To sign "spelling," start by holding your dominant hand in front of your chest in a loose "5" handshape, with your palm facing down and slightly forward. Continuously wiggle your fingers while smoothly moving your hand horizontally outward to the side. The motion should look like your fingers are fluttering as your hand glides away from the center of your body.
Sign "help" by placing your closed dominant hand over your flat non-dominant palm and moving it toward yourself, point to yourself, and then perform the "spelling" sign by wiggling your fingers as your hand glides outward.
Point to yourself to sign "I," then sign "practice" by rubbing your dominant 'A' hand back and forth on your non-dominant index finger, followed by the "spelling" sign moving smoothly to the side.
Sign "please" by rubbing an open flat hand in a circle on your chest, use the "spelling" sign, point forward for "your," and tap your 'U' handshapes together twice to sign "name."
Sign "help" by placing your closed dominant hand over your flat non-dominant palm and moving it toward yourself, point to yourself, and then perform the "spelling" sign by wiggling your fingers as your hand glides outward.
Point to yourself to sign "I," then sign "practice" by rubbing your dominant 'A' hand back and forth on your non-dominant index finger, followed by the "spelling" sign moving smoothly to the side.
Sign "please" by rubbing an open flat hand in a circle on your chest, use the "spelling" sign, point forward for "your," and tap your 'U' handshapes together twice to sign "name."
In ASL, the sign for "spelling" and "fingerspelling" is exactly the same. The context of your conversation will let the other person know if you are talking about English spelling on paper or the physical act of ASL fingerspelling.
You should always use your dominant hand for this sign. If you are right-handed, use your right hand and move it outward to the right. If you are left-handed, use your left hand and move it outward to the left.
Move your hand a comfortable distance, usually about a foot outward from the center of your body. It shouldn't be an exaggerated stretch; just move it far enough to clearly show the flow of the letters.
