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Have you ever wondered about...
HOW DEAF PEOPLE COMMUNICATE (Series 2)
Page 3
FINGERSPELLING
There are other ways that help deaf people see a message. One way
is fingerspelling. just as you use 26 letters of the alphabet to write
words on paper, a deaf person uses 26 handshapes to write words in the
air. Each word is spelled letter by letter.
FINGERSPELLING PRACTICE TIPS:
If you and a friend practice these handshapes, you
can have two-way conversations. Then you can talk
with any deaf people who fingerspell. It's not hard to
learn. Here are some tips for learning to fingerspell.
- Keep your hand close to your shoulder.
- Keep your palm facing out except when a letter
requires a different position.
- Make your letters carefully.
- Don't bounce your hand when changing
handshapes. This will be easy if you put the index finger
of your other hand on your wrist as you spell.
- Spell each letter in one place. Don't move your
hand to the right with each letter. If you spell a word
with a double letter, such as "Sally," then move the
second "I" very slightly to the right as you spell.
When you first practice fingerspelling, putting your index finger on your wrist
will help you keep your hand steady as you change handshapes.
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THE AMERICAN MANUAL ALPHABET
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Your friends see the front of your hand when you fingerspell
to them.
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You see the back of your hand when you fingerspell.
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Reproduced with permission of David 0. Watson, Winneconne, Wis.
54986.
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