The sign "AA" in American Sign Language (ASL)
Alcoholics Anonymous: The fingerspelling of "AA" is commonly used
in the Deaf community to refer to "Alcoholics Anonymous" in specific and
alcoholism in general. For example, if you refer to someone as being "AA" (by
pointing to the person or to the absent referent space of the person) and then
sign "AA" it generally means that the person is somewhere on the spectrum of
being an alcoholic.
Also see: ALCOHOL
Notes:
African American [acronym version] Context is important. The
letters "AA" don't always mean Alcoholics Anonymous! I recently watched a
video in which the signer signed AA to refer to the "African American Community"
(by following the letters AA with the sign commonly labeled as "CITY" which can
also mean "community"). Important: check with, respect, and follow your local native Deaf Black Community's preferences!
For more information, see: National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) https://www.nbda.org/
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