Spell a word · 3 letters

How to spell RAJ in sign language

Raj fingerspelled in ASL is 3 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 RR
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter JJ

Letter by letter

  1. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  2. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  3. J Pinky extended from a fist, tracing a J-shaped hook downward in the air.

Motion letter. J cannot be held still: it is drawn in the air rather than posed. Everything else in RAJ is a static handshape.

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.