sentence: People use it to spell names, acronyms and other words from spoken languages.
sentences_before: Besides normal signs, many sign languages use fingerspelling. In fingerspelling, each letter in the alphabet of a spoken language has its own sign. Fingerspelling is a tool.
sentences_after: Sometimes people use a fingerspelled word even when there is a normal sign for the same meaning. For example, when talking about a person, a signer might spell their name using fingerspelling.
concept_name: People
headings: Sign language Fingerspelling
categories: Disability Language-related lists