Note: this page only contains verbal information about the alphabet itself. As yet no images are available. For other information on sign language, see BANZSL or American Sign Language.

The alphabet

• A: The outstretched index finger of one hand is placed on the thumb of the other.
• B: The index fingers and thumbs of each hand form circles which touch each other.
• C: The fingers and thumb of one hand form an arc.
• D: The fingers and thumb of one hand form an arc that is placed against the outstretched fingers of the other.
• E: The outstretched index fingers of one hand is placed on the index finger of the other.
• F: The outstretched index and middle fingers of each hand are laid over each other.
• G: The two fists are placed on top of one another.
• H: The fingers of one hand makes a sweeping action on the palm of the other towards the fingers.
• I: The outstretched index finger of one hand is placed on the middle finger of the other.
• J: The outstretched index finger of one hand traces the shape of the letter 'J' on the palm of the other.
• K: The curled index finger of one hand is placed against the outstretched index finger of the other.
• L: The outstretched index finger of one hand is laid on the palm of the other.
• M: The outstretched index finger, middle finger and ring finger of one hand are laid on the palm of the other.
• N: The outstretched index finger and middle finger of one hand are laid on the palm of the other.
• O: The outstretched index finger of one hand is placed on the ring finger of the other.
• P: The index fingers and thumbs of one hand forms a circle that is placed against the index fingertip of the other.
• Q: The curled index finger of one hand is hooked around the index fingers and thumbs of the other hand forming a circle.
• R: The curled index finger of one hand is laid on the palm of the other.
• S: The curled little fingers are hooked around one another.
• T: The outstretched index finger of one hand is pressed against the side of the palm of the other.
• U: The outstretched index finger of one hand is placed on the little finger of the other.
• V: The outstretched and widely separated index finger and middle finger of one hand are laid on the palm of the other.
• W: The fingers and thumbs of both hands are interlaced.
• X: The outstretched index fingers of each hand are laid over each other.
• Y: The outstretched index finger of one hand is placed at the angle formed between the outstretched fingers and thumb of the other.
• Z: The side of the palm of one hand is laid on the palm of the other.

Notes

• Signs may be made with the left or right hand as the dominant hand, but the roles do not usually switch while fingerspelling. The dominant hand generally acts as a pointer (or 'pen') while the secondary hand acts as 'paper'.
• The vowels A, E, I, O and U are formed by touching each digit respectively, starting with the thumb.
• The letters C, D, J, K, P, Q, T, V, X and Y make the shape of the letter itself.
• The letters B, F, G, L, M, N, R, S and W suggest the shape of the letter.
• The letters G, L and R suggest only the lowercase form of the letter.
• Only the letters H and Z do not have a strong relation to their shape or position in the alphabet.
• Many letters appear backwards (for example in right-handed fingerspelling: R will appear backwards, and D will often appear backwards to the viewer). This is not a mistake or a problem, and your signing does not need to be adjusted to compensate.
• The instructions on this page alone do not provide enough information to learn the two-handed manual alphabet. Some information on orientation and handshape is missing.

Another Two-hand manual system

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The signer holds the wrist of the receiver. The receiver's hand is relaxed, with the palm open and fingers slightly apart. The signer uses their dominant hand like a pen to sign on the non-dominant hand of the receiver. As a beginner, you may squeeze the wrist of the receiver between words since you will spell haltingly. Once you can spell fluidly, simply put a short pause between words. AEIOU are the pads of each finger

• A: Touch the pad of the thumb
• B: The fingers and thumb squish together and tap (firmly) the palm
• C: Draw your finger along the edge of the thumb and up the index finger (shape of a C)
• D: Touch the index finger at the tip and the first knuckle
• E: Touch the pad of the index finger
• F: With your index and middle fingers together, touch the middle of the outside of the index finger (capital F has two crosses)
• G: Place a closed fist on the palm (GOD Dammit! *slam fist down*)
• H: Sweep your hand across the palm extending all the way to the tips of the fingers (hhhhhh is a soft sound)
• I: Touch the pad of the middle finger
• J: Touch the pad of the middle finger, and draw a J towards the thumb (looks like a J, and is similar to fingerspelling J)
• K: With a curled index finger, touch your knuckle to the first knuckle of the index finger (forms the shape of a K)
• L: Lay your index finger diagonally across the palm from the base of the index finger (lower-case l)
• M: Lay three fingers across the palm diagonally (m touches the line it sits on in 3 places; this is similar to fingerspelling M)
• N: Lay two fingers across the palm diagonally (n touches the line it sits on in 2 places; this is similar to fingerspelling N)
• O: Touch the pad of the ring finger
• P: Pinch the pad and nail of the index finger (P for pinch)
• Q: Hook your curled index finger around the thumb
• R: Place your curled index finger on the palm, off to one side (away from the thumb) (looks like lower-case r)
• S: Hook your curled index finger around the pinkie finger
• T: Touch the side of the hand with an index finger (side opposite the thumb) (T for touch)
• U: Touch the pad of the pinkie finger
• V: Place your index and middle ifngers on the palm wide apart, forming a V (looks like V)
• W: 3 ways to do this; all are acceptable, but your receiver might not know them all. 1:Interlace your fingers with theirs 2:Grab all their fingers from the side (if your hand is folded over, their index finger lays across the first knuckles of your hand) 3:Grab their fingers from the top (if your hand is folded over, their fingertips lay across the first knuckles of your hand)
• X: With an index finger, touch the side of the index finger in the middle (forms an X)
• Y: Draw a line across the palm diagonally from the base of the index finger (like drawing the tail of a y)
• Z: Draw a Z across the palm (is Z)

• Numbers are spelled
• "Yes" is 2 taps on the palm with all 4 fingers
• "No" or "start this word over; I've made a mistake" is a rubbing motion across the palm several times quickly

This is often used by people who are deaf-blind, and can easily incorporate more ASL signs if the receiver knows them and can feel what you are signing.

References

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• BSL fingerspelling photographs
• British Deaf Association Fingerspelling Cards
• Royal National Institute for the Deaf Animated Fingerspelling Page
• British Sign Language font