Spell a word · 9 letters

How to spell NATTAPONG in sign language

Nattapong fingerspelled in ASL is 9 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 NN
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter TT
ASL handshape for the letter TT
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter PP
ASL handshape for the letter OO
ASL handshape for the letter NN
ASL handshape for the letter GG

Letter by letter

  1. N A fist with the thumb tucked under two fingers (index and middle), peeking out between the middle and ring fingers.
  2. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  3. T A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger, peeking out between the index and middle fingers.
  4. T A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger, peeking out between the index and middle fingers.
  5. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  6. P Same handshape as K, but angled downward with the index and middle fingers pointing toward the ground.
  7. O All fingertips curved forward to touch the tip of the thumb, forming a closed O circle.
  8. N A fist with the thumb tucked under two fingers (index and middle), peeking out between the middle and ring fingers.
  9. G Index finger pointing sideways with the thumb extended parallel to it; other fingers curled into the palm.

Double letters. NATTAPONG 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.

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.