Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell KAYLA in sign language

Kayla 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 KK
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter YY
ASL handshape for the letter LL
ASL handshape for the letter AA

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. Y Thumb and pinky extended outward to opposite sides; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into the palm.
  4. L Index finger pointing straight up and thumb extended outward to form an L; other three fingers curled into the palm.
  5. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.

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.