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American Sign Language: "Iran"


IRAN-[A-hand-on-palm-version]


IRAN-[joke-version-ASL-pun]


For those of you who don't get the joke:  The pun combines part of one of the versions of a sign for RUN with a location near the eye. Thus you get "eye run" which is somewhat like "eye ran" -- which is somewhat like "Iran."  I did not make up this pun but it is cute and light hearted and while it should not be considered offensive in any way -- it should also not be used in serious contexts.

 


 

Notes:

Question:
An ASL student writes: Is the ASL sign for Iran disrespectful? It uses a "thumbs down" hand shape. That feels embarrassing. How can I help get it changed? Who should I contact? I'm willing to write dozens of organizations if necessary.

[Editor's note: The question above has been paraphrased to protect the identity of the sender but question is based on an actual question from a student.]

Response:
The American Sign Language sign for IRAN is not at all disrespectful and not at all associated with negativity of any sort — quite the opposite.

Anyone who suggests otherwise is misinformed.

The ASL sign for Iran is generally not associated with any meaning in the minds of most skilled native ASL signers other than simply meaning "Iran."

A subset of ASL users associate the sign for Iran the abundance of oil in Iran. Compare the sign for Iran and the ASL sign for GAS / gasoline / fuel.

However the association of the sign IRAN with the sign GAS is likely a false etymology (origin story).

A much more likely etymology has to do with fact that Iran was the core of the ancient Persian Empire. Iran was the seat of power for a vast area.

Compare the sign Iran with the ASL sign for middle, center, or central.

Thus you will see that the ASL sign for Iran (which also happens to be the international sign) is evidently based on Iran's (or "Persia's") role as one of the first true global superpower states.

Evidence for the ASL sign for Iran being based on the concept of a "central authority or seat of power" can be seen by considering the sign for Tehran (the Iranian "capital" city. You can see the sign at the 44 second mark of the following video: https://youtu.be/5vAurNmvcbA?t=44 Note the similarities between the sign for Tehran (with its status as the "capital city") and the sign for Iran.

Next consider the similarities between the sign for Iran and the ASL sign for "impress." The open-A hand shape is a very strong hand shape and carries a lot of gravitas. The center of the non-dominant palm associated with: standing, being central, medicine, and finance.

Any changes to the sign for Iran should originate from and be grounded in the desires of the skilled native signers of the Iranian Deaf Community.

It is my considered opinion that changing the ASL / International sign for Iran to some other sign would be doing a disservice to the Iranian Deaf Community.

It is challenging to imagine a more respectful and prestigious sign than one made with an "open-A" hand onto the center of the non-dominant hand.



Warm regards,
+ Bill
___________________
William G. Vicars Ed.D.

https://youtu.be/lWgoRSVEz9s
 

 




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