Sign Language – Sign Names
One aspect of deaf culture is the use of personal “sign names.” These names often reflect the person’s character. I don’t really have a sign name myself; some people just call me “J,” drawing a letter J in the air. A forum member asked a question about the use of sign names, and forum members responded in the selected statements below: “I have a question I have been wondering about for a while. I want to select a good ASL ‘short form’ of my name to use. (rather than spelling C-A-I-T-L-Y-N each time…) I have seen the names of some of my friends, and I have an idea of what I want to use, but I am not sure if it might already be a sign for something else, or if it’s appropriate. I am very musical: I sing, play piano, oboe and lots of other things. I also used to dance a lot when I was younger. All around I am very creative and artsy and musical.
