To sign the name Ellie, you will fingerspell each letter: E-L-L-I-E. Start with the 'E' handshape by curling your top fingers down to rest on your thumb. Next, form an 'L' by extending your index finger up and thumb out. To show the double 'L', slide the handshape slightly outward or give it a small bounce. Follow with an 'I' by extending only your pinky finger upward, and finish by returning to the 'E' handshape.
To sign this, you would sign 'MY', then 'FRIEND', followed by 'NAME', and finally fingerspell E-L-L-I-E smoothly at a comfortable pace.
Sign 'BOOK', then 'I GIVE', and finish by fingerspelling E-L-L-I-E to specify exactly who received the book.
Fingerspell E-L-L-I-E, then sign 'HERE' while raising your eyebrows and leaning slightly forward to indicate a yes/no question.
To sign this, you would sign 'MY', then 'FRIEND', followed by 'NAME', and finally fingerspell E-L-L-I-E smoothly at a comfortable pace.
Sign 'BOOK', then 'I GIVE', and finish by fingerspelling E-L-L-I-E to specify exactly who received the book.
Fingerspell E-L-L-I-E, then sign 'HERE' while raising your eyebrows and leaning slightly forward to indicate a yes/no question.
Yes, generally you will fingerspell it. In Deaf culture, individuals are often given unique 'name signs' by Deaf friends or family. Unless the specific Ellie you are talking about has introduced herself with a name sign, you should always fingerspell E-L-L-I-E.
When a word has a double letter like the 'L' in Ellie, you don't need to form the letter twice from scratch. Simply make the 'L' handshape and either slide it slightly outward to the side or give it a small, quick bounce.
No, you should avoid mouthing the individual letters 'E', 'L', 'L', 'I', 'E'. Instead, you can naturally mouth the full name 'Ellie' as you spell it. This provides helpful context and makes it easier for the other person to catch the word.
