Spell a word · 10 letters

How to spell VILLANUEVA in sign language

Villanueva fingerspelled in ASL is 10 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 VV
ASL handshape for the letter II
ASL handshape for the letter LL
ASL handshape for the letter LL
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter NN
ASL handshape for the letter UU
ASL handshape for the letter EE
ASL handshape for the letter VV
ASL handshape for the letter AA

Letter by letter

  1. V Index and middle fingers extended straight up and spread into a V; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  2. I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.
  3. L Index finger pointing straight up and thumb extended outward to form an L; other three fingers curled into the palm.
  4. L Index finger pointing straight up and thumb extended outward to form an L; other three fingers curled into the palm.
  5. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  6. N A fist with the thumb tucked under two fingers (index and middle), peeking out between the middle and ring fingers.
  7. U Index and middle fingers extended straight up and held tightly together; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  8. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  9. V Index and middle fingers extended straight up and spread into a V; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  10. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.

Double letters. VILLANUEVA 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.