Spell a word · 6 letters

How to spell NGUYEN in sign language

Nguyen fingerspelled in ASL is 6 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 GG
ASL handshape for the letter UU
ASL handshape for the letter YY
ASL handshape for the letter EE
ASL handshape for the letter NN

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. G Index finger pointing sideways with the thumb extended parallel to it; other fingers curled into the palm.
  3. U Index and middle fingers extended straight up and held tightly together; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  4. Y Thumb and pinky extended outward to opposite sides; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into the palm.
  5. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  6. 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.