
7. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
8. S A closed fist with the thumb wrapped across the front of all curled fingers.
9. B Four fingers straight up and together, thumb folded flat across the palm.
10. U Index and middle fingers extended straight up and held tightly together; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
11. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
12. G Index finger pointing sideways with the thumb extended parallel to it; other fingers curled into the palm.

Double letters. JOHANNESBURG 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.

Motion letter. J cannot be held still: it is drawn in the air rather than posed. Everything else in JOHANNESBURG 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.