Origins, Formations, Rules, and (Mis)Usage of ASL Name Signs Interpreting I (ASL 3310)

American Sign Language Utah Valley State College

1) What’s wrong with a Deaf • The use of proper names is important to Cases where community is or is not person’s proper name? Why the identity of any community. A human determined by name signs: use a name sign? being isn’t a member of a community • Providence Island in the Caribbean has until s/he has a name. What’s often the a cultural intermix of Deaf and hearing first question asked of parents who have islanders. While all island residents sign, a newborn baby: “So, what did you Deaf islanders do not socially congregate; name your baby?” there is no record of a name sign system and lack of a cultural identity. • ASL name signs in the Deaf Community • As isolated Deaf Chinese school children function differently than English proper were studied in a group situation, they names function in non-Deaf society. began to form complex social structures. Name signs = Identity = Member of Deaf Researchers found that the children Community = Deaf Community independently created a naming system for identification purposes.

2) So where did name signs • The earliest record or evidence of name • Name signs systems have more recently start? What’s the history signs is from the Paris School for the expanded to include hearing people: behind them? Deaf (1755-1817); prominent Deaf and a) more hearing people learning ASL as educators (l’Epeé, Massieu, Clerc) are a second language given name signs. Early records from b) more intercultural marriages 1820s and 1830s Pennsylvania and c) more hearing/Deaf friendships Hartford and Deaf schools describe d) more interpreters and other professional teacher (T. Gallaudet, E. Gallaudet) relationships with Deaf people and student name signs (figure 1a/b). e) more hearing parents of Deaf children signing at onset/discovery of deafness Figure 1a: Descriptive name signs (DNS) for Abbe de l’Epeé, Laurent Clerc • For the most part, name sign systems have always exclusively included Deaf people. There have been traditional exceptions to this rule: a) hearing teachers at residential schools b) hearing children of Deaf adults

Figure 1b: Descriptive name sign (DNS) for Thomas Gallaudet; Arbitrary name sign (ANS) for Edward Miner Gallaudet

3) So what does a name sign Just as there are rules in spoken English for look like? Are there rules to naming items and people (one can’t call a how they are produced? table “Ralph” or Judy “a mattress“), there are also rules for the American (or ASL) Name Sign System:

Arbitrary Name Sign (ANS): Descriptive Name Sign (DNS): • Represents initial of written first, middle, • Uses one classifier to refer to the or last name. Can be combination of physical characteristics of a person one or more initials (see ANS Modifica- (i.e. BUCKTEETH, SCAR-ON-HAND, tion System) PATCH-ON-EYE, etc.) Figure 2: ANS produced in a) neutral space, b) single location, and c) dual location • Does not have an intrinsic or inherent • Must follow proper ASL rules of move- meaning, i.e. “What does your sign mean? ment, location, and handshape. • Does not refer to physical characteristics of a person. • Is produced in one of three places: neutral space, single location, and dual location (figure 2a/b)

7/97, Revised 11/99 3) So what does a name sign There are exceptions to the rules of the • Deaf people may often mix humor, cre- look like? Are there rules to ANS and DNS systems: ativity, or a memorable occasion with the how they are produced? • Sometimes, although a person is part of manual alphabet to create a name sign. (continued) the Deaf Community, s/he may not given These signs do not follow either ANS of an ANS or DNS. If a person’s name is: DNS rules and tend to be: a) short (Lee, Jim, Pat, Jan) or a) used temporarily in private or b) has an easily fingerspelled name, s/he single conversations, or will use a fingerspelled name sign. b) given to a famous person (i.e., NIXON + LIAR = N-LIAR)

4) How does a Deaf or hearing • Name signs are given to a person by What or who determines if a person receives person get a name sign? another Deaf person—not by him/herself. an ANS or DNS? Typically, this depends on Name signs are often given (regulated) who (age and social group) gives the name by an influential leader or authority figure sign. Here are some general preferences: in the Deaf Community. Deaf children of Deaf parents are looked to by their Deaf- Arbitrary Name Sign (ANS) children-of-hearing-parent-peers to • ANSs most preferred by Deaf parents; assume this role. many dislike basing name signs on physical traits. • While Deaf and/or hearing children of Descriptive Name Sign (DNS) Deaf parents receive name signs at • While Deaf children give both ANSs and birth, Deaf children of hearing parents DNSs, DNSs are more popular with chil- typically do not receive name signs until dren; tend to focus on physical traits (i.e. they enter school or even later. (School “KID” > “FAT KID” or “BIG KID”) view: English is better than ASL, therefore ASL is bad. (Name sign=identity.)

5) So, can a person incorrectly • In theory, a name sign is used to identify • As a result, Deaf children and adults create a name sign? a person as a member of the Deaf Com- often give non-traditional name signs munity; ergo, any name sign should be because their signing models, teachers, correct. However, just as English speak- and counselors are novice signers. ers are upset at the mispronunciation of Other reasons that Deaf people give their own name, Deaf people who under- nontraditional name signs: stand correct name sign conventions a) A gradual loss of traditional name sign cringe at the continuing pollution of the knowledge and application. Residential ANS and DNS systems. schools used to be the laboratories for

Figure 3a: Incorrect creation of a name sign based on the idea that name sign creation; Deaf education focus “because Susie winks alot,” her name sign is S-ROTATING-AT-EYE • Many current name signs are incorrect has since been shifted because novice signers devalue the cul- b) Deaf children who are born to hearing tural importance of a name sign by mak- parents have a lack of contact with the ing up name signs “for fun” or by Deaf community. assuming that a name sign must carry c) Although speculative, incorrect name some meaning. This displays a disregard signs purposely identify hearing signers for an important traditional value of the d) A sense of “hearing people have taken Deaf Community. over; give them what they want” Figure 3b: A correct DNS (WINK) or ANS (S-AT-TEMPLE) alternate for Susie

6) How are name signs • Name signs are only used in conversations Name signs may be modified because: actually used? a) where the person is not participating or a) 2 people have the same name sign. is not present and/or The older person keeps his/hers; the b) in a third person reference (i.e., KNOW younger person must modify M-ON-SHOULDER? YOU TELL-him b) A new person moves into the community. ABOUT PARTY TOMORROW? (Can you If another person has the same name tell Mike about the party tomorrow?) sign, the new person must modify (Note: Any question of “Mike who?” is c) A Deaf and hearing person have the eliminated because of the specific same name sign; hearing person modifies

Figure 4: Using the Name Sign Modification System. Modifying an ANS placement of the name sign.) requires an additional initial, generally produced in the same location. ASL Name Sign Modification System: (K-ON-SHOULDER to K-W-ON-SHOULDER) • Name signs are not used at a greeting Arbitrary Name Sign (ANS) (i.e., HELLO E-ON-TEMPLE (Hello, Elaine) • Add additional initial to current name is improper. Using or exchanging name sign, i.e., K-ON-SHOULDER becomes signs at a first-time formal introduction is K-C-ON-SHOULDER (figure 4) also improper. It is not until a more casu- Descriptive Name Sign (DNS) al relationship is formed that it is okay to • Because DNSs are based on character- use that person’s name sign in a third istics, it is rare to find same DNS; no person reference. modification.

References and Bibliography Supalla, Samuel J., The Book of Name Signs: Naming in American Sign Language, DawnSign Press: San Diego, 1992.