Spell a word · 4 letters

How to spell RYAN in sign language

Ryan 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 RR
ASL handshape for the letter YY
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter NN

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. Y Thumb and pinky extended outward to opposite sides; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into the palm.
  3. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  4. 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.