Spell a word · 9 letters

How to spell SINGAPORE in sign language

Singapore fingerspelled in ASL is 9 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 SS
ASL handshape for the letter II
ASL handshape for the letter NN
ASL handshape for the letter GG
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter PP
ASL handshape for the letter OO
ASL handshape for the letter RR
ASL handshape for the letter EE

Letter by letter

  1. S A closed fist with the thumb wrapped across the front of all curled fingers.
  2. I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.
  3. N A fist with the thumb tucked under two fingers (index and middle), peeking out between the middle and ring fingers.
  4. G Index finger pointing sideways with the thumb extended parallel to it; other fingers curled into the palm.
  5. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  6. P Same handshape as K, but angled downward with the index and middle fingers pointing toward the ground.
  7. O All fingertips curved forward to touch the tip of the thumb, forming a closed O circle.
  8. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  9. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.

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.