fingerspelling

Fingerspelling, or dactylology, is a method of representing a language through handshapes that correspond to letters of a written alphabet. It is used in many sign languages to spell words that have no established sign, such as proper nouns, technical terms, or foreign loanwords, and to render initials or acronyms when needed. Fingerspelling coexists with a native sign vocabulary and is often employed for clarification, emphasis, or to introduce new terms.

Technique and variation: Most fingerspelling systems use a one-handed alphabet (as in American Sign Language), though some sign languages utilize two-handed alphabets. Each letter has a fixed handshape and orientation, and letters are formed in sequence to spell words. Spelling is typically done with short, noticeable pauses between letters and between words. Speed varies by signer and context, and non-manual signals such as facial expressions or eyebrow movement may accompany spelling to indicate questions, negations, or emphasis. The exact shapes and order of letters differ between sign languages and may include diacritics in the written alphabet when describing the signs.

History and usage: The practice has historical roots in deaf education in Europe and North America during the 18th–19th centuries. Today, fingerspelling remains a standard resource in many sign languages, especially for names, technical terms, brand names, and foreign terms. In daily discourse, signers may switch between fingerspelled words and lexical signs, or spell out items that need special attention before returning to signs.

Cross-linguistic notes: Not all sign languages use standardized fingerspelling, and some communities have limited repertoires or variant alphabets. In many languages, fingerspelling is taught in schools alongside lexical signs and fingerspelled words are often understood within the broader context of sign language grammar.