Which description best defines lexicalized fingerspelling?

• A. Borrowed from English that looks like a sign; becomes sign-like.
• B. Signs borrowed from other countries.
• C. Used to indicate tense and aspect.
• D. A sign for numbers.

Answer: (A)

In ASL, lexicalized fingerspelling happens when an English word is first spelled with the fingers, but over time the sequence becomes condensed into a single, recognizable sign that functions like a word in the language. It remains rooted in English spelling, yet its form has naturalized into ASL—so it looks like a sign and is used as a unit rather than letter-by-letter. This differs from loan signs, which are signs borrowed directly from other languages and exist as distinct signs. It also isn’t about indicating tense or numbers.