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Fingerspelling (or dactylology) is the representation of the letters of a writing system, and sometimes numeral systems, using only the hands. Thesemanual alphabets (also known as finger alphabets or hand alphabets), have often been used in deaf education, and have subsequently been adopted as a distinct part of a number of sign languages around the world. Historically, manual alphabets have had a number of additional applications — including use as ciphers, as mnemonics, and in silent religious settings.

Contents [hide] 1 Forms of manual alphabets 1.1 Latin alphabet 1.1.1 One-handed 1.1.2 Two-handed 1.2 Other alphabets 2 Fingerspelling in sign languages 3 History 4 See also 5 References 6 External links 6.1 Historic texts

[edit]Forms of manual alphabets

As with other forms of manual communication, Fingerspelling can be comprehended visually or tactually. The simplest visual form of fingerspelling is tracing the shape of letters in the air, or tactually, tracing letters on the hand. Fingerspelling can be one-handed such as in American Sign Language, French Sign Language and Irish Sign Language, or it can be two-handed such as inBritish Sign Language.

[edit]Latin alphabet