ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

American manual alphabet

Okay kiddo, have you ever seen someone use their hands to talk to someone who can't hear or speak? That's called sign language! And within sign language, there's something called the American manual alphabet.

This alphabet uses your hands to represent the letters of the English language. So, if you want to sign your name or spell a word, you can use this alphabet to do it.

For example, if you want to sign the letter "A", you make a fist with your thumb tucked in, and then stick your index finger straight up to make a pointy "A" shape.

But it's not just about the letters themselves. The American manual alphabet also uses a few handshapes to represent two-letter combinations, like "TH" or "SH". So if you want to sign "TH", you put your thumb between your index and middle finger, and then stick your pinky and ring finger straight out.

It might seem tricky at first, but with practice you can learn to spell whole words or even sentences with your hands using the American manual alphabet. And then you can communicate with people who might not be able to hear or speak in a whole new way!