American Manual Alphabet - Letters and Digits

Letters and Digits

The letters and digits are signed as follows. In informal contexts, the handshapes are not made as distinctly as they are in formal contexts.

• A

• B

• C

• D (formal)

• D (informal)

• E

• F (informal)

• G

• H (seen from the side)

• I

• J

• K

• L

• M (formal)

• M (informal)

• N (formal)

• N (informal)

• O

• P

• Q (seen from the side)

• R

• S

• T

• U

• V

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

• 7

• 8

• 9

Not shown are J and Z, which involve motion. J is I with a twist of the wrist, so that the little finger traces the curve of the printed form of the letter; Z is a G moved back and forth, so that the index finger traces the zig-zag shape of the letter Z.

In most drawings or illustrations of the American Manual Alphabet, some of the letters are depicted from the side to better illustrate the desired hand shape. For example, the letters G and H are frequently shown from the side to illustrate the position of the fingers. However, they are signed with the hand in an ergonomically neutral position, palm facing to the side and fingers pointing forward.

Several letters have the same hand shape, and are distinguished by orientation. These are "h" and "u", "k" and "p" (thumb on the middle finger), "g" and "q" and, in informal contexts, "d" and "g/q". In rapid signing, "n" is distinguished from "h/u" by orientation. The letters "a" and "s" have the same orientation, and are very similar in form. The thumb is on the side of the fist in the letter "a", and in front for "s".