Spell a word · 7 letters

How to spell KAITLYN in sign language

Kaitlyn fingerspelled in ASL is 7 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 KK
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter II
ASL handshape for the letter TT
ASL handshape for the letter LL
ASL handshape for the letter YY
ASL handshape for the letter NN

Letter by letter

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

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.