Namesigns are signs that are used as people's names. They are
specific signs that refer to specific people.
If you spend enough time in the Deaf community eventually you will
receive a name sign from your Deaf friends or associates.
It is best to get your name sign
from a skilled native signer who is familiar with the Deaf people in
your area and knows whether a particular name sign is already being
used.
In general, only people who are culturally Deaf should give name
signs to others. The reason you should get your name sign from a Deaf person
skilled in ASL and active in the Deaf Community is because such individuals
have enough experience to know if a potential name sign is
grammatically correct and culturally acceptable Getting
your name sign from a Deaf person who is active in the Deaf community helps insure
that the new name sign doesn't conflict with existing local name signs.
Discussion notes:
A native Deaf ASL teacher sent me the following. (Adapted with
permission).
Three important things to know about name signs:
1. Name signs are given by a Deaf person. Discuss difference
between "deaf"
and "Deaf."
In some cases a hearing person has to do the giving of a name sign.
A mainstreamed Deaf ed teacher for instance. But that teacher must
be aware of the rules.
2. Name signs are either arbitrary or descriptive.
3. "Combined" name signs are not acceptable.
Question:
What's an example of a combined name sign that
breaks the rules?
Answer:
"A combined name sign is a combination of an initialized sign name
and a description--i.e. someone named Alejandrina with curly long
hair might have the "500" handshape name waving down her head and it
would be fine--she could also have an "A" handshape on the chin and
it would be fine--but making the same down the head movement to show
the waves with an "A" hand shape would breach the ASL rule of name
signing. Basically that is very much a SEEism."
Dr. Bill's notes:
While "combo name signs" are "out there" and "used by many"
they are not encouraged in
(classic / traditional) Deaf Culture. While there are many Deaf
people (and ASL teachers) who still give out combined name signs
(first letter of name combined with some personality
characteristic),
this is not reflective of the classic (golden days) of Deaf
society nor the emerging resurgence of respect for
classic/traditional ASL.
A native Deaf signer sent the following:
A "combo name sign" is describing a person's physical feature or
personality with a handshape corresponding to the first letter of
person's name. For example:
Paul "P" as in sign for laugh: the handshape P. On side of the mouth
as if you're signing laugh. (That's a combined sign and a no-no)
Laura "L" as in having long eyelashes: the handshape L in a sweeping
motion near the eye. (Combined)
Bev "B" as in "happy". (Combined)
Instead stick to either descriptive namesigns WITHOUT the manual alphabet
letter, (for example, it's ok to use a bent 5:HS as a name sign for Missy who has curly
hair),
OR
Stick to arbitrary with the first letter of person's name without
meaning (for example- the letter N-shaken in space in
front of the signer. )
Many native Deaf are particularly sensitive to combined signs.
The use of combo namesigns is like saying that ASL language
rules are insignificant and/or that the person is "hearing
minded." (Not familiar with the way Deaf do things.)
- (name on file)
Notes: Other reasons why combo namesigns are not popular:
1. Deep seated values based on appreciation of and respect
for the type of signing done by native ASL users.
2. A recognition that excessive initialization tends to be
used by novice or low level signers.
3. Combo signs are laborious and cumbersome or just simple
like the visual representation of
fingernails-on-the-chalkboard effect.
Discussion notes:
1. It is important to respect the deep seated values based on appreciation of and
respect for the type of signing done by native ASL users.
2. There are physiological reasons for the grammatical rules
that apply to namesigns. Human
brains are prefer visually effective and efficient
signing.
3. Grammar rules emerge according to deep seated values based on appreciation
of and respect for the type of signing done by native ASL users
because such signing is visually effective and efficient.