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Deaf Culture: Name signs
Also see: namesigns (2)
Also see: namesigns (3)

Also see: namesigns (4)
 

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.