Deaf Awareness Month: The Art and Purpose of Sign Names
Matters Disability Updated: 15 September 2025 12:43 EAT
Sign names are an important part of Deaf culture and are used to identify people without having to fingerspell their full names.
Unlike spoken names, a sign name is not chosen by the individual but is given to them by another member of the Deaf community. This tradition is a way of showing acceptance and inclusion into the community.
The process of creating a sign name is more of an observational one. A member of the Deaf community will observe a person to find a unique, distinguishing characteristic.
This distinguishing trait can be a physical feature (like dimples or curly hair), a specific mannerism (like fiddling with hair), a hobby, or even a profession.
For example, if you have curly hair, wear spectacles, or have broad shoulders, a sign might be created to highlight that feature. An initial sign, using the first letter of a person's name, points to that highlighted feature.
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