Spell a word · 7 letters

How to spell REBECCA in sign language

Rebecca fingerspelled in ASL is 7 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 EE
ASL handshape for the letter BB
ASL handshape for the letter EE
ASL handshape for the letter CC
ASL handshape for the letter CC
ASL handshape for the letter AA

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. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  3. B Four fingers straight up and together, thumb folded flat across the palm.
  4. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  5. C Fingers and thumb curved into an open C shape, palm facing sideways.
  6. C Fingers and thumb curved into an open C shape, palm facing sideways.
  7. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.

Double letters. REBECCA 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.