How to Sign "A"
This word does not have a sign, it is a word that will need to be finger spelled. You can spell itt out with each individual letter. (A)
Examples Using "A" in a Sentence
1
I saw a dog.
In everyday ASL, you usually drop the word 'a' and simply sign 'I SAW DOG'. If you are signing exact English, you would fingerspell the letter 'A' between 'SAW' and 'DOG'.
2
She wants a book.
You can convey this by signing 'SHE WANT BOOK'. If you need to include the English word 'a' for a specific reason, form your hand into the 'A' handshape before signing 'BOOK'.
3
Is that a new car?
Typically, you would sign 'THAT NEW CAR' with raised eyebrows to indicate a question. If you are practicing spelling English sentences, you would insert the fingerspelled letter 'A' before 'NEW'.
How to Sign "A"
This word does not have a sign, it is a word that will need to be finger spelled. You can spell itt out with each individual letter. (A)
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The handshape for the letter 'A' in the American manual alphabet is designed to loosely represent the lowercase written letter 'a'. The curled fingers form the round body of the letter, while the thumb represents the straight vertical stem on the side.
Signing Tips
When fingerspelling the letter 'A', keep your hand relaxed but firm. Form a fist with your fingers curled in, and let your thumb rest straight against the side of your index finger. Make sure your palm is facing outward toward the person you are signing to. While it is helpful to know how to spell it, remember that conversational ASL usually skips articles entirely!
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is tucking the thumb over the front of the fingers, which accidentally makes the 'S' handshape. Another mistake is sticking the thumb straight up, which looks like a 'thumbs up' or the number '10'. Keep the thumb flat against the side of your index finger.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "A" in a Sentence
1I saw a dog.
In everyday ASL, you usually drop the word 'a' and simply sign 'I SAW DOG'. If you are signing exact English, you would fingerspell the letter 'A' between 'SAW' and 'DOG'.
2She wants a book.
You can convey this by signing 'SHE WANT BOOK'. If you need to include the English word 'a' for a specific reason, form your hand into the 'A' handshape before signing 'BOOK'.
3Is that a new car?
Typically, you would sign 'THAT NEW CAR' with raised eyebrows to indicate a question. If you are practicing spelling English sentences, you would insert the fingerspelled letter 'A' before 'NEW'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always have to sign the word 'a' in a sentence?
No! American Sign Language has its own distinct grammar rules and does not use English articles like 'a', 'an', or 'the'. You generally only need to fingerspell 'A' if you are transliterating exact English, spelling a specific title, or reading a book to a child.
How do I make the 'A' handshape correctly?
Curl all four of your fingers down into your palm to make a fist. Then, place your thumb straight against the side of your index finger. Keep your palm facing forward toward the person you are talking to.
What is the difference between the 'A' and 'S' handshapes?
The difference is entirely in the thumb placement! For the letter 'A', your thumb rests on the outside edge of your index finger. For the letter 'S', your thumb wraps across the front of your curled fingers.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!