How do you convey a person’s name in American Sign Language? We spoke to a group of people who created an ASL name sign for Kamala Harris to find out. nyti.ms/3hP1VH1
Name signs in deaf culture are more than just shortcuts to identify someone without having to spell out a name in full. They are an expression of a person’s identity, and are unique to the individual.
Name signs can reference an individual’s appearance, interests or general attitude.
Some people might have multiple name signs over time, while others will have the same throughout their life.
Name signs can only be assigned to an individual by a deaf person. But that doesn’t mean that you have to accept a name sign if you feel it doesn’t fit you.
Celebrities, historical figures and people in positions of power may be given name signs, too. Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris received one that was created by a group of five Black and Indian women. nyti.ms/3hP1VH1
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.