This cheat sheet covers the American Sign Language fingerspelling alphabet, common everyday signs, numbers, family signs, and important expression notes. Students need it as a quick reference for learning handshapes, building simple conversations, and practicing respectful communication. It is useful for beginners because it groups signs by purpose and gives clear cues for remembering them.
The ASL alphabet uses one handshape for each English letter, and fingerspelling is used for names, places, and words without a known sign. Many everyday signs combine handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and facial expression. Numbers and family signs follow patterns, so learning the rule behind the sign helps students remember more than one word at a time.
Key Facts
- ASL signs are made from five main parts: handshape, location, movement, palm orientation, and facial expression.
- Fingerspelling uses the ASL alphabet from A to Z, with each letter shown by a specific handshape.
- The letters J and Z are traced in the air, so they require movement while most other ASL letters are held still.
- Fingerspelling is commonly used for names, places, titles, and words when you do not know the sign.
- ASL numbers 1 through 5 are usually shown with the palm facing the signer in everyday counting.
- ASL numbers 6 through 9 are made by touching the thumb to a different finger while the other fingers stay extended.
- Many family signs use the forehead area for male signs, such as father and brother, and the chin area for female signs, such as mother and sister.
- Facial expression is part of ASL grammar because raised eyebrows, lowered eyebrows, head movement, and mouth shape can change the meaning of a sentence.
Vocabulary
- ASL
- American Sign Language is a complete visual language used by many Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the United States and parts of Canada.
- Fingerspelling
- Fingerspelling is the use of ASL alphabet handshapes to spell words letter by letter.
- Handshape
- Handshape is the position of the fingers and thumb used to form a sign.
- Palm orientation
- Palm orientation is the direction the palm faces during a sign, such as toward you, away from you, up, or down.
- Nonmanual signals
- Nonmanual signals are facial expressions, head movements, and body movements that add grammar and meaning to signs.
- Sign space
- Sign space is the area in front of the body where signs are usually produced clearly and comfortably.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing up similar letters, such as A, S, and T, is wrong because small thumb and finger positions change the letter completely.
- Moving every fingerspelled letter is wrong because most letters are held still, while only letters such as J and Z require traced movement.
- Ignoring palm direction is wrong because the same handshape can mean something different when the palm faces another direction.
- Signing too low, too high, or outside clear sign space is wrong because it makes signs harder to see and understand.
- Leaving out facial expression is wrong because ASL uses the face and body as part of meaning, not just as decoration.
Practice Questions
- 1 How many letters are in the ASL fingerspelling alphabet, and which two letters require movement?
- 2 If a student practices 5 everyday signs, 4 family signs, and 10 number signs, how many total signs did the student practice?
- 3 Fingerspell your first name slowly, then count how many letters in your name use a closed fist handshape or a mostly closed handshape.
- 4 Why is facial expression important when signing a question or showing emotion in ASL?