How to sign
A in ASL
The letter A is a fist with the thumb resting along the side of the index finger. It's the first letter of the manual alphabet and the base of many other signs.
- Single sign
- One hand
- Handshape: A hand
- Shoulder height, palm out
- Alphabet
How to sign a
- 1
Close your fingers into a fist.
- 2
Rest the thumb straight along the side of the index finger, not across the front.
- 3
Palm faces the person you're spelling to.
Common mistakes
- Wrapping the thumb across the fingers. That's S.
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with A. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “Fingerspell A.”
Questions about “A”
A keeps the thumb along the side of the fist. S wraps it across the front of the fingers.
Guide
ASL Alphabet
Learn all 26 letters of the American Sign Language alphabet with real video for every handshape, the letters beginners mix up, and how to fingerspell your name smoothly.
From the blog
ASL vs BSL: Why American and British Sign Language Are Different Languages
They share almost no signs, use different alphabets, and come from different histories. What that means if you are choosing which to learn.