Introduction to Irish Sign Language through the SCA

ISL Lesson Contents

The Alphabet of Irish Sign Language, Learning how to Fingerspell

We need ISL signers to help contribute to this site!

Learners of any signed language are highly encouraged to learn from a Deaf teacher. However, in the interest of getting more SCAdians involved in Sign Heraldry sooner rather than later, lesson plans may be edited to teach sign language in a SCAdian context.

These lesson plans are constantly being edited and added to. If you are an experienced signer and would like to contribute to editing lesson plans or your Sign Language SCA Dictionary, please contact Nicasia Leontodes via Facebook Messenger or via email at 249551@members.eastkingdom.org.

Introduction to ISL

The Alphabet of Irish Sign Language, Learning how to Fingerspell

Irish Sign Letters
The Irish Sign alphabet is very similar to ASL's alphabet.
A, N, M, S, and T are all fist letters.
- Try fingerspelling SAM. MAT. TAN. SAT. MAST.
C, E, O are all somewhat rounded letters.
- You already know some other letters. Try fingerspelling CAN. CANS. SEAM. TEAM. TAME. MOST. STEAM. ASCENT.
  - Starting at 1:04 in the video, rules for fingerspelling double-letters:
    - Three "right" ways to fingerspell two of the same letter in a row.
      1. Slide
      2. Tap
      3. Arch/Arc
    - Try fingerspelling CANNOT. COMMA. TATTOO.
- F, G; U, V; P, W; H, K, Q; B, L; I, Y are all letters that have a handshape similar to another letter in the ASL alphabet.
  - You already know some other letters. Try fingerspelling FAUVIST, FASTING, SNAFU, PAINTS, WINK, THINKABLY, HASTILY, SAINTLY
- J and Z are traced (I is here because J starts from the same place as I so they're easy to learn together).
  - You already know some letters. Try fingerspelling ABSOLUTIZE, JEALOUSY
- What's left? D, R, X.
  - You already know some letters. Try fingerspelling SUBORDINATELY, INEXORABLY, DEXTROUSLY

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Ceci est le site officiel du Sign Herald de la Society for Creative Anachronism. Copyright © 2025 Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Les droits d'auteur de certains contenus appartiennent à leurs contributeurs originaux. Les liens vers des sites web tiers ne constituent pas une approbation, et la SCA n'est pas responsable de leur contenu. Ce site web et les données qu'il collecte sont régis par la politique de confidentialité de SCA.org. Pour signaler un problème concernant le site web, veuillez contacter le Webmaster du Sign Herald.

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