What you need to know:
Namesigns are signs that are used as people's names. They are
specific signs that refer to specific people.
For example, my name sign (Bill Vicars) is a "V" tapped on the side of the
head, (palm forward, the side of the index finger makes contact twice).
It was given to me by Boley Seaborn as a "V" tapping on the top of the head,
and later modified "to the side of the head" by Sandra Thrapp, (both Deaf
friends of mine).
In the Deaf world, assigning name signs is generally considered to be the
prerogative of Deaf people. The word prerogative means "an exclusive
right or privilege held by a person or group" (dictionary.com).
Which
is to say, traditionally "Hearing people" should not give themselves name
signs. Instead they should get their name sign from a Deaf person
skilled in ASL and active in the Deaf Community.
This helps insure
that the new name sign doesn't conflict with existing local name signs.
--Dr. Bill Vicars
Discussion notes:
An ASL teacher writes:
Three important things to know about name signs:
1. Name signs are given by a Deaf person. Discuss diff btwn deaf
and Deaf.
In some cases a hearing person has to do the giving of a name sign.
A mainstreamed deaf ed tchr in this 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.
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Question: What's an example of a combined name sign that
breaks the rules?
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Answer:
(Name on file: explains:)
"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."
Bill responds by addressing his wife and cc'ing the group:
Hey, Belinda,
You might want to read Richard's explanation and example of the
breaking of a namesign rule.
Seems to me your name sign (one of them anyway) fits
that "broken rule." (A "B" showing your long hair.)
Oh, wait, my namesign is a "V" meaning bald! That is a
combo too. Uh oh, our son, Logan's name sign is an "L" that
means cute. Oh no, Kelsey's name sign is a "K" that shows her
dimple!
Well over half the people I know have "combined" namesigns.
(Initialized/Descriptive).
What am I missing here?
Seems to me that combining an initial and a description is
actually pretty standard.
I hereby coin a new word: "initiaphobia."
The fear of initialized signs.
Initiaphobia is generally spread by Deaf militant prescriptive
ASL teachers.
Heh. (Let's chat in person about this one eh?)
I love you all.
-Bill
Bill,
hahaha, you CRACK me up! You are darn lucky that V, K, and L all are
acceptble to the beholder. They all look like 100% arbitrary name
signs. The whole point is the gut feeling that Deafies have when it
comes to whether the name sign is Deaf-nuff.. Most combo signs looks
AWFUL. True biz. I am pretty much flexible when it comes to ASL,
Deaf culture , and what not. I think you should know it by now. But
too combo-ish, I cringe. For example, President Monson's name
sign... nah, not good. Know?
Nikki
Nikki,
I agree, certain namesigns really "feel" wrong.
Let's set our minds to analyze these things and get to the root of
them and provide examples of "what works" and "what doesn't." We
state clearly: This is the general rule and here are examples of
exceptions. Plus we point out that not everyone agrees. We provide
guidelines of what is "deaf enough." You and I know that Belinda's
old name sign "feels" off, but we need to be able to explain WHY it
feels off.
--Bill
Bill,
There's a general rule with exceptions, true. Most combo signs are
instinctively wrong to a Deaf person. Why? Not because it is combo
or because its initialized, it is because the movement runs counter
to the natural/preferred method. That's why some SEE signs are
accepted and eventually borrowed and some aren't. Its more of the
unnatural movement than merely initiaphobia. Grin.
Nikki
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