Question

In American Sign Language (ASL), what do the hands on the statue of Abraham Lincoln spell out?

Answer 1

The hands on the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial do not spell out anything in American Sign Language; they are posed expressively to convey his contemplative nature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hands on the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. do not spell out anything in American Sign Language (ASL). While there is a popular myth that Lincoln's hands are signing his initials, 'A' and 'L' in ASL, this has been debunked by historians and experts on the memorial.

The sculptor, Daniel Chester French, modeled the statue's hands to be expressive and convey Lincoln's contemplative character, rather than to spell out letters in sign language. Daniel Chester French is also known for creating a statue featuring Dr. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet using sign language, which may contribute to the confusion.