Giving Yourself A Sign Name?

Question

My family has a trend of losing their hearing as they age. I figure if I learn sign on my own, they'll all pick it up despite their disinterest. I generally consider myself hard of hearing but it's just processing problems because of my ADD and there's no way to know if my ears will hear less as I age. **What level of offended will the community be if I give myself a sign name?** I often use my name for emphasis when telling stories.

Answer 1

I do not believe the community as a whole will be offended, but I do want to stress the cultural importance of having another deaf individual assign you a sign name and would discourage you from giving yourself one. Do your best to step into the Deaf community and make some friends who perhaps share the same ideas that you do. This will not only improve your signing, but give you even more perspective and insight into the deaf world.

Answer 2

Maria,

Typically, and as a general rule, in the culture you should acquire your sign name from deaf people whom you associate with. Sign names are given to you either by your parents at birth if you are born to deaf parents or by school mates or school personnel when you go to school with other deaf students. If you are hearing or in your case becoming deaf or hard of hearing later in life you really should wait until you are given a sign name by members of the community who you associate with after you learn ASL. This would be the more culturally acceptable way to acquire a sign name.

I hope this helps. There is a book entitled, I believe Sign Names by Dr. Ted Supalla you could look it up in the library or Amazon. This book would explain in depth about sign names and the types of sign names that are traditional and acceptable within the Deaf community. Often if hearing individuals create their own sign name it will often not follow the rules that govern acceptable sign names.

Hope this answers your question and best wishes as you learn ASL and enter into the Deaf community.

Regards

Bill N.

Answer 3

Hi, what a good question to ask about signing name. I had experience students asking me similar and when they "can" get or create a sign name. Creating an sign name would give you an identity and you may become more motivated to learn more sign language. Signing name is very unique to deaf/ hoh community. I have two signing name. The one signing name I grew up using JA for whole of my life was given from my deaf parents who able identified my twin brother and I. His signing name "JT" means Justin and mine is "JA" means Jonathan. Just finger spell the word J.A. without (.) that was my signing name for almost 25 years of my life...but then I wanted to change new signing name is more descriptive than arbitrary. Four years ago, I went to France there are large deaf communities there using descriptive sign name rather than letter word signed name. I decided to change my sign name to "4" movement twice on my head it shows my hair spiked. I always had it that way for long time. It is my personality. I can help you with that if you want. I am good with giving people sign name. You can have more than one signing name and have a story to tell how you grown learning about language and deaf culture as you learn too.

There are two categories of signing name: arbitrary and descriptive. Quote "One category of name signs is called arbitrary and the other is descriptive. Arbitrary name signs are made up of common signs, typically made up using the first letter, for names that are used more widely within the Deaf community. While common and easily identifiable to others, arbitrary name signs are not necessarily "personalized" to each individual.  In contrast to arbitrary name signs are the more unique or personalized name signs called descriptive name signs. Descriptive name signs can be more personalized to the individuals because the sign usually indicates some distinctive physical feature. Descriptive name signs can also be assigned based upon unique characteristics such as employment, characteristics of body movement, or personal tendencies. While both arbitrary and descriptive name signs are taken seriously within Deaf culture and are only given after collaboration, unlike a name on a birth certificate, name signs can change as a person ages." from lifeprint.com.

Answer 4

Sign names are usually given by members of the Deaf community to their children or individuals who they have invited to join their community, such as interpreters. If you were to give yourself a sign name you may be embarrassed when asked by a Deaf person who gave you your sign name.

I would recommend asking a Deaf person in your area who you regularly associate with to give you a name.

Answer 5

Usually, Deaf people take time to assign name signs to people. In proper Deaf Culture, you should not give yourself a name sign. They would not be offended if you did, they just prefer to get to know you and then give you a name sign. It also shows how involved you are in the community if you wait for someone to give you one.