The article highlights the evolution of finger-spelling in the Estonian language, tracing its origins back to the 19th century. Finger-spelling serves as a vital tool for expressing names, foreign words, and creating new gestures, as outlined by Regina Paabo, an expert in Estonian sign language. Through the use of standardized hand shapes, it allows individuals to "write in the air" without traditional writing materials, effectively conveying visual representations of words, numbers, and symbols.

The piece emphasizes that finger-spelling requires notable dexterity, coordination, and flexibility of the fingers, along with the ability to read the shapes in a mirror image. The practice of finger-spelling is not just about the hand movements; articulation also plays a key role in effective communication. There are approximately 50 known finger-spelling systems globally, each consisting of one or two-handed alphabets.

Focusing on Estonia, the article notes that the current Estonian finger-spelling system was developed in 1963 under the guidance of Olev Saarep, a teacher from the Porkuni School for the Deaf. This system remains in active use today, contributing to the visibility and recognition of sign language within Estonia, and playing a part in the broader context of linguistic diversity and accessibility.