Spell a word · 4 letters

How to spell NOVA in sign language

Nova fingerspelled in ASL is 4 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 OO
ASL handshape for the letter VV
ASL handshape for the letter AA

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. O All fingertips curved forward to touch the tip of the thumb, forming a closed O circle.
  3. V Index and middle fingers extended straight up and spread into a V; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  4. 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.