Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Spell"

To sign 'spell', hold your dominant hand in front of you with your palm facing down and fingers spread apart. Move your hand horizontally outward to the side while continuously wiggling your fingers. This motion visually represents the rapid finger movements used when fingerspelling a word.

Examples Using "Spell" in a Sentence

1

How do you spell your name?

You would sign 'HOW', then 'SPELL' using the outward wiggling motion, followed by 'YOUR NAME', often raising your eyebrows to indicate a question.

2

Please spell it slowly.

Sign 'PLEASE', then 'SPELL', and finish with the sign for 'SLOW', emphasizing the spelling motion to request clarity.

3

I can spell that word.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'CAN', and then use the wiggling hand motion moving outward for 'SPELL'.

How to Sign "Spell"
To sign 'spell', hold your dominant hand in front of you with your palm facing down and fingers spread apart. Move your hand horizontally outward to the side while continuously wiggling your fingers. This motion visually represents the rapid finger movements used when fingerspelling a word.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'spell' is highly iconic, representing the rapid finger movements used in fingerspelling. The wiggling fingers visually mimic the continuous flow of different handshapes used when spelling out a word letter by letter in ASL.
Signing Tips
Keep your wrist relaxed and focus the movement in your fingers as you wiggle them. The horizontal movement should be smooth and steady, moving outward from the center of your body. Think of it as typing on an invisible keyboard in the air.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving the entire arm too much instead of letting the fingers do the work. Another error is keeping the fingers stiff; they need to wiggle continuously as the hand moves outward to properly convey the idea of spelling.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Spell" in a Sentence
1

How do you spell your name?

You would sign 'HOW', then 'SPELL' using the outward wiggling motion, followed by 'YOUR NAME', often raising your eyebrows to indicate a question.

2

Please spell it slowly.

Sign 'PLEASE', then 'SPELL', and finish with the sign for 'SLOW', emphasizing the spelling motion to request clarity.

3

I can spell that word.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'CAN', and then use the wiggling hand motion moving outward for 'SPELL'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign used for magic spells?

No, this sign specifically refers to spelling words with letters. For a magic spell, you would use a different sign, often involving a throwing or casting motion.

Does it matter which direction my hand moves?

Yes, your dominant hand should move outward, away from the center of your body. If you are right-handed, move it to the right; if left-handed, move it to the left.

Can I use this sign to mean 'fingerspell'?

Yes, this sign is commonly used to mean both 'spell' and 'fingerspell' in ASL, as fingerspelling is the primary way to spell words in the language.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!