How to spell WORLD in sign language
World fingerspelled in ASL is 5 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.
W
O
R
L
DLetter by letter
- W Index, middle, and ring fingers extended upward and spread; thumb holds the pinky finger down.
- O All fingertips curved forward to touch the tip of the thumb, forming a closed O circle.
- R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
- L Index finger pointing straight up and thumb extended outward to form an L; other three fingers curled into the palm.
- D Index finger extended upward; middle, ring, and pinky curled to meet the thumb, forming a small circle.
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.