How to Sign "Hu"
To sign 'hu', you will fingerspell the letters H and U. Start by forming the letter 'H' with your dominant hand: extend your index and middle fingers together, pointing them horizontally across your body, while tucking your thumb over your curled ring and pinky fingers. Next, smoothly transition to the letter 'U' by simply rotating your wrist so those same two extended fingers point straight up toward the ceiling. Keep your hand steady in your fingerspelling space without bouncing between the letters.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'hu' is simply the sequential fingerspelling of the letters 'H' and 'U' from the American Manual Alphabet. The manual alphabet was developed to represent the English alphabet visually. The handshape for 'U' is somewhat iconic, as the two extended fingers pressed together loosely resemble the straight lines of the printed letter 'U'. The 'H' handshape is a standard manual convention. When signed together, they are used for acronyms, abbreviations, or as the beginning sequence of a longer fingerspelled word.
Signing Tips
When fingerspelling 'H' and 'U', the key to a smooth transition is realizing that the finger position doesn't change at all! Both letters require your index and middle fingers to be extended and pressed tightly together. The only difference is the orientation of your wrist. Practice holding your fingers in place and simply rotating your wrist from a horizontal position for 'H' to a vertical position for 'U'. Keep your hand in a comfortable, steady position near your shoulder.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make when fingerspelling 'H' and 'U' is allowing their index and middle fingers to separate. If your fingers drift apart during the 'U', it turns into the letter 'V'. If they separate during the 'H', it can look like a sloppy 'P' or 'K'. Another frequent error is bouncing the hand up and down between the two letters. Bouncing makes fingerspelling difficult to read, so focus on keeping your hand perfectly still while only rotating your wrist.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Hu" in a Sentence
1I am applying to HU.
To sign this, you would sign 'I', 'apply', and then fingerspell the letters H and U to represent the university abbreviation.
2My friend's name is Hugh.
When fingerspelling the name Hugh, you will start with this exact H-U sequence. Keep your hand steady as you transition from the horizontal H to the vertical U.
3The abbreviation for Hungary is HU.
Sign 'Hungary', 'abbreviation', and then fingerspell H-U. Make sure to keep your index and middle fingers glued together for both letters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I smoothly transition from H to U?
Keep your index and middle fingers glued together. The only movement needed is a quick, smooth rotation of your wrist to point the fingers from sideways (H) to upwards (U).
Should I bounce my hand between the letters?
No, you should keep your hand steady in your designated fingerspelling space (usually just to the side of your chin or shoulder). Bouncing makes it much harder for the other person to read the letters clearly.
Why does my U look like a V?
Make sure your index and middle fingers are pressed tightly together for both H and U. If you relax your hand and let those fingers separate, the 'U' becomes a 'V'!
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