Name Signs

What are the ways that name signs can be given to Deaf children?

1. A parent gives their child a name sign Since most Deaf children have hearing parents that don't sign, they receive their name through: 2. Deaf adults 3. Sometimes children's peers in the school and community

Changing Sign Names List situations where a sign name may change or be modified

1. Two people in the same community have the same sign name 2. An individual enters a professional career where it's considered more appropriate to spell their last names or to use the initial of their last name rather than their first name

When is a name sign used?

1. When referring to a person 2. When pointing a person out

What is an arbitrary sign name?

An arbitrary sign uses the initial of a person's first or sometimes their last name. The handshape of the initial, along with its contact point, location and movement are rule-governed to create possible and acceptable sign names

In the US, descriptive sign names are mostly used among (who) and for what purpose?

Children and young adults, to identify others such as teachers or houseparents in school

What is a descriptive sign name?

Descriptive sign names are derived from a physical or behavioral characteristic of a person (Examples: "dimples," "frizzy hair," "big eyes," "laughs a lot") Sometimes, descriptive name signs are derived from what the person's written name refers to (Example, a person who's last name is Fish might get a sign name implying "Fish")

T/F - People usually keep their descriptive sign names

F - Although some people may keep them, they are usually shed in adulthood for the more arbitrary sign names

T/F - You can give yourself a sign name

False - It is not appropriate to give yourself a name sign. It is only properly given after you have been involved in the community on an on-going basis and is based on need and familiarity

Supalla (1992) suggests that the arbitrary naming system originated from who?

Nineteenth-century Deaf educators such as Laurent Clerc. (During this period in France, signs incorporating the initial fingerspelled letter of a corresponding spoken word were used in Deaf schools. This may have transferred to US schools for the Deaf, where teachers probably encouraged initialized name signs among the pupils)

Be wary of non-traditional sign names: What are these?

These usually combine the initial from the person's name with some descriptive feature or interest of the person.

How have non-traditional sign names become more common?

They may be the result of the increasing number of students taking ASL and asking their teachers or Deaf friends to give them a sign name or taking it upon themselves to come up with their own

What is a name sign not used for?

To address the person directly

T/F - There is a growing trend among Deaf parents to give descriptive sign names to their children in American Deaf communities

True