The sign language alphabet forms the basis of communication in sign language. By understanding and using the alphabet signs, you can spell out words, names, and specific terms that may not have their own unique sign. The letter “S” is important because it is one of the most common letters and used frequently.
Ready to put the letters together? Spell your name in ASL with our free fingerspelling tool: type any name and watch each letter signed, S included. You can also see all 26 handshapes on the ASL alphabet page, and learn how to sign “My name is” to introduce yourself.

Hold your dominant hand in a fist, palm facing outward, with your thumb tucked in front of the fingers.
Tip: S is easy to mix up with A, E and T, the other closed-hand letters. The thumb is what tells them apart. For S, it wraps across the front of your fingers. For A, it rests along the side of your index finger. For T, it pokes up between your index and middle fingers. For E, your fingertips curl down to rest on top of the thumb.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have made significant contributions in various fields throughout history. From renowned artists and writers to accomplished scientists and athletes, their achievements demonstrate the diverse talents and capabilities of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Learn how to sign the rest of the alphabet:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Video Provided by ASLBloom: https://www.aslbloom.com/
Learning to sign is a great start. For the moments that have to be right (a medical appointment, a parent-teacher meeting, a legal conversation) Ava connects you with a credentialed ASL interpreter over video in the Ava app, on demand or scheduled ahead. Available 24/7, with live captions included.