[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/fingerspelling/)

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# fingerspelling

noun (fingerspelling, uncountable); verb fingerspell (fingerspell, fingerspells, fingerspelled/fingerspelt, fingerspelling)

«fingerspelling» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Fingerspelling is spelling out words letter by letter with hand shapes, as part of a sign language. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#m1)
2. It is used for names, places and words that have no sign of their own. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#m2)

### In the lessons

In lessons about deaf people, sign language and inclusion, pupils learn to fingerspell their names. British Sign Language uses two hands for fingerspelling; American Sign Language uses one hand. Phrases: «fingerspell your name», «the fingerspelling alphabet».

### Examples

- We learned fingerspelling in assembly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#x1)
- I can fingerspell my name in British Sign Language. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#x2)
- Fingerspelling is used for names that have no sign. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#x3)
- In American Sign Language, fingerspelling uses one hand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#x4)
- British fingerspelling uses both hands. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#x5)
- She fingerspelled the word «cat» slowly so I could follow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#x6)
- A poster of the fingerspelling alphabet hangs in our classroom. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#x7)
- Fingerspelling fast takes lots of practice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/#x8)

### Note

Often written as one word, sometimes «finger spelling». Fingerspelling is only one part of sign language; most words have their own whole signs. Sign languages differ between countries, so BSL and ASL are not the same.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «fingerspelling» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fingerspelling/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fingerspelling» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/fingerspelling.html) on Mova free.