How to Sign Your Name in American Sign Language (ASL): A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to ASL

Learning how to introduce yourself in American Sign Language (ASL) involves more than just learning the signs. It requires a blend of understanding body language, facial expressions, and even name signs. This article will guide you through the steps to properly sign your name in ASL, including the methods to do so.

Method 1: Introducing Yourself in ASL

1. Make a 'Hello'

Begin by signing a 'Hello'. You can do this in several ways, but one common method is to make a Closed Handshape. Alternatively, you can just wave your hand near your head in small motions. This acknowledges the other person and sets the stage for your introduction.

2. Sign 'I'

Once you’ve greeted, move on to signing 'I'. To do this, place your hand on your chest near the center. Some people prefer to point; in this case, they would touch their index finger to their breastbone. Both signs are used, with the pointing sign often meaning 'I' as a noun.

3. Sign 'Me'

Sign 'Me' by extending your index and middle fingers with the rest of your fingers folded down as though you were fingerspelling 'U'. Turn them on their side so the index finger is on top, and place the fingers of your dominant hand on top of the fingers of your other hand, tapping lightly twice. This forms a sort of 'X' shape in front of you.

4. Fingerspell Your Name

Now, fingerspell your name. Keep your hand in a steady position in front of you. Fingerspell at a steady rate—more important is to move smoothly than quickly. Pause briefly between words if you are signing your full name. If your name contains two identical letters in a row (such as the Os in 'spoon'), sign them together.

5. Put It Together

Practice this sequence again in a smooth motion. A formal introduction may not have a verb (for example, 'I introduce myself as'.): I Me [Name sign/fingerspelling]

6. Add Body Language to Show Emotion

Adding body and facial expressions to your sign language makes your communication much more engaging and understandable. Try to look welcoming, put on a small smile, and open your eyes a tad wider. By the time you finish signing your name, you should look like you're genuinely excited to be introduced.

7. Insert Your Name Sign (Optional)

If you are being introduced formally, you typically stick with fingerspelling. However, in a more casual setting, you might change the introduction to include a name sign: I Me [Name sign]

Method 2: Earning a Name Sign in ASL

1. Start with Fingerspelling

A name sign is unique to a person and only given by a Deaf person. Before earning a name sign, you can introduce yourself by fingerspelling your spoken name. First, learn how to fingerspell the ASL alphabet from online videos or a Deaf contact. Fingerspelling is straightforward: simply sign each letter in turn, holding your hand in the same position in front of you.

2. Learn About Name Signs

There are three main types of name signs:

Arbitrary Name Sign: One common way to create a name sign is to form one hand into the fingerspelled letter that begins your name. Tap this letter a couple of times against a specific spot on your body (usually your forehead, cheek, chin, shoulder, or chest). Alternatively, you can move your hand between two nearby locations or move it back and forth in a specific way. Descriptive Name Sign: These name signs reference a characteristic, usually an obvious one. For example, you could sweep your hand along a scar on your face or twirl your fingers down past your neck to refer to your long hair. Novice signers often prefer these because they seem more fun. However, it's even more difficult to make one up on your own. Signed languages use a visual grammar that limits hand shape, location, and movement. Hybrid Name Sign: A sign that refers to a physical characteristic, but uses the hand shape for the first letter of your name. This type of name sign is common in many Deaf circles, but some people see it as a modern sign that doesn’t fit in the traditional naming system. Trying to invent one of these yourself could come across as annoying or rude, even more so than inventing a different type of name.

3. Allow Deaf People to Name You

When a prominent Deaf adult gives you a name sign, she has decided that you are a part of the Deaf community. This process can take years of friendship and is a significant moment in a non-native signer's life. It's important to respect and accept the given name sign; inventing one yourself can lead to several risks:

A hand shape or motion that is difficult to follow or breaks grammar rules. A sign that looks like a rude word. A local signer might already be using that name sign. Your name sign might look like the name of a prominent person. It goes against Deaf culture for a Hearing person to create their own name sign.

4. Watch Names Change and Multiply

If you learn ASL and get to know experienced signers, you might notice people referred to by multiple name signs. This usually happens when they receive a name sign from several different communities. Over time, a name sign might shift in location or hand shape to keep it apart from a similar name, make it faster to sign, or remove a reference that has become embarrassing or irrelevant.