Finger-spelling is the representation of each letter of the alphabet by a sign -- so there are signs for A to Z. It is also interesting to note that many signs use handshapes based on finger-spelling, and that occasionally abbreviated finger-spellings become signs. For example, group is made by making a horizontal circle with flat hands, while family is done with a similar gesture, but with the F handshape (index and middle fingers straight, other fingers completely bent).