Spell a word · 4 letters

How to spell WATI in sign language

Wati 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 WW
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter TT
ASL handshape for the letter II

Letter by letter

  1. W Index, middle, and ring fingers extended upward and spread; thumb holds the pinky finger down.
  2. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  3. T A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger, peeking out between the index and middle fingers.
  4. I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.

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.