To sign "Valerie," you will fingerspell each letter of the name. Form the letters V-A-L-E-R-I-E using your dominant hand. Keep your hand steady at about shoulder height with your palm facing outward, and focus on smooth transitions between the letters.
Sign 'MY', 'FRIEND', 'NAME', and then smoothly fingerspell V-A-L-E-R-I-E.
Sign 'PARTY', fingerspell V-A-L-E-R-I-E, and sign 'COME' while raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.
Sign 'I', 'NEED', 'CALL', and then fingerspell V-A-L-E-R-I-E to complete the sentence.
Sign 'MY', 'FRIEND', 'NAME', and then smoothly fingerspell V-A-L-E-R-I-E.
Sign 'PARTY', fingerspell V-A-L-E-R-I-E, and sign 'COME' while raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.
Sign 'I', 'NEED', 'CALL', and then fingerspell V-A-L-E-R-I-E to complete the sentence.
Yes, unless you are referring to a specific person named Valerie who has been given a unique name sign by the Deaf community. Otherwise, fingerspelling is the standard way to introduce or refer to someone by name.
Speed is less important than clarity. Focus on forming each letter clearly and smoothly. As you practice, your speed will naturally increase, but beginners should always prioritize being understood.
Yes! You should always fingerspell with your dominant hand. If you are left-handed, use your left hand, keeping it steady near your left shoulder.
