The American Sign Language Phrase Book (53 page)

Fingerspell "A-O-L" and "M-S-N."

Fingerspell TV and CABLE.

Fingerspell CABLE.

Fingerspell "H-D T-V."

Fingerspell FAX.
Fax
is another example of a word borrowed from English through the lexicalized fingerspelling process that has taken on the appearance of a single sign. With frequent usage, signers have added movement, dropped letters, or altered palm orientation to certain lexicalized fingerspelled signs, which is the case with the word
fax
. The letters "F" and "X" move toward the signer's chest, the letter "A" has been dropped, and the palm orientation of the letter "X" has been shifted toward the signer's chest. Lexicalized fingerspelled words do not follow the rules of regularly finger-spelled words (e.g., P-T-A, D-V-D, S-S-I). Refer to the Appendix for more information on the manual alphabet.