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FLORIDA: The American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "Florida"
 

In a message dated 09/18/11 12:50:25 Pacific Daylight Time, Stephen writes:

Dear Dr. Bill:
I read with fascination your explanations re lexicalized fingerspelling. I have used it but did not know there was a name for it until I read your presentation.
Of course it set my mind to whirring. I never realized before how much it is used by my friends and acquaintances. The thought also hit me that one set of lexicalized finger or written spelling now recognized instantly by both deaf and hearing people when used in-context are the Postal Service's two letter designations for State names. For example, if I sign "I drive FL," the listener knows instantly that I mean that I am driving to Florida. The same is true if I write that "I am driving to FL" in an e-mail; both deaf and hearing people would know that FL means Florida. Nevertheless, the graphic signs for States are still in use. My friends still sign NY by sliding the right "Y" hand over the left palm.
Thanks for your efforts.
Steve K

 



Dear Steve,
While it is true that most people will "recognize" the spelled state abbreviations, you are right about the actual sign being preferred in most cases. For example most of us do Florida not as "FL" but as a lexicalized fingerspelling: "F-L-A."
This particular example is likely also influenced by the fact that fingerspelling "FL" is also a common way to express the concept "foreign language."
-- Dr. Bill

 


 

FLORIDA:

 


 

Places in Florida:

 

MIAMI:

 

TAMPA BAY:

 

ORLANDO:

 


Notes: 
 




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