doctor
DOCTOR (medical)
In this version of doctor, the right "D" hand taps near where a
doctor or nurse would take a person's pulse. The non-dominant hand (the
left hand if you are right handed) can be either relaxed (curled up a bit) or
flat.
DOCTOR (version 2)
Here's what I call the "medic" version of doctor. It means
the same thing as the "d" version but uses an "m."
Some people might try to tell you that it is a "more ASL" version than
the "d" version. Personally I just think it is a tired old sign
that may hold some sentimental value but should be relegated to a distant second
place, or left behind altogether. I share it with you here just incase you
happen to see it somewhere.
NURSE:
Nurse is an initialized form of the sign "Doctor." It uses an
"N" handshape on your right hand.
There is a difference between the sign for a medical doctor and an "academic"
doctor. While the Deaf community is not overly concerned with titles, if
you are introducing someone to an audience you would simply spell the letters "D-R" and then the name.
In most everyday communication we don't use titles. We use
name signs instead.
Optional reading (not required for class)
Hi Dr.V,I noticed in the sketch of this sign, the left hand is curled, almost closed. Yet in the variation of the 'doctor' 'medic' 'nurse' pictures, the left hand is open.Does it make a difference if the left hand is open or closed? Has the sign evolved to the open hand?Please advise.Thanks,Cathy
Cathy,
It is either. Really.
The "base hand" handshape is immaterial in that sign.
Most Deaf people if we aren't thinking about it will do it with a RELAXED hand
(somewhat curled). If you ask us to "show you" the sign...we will get all
"proper" and tend to do it with a palm-up flat hand. But when just hanging out
amongst ourselves we do it with a relaxed base hand because it takes less
effort.
Dr. Bill