also: しもんじ
noun
fingerspelling; finger alphabet
Refers to the system of representing letters of a written alphabet using hand shapes, used in sign language communication.
聴覚障害者は指文字を使って名前を伝えることがある。
Deaf people sometimes use fingerspelling to convey names.
指文字を覚えると、手話の語彙が増える。
Learning the finger alphabet expands your sign language vocabulary.
手話 is the broader term for sign language, while 指文字 specifically refers to fingerspelling, a component of sign language used to spell out words letter by letter.
Compound of 指 (finger) and 文字 (character, letter), literally 'finger letters'. The reading ゆびもじ is the more common kun'yomi-based reading, while しもんじ uses the on'yomi for 指.