I think it makes a lot of sense if ASL is your first or primary language. Because your sign name would be your real name in your language. The finger spelled name is a name in a foreign language. It reminds me of several Chinese friends I have who all pick English names to make it easier for people around them
Your philosophy behind the preference for giving your sign name first and then fingerspelling it afterward makes so much sense! It seems like the usual way is actually giving spoken/written culture precedence, an idea which even as someone outside Deaf culture makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I loved when you said that you do it the other way, giving your sign name first, even though it confuses people, because it made me really respect you for going out there and breaking the “rules” in small ways that might help pave the way for change.
Thank you! It is a hard habit to break, I still catch myself doing this sometimes agh! I've noticed that when I slip into this habit, it's in an environment where there's a lot of new people and I'm meeting them on my own (or through someone that I'm not very familiar with). If it's someone that I'm meeting through a good mutual friend, I feel more comfortable breaking the rules I guess? :P
I've mentioned this (last name bit) one too many times and often teased friends who are interpreters themselves. They became colonized with this one. If I may share my perspective how did we (Deaf) gotten so attached to this lingo? Many years ago, many of us came from residential schools (known as deaf, ASL-friendly schools) were drilled on how we fill out our names on applications during the early age. The application includes this format, First name & Last name. Most of us instinctively memorized our first names but not last names due to communication barrier in our immediate family members (only 10% came from deaf folks) during our upbringing. When we enter school, we are drilled to memorize our last name, hence "Rogan, last name Shannon" because we didn't know our last names. Years have passed, the disclosure of our identity has passed over. We are "stuck" with this hilarious method of disclosure. My folks were able to confirm my perspective, so do my grandparents. Its institutional of deaf thingy, me believes.
Further thoughts on first/last names: some names can be both first and last names and some cultures are used to saying their last names first or only. Maybe this wasn’t a factor when the norm developed but it might be a situation where it is helpful to use it!
I've never had anyone add 'last name' that's so crazy. also the sign name first makes loads of sense! I don't have a sign name and therefore can't implicate this in my life but if I ever do get one I'll be sure to introduction myself in that way.
Interesting! I am a second-language learner, so I'm not sure how much my perspective counts, however knowing ASL for the past 5 years, I have come across many deaf that use this form of introduction. I feel that after reading this information, that it might be related to the upbringing of deaf children at residential schools. I have primarily noticed the use of "last name" in older deaf rather than individuals in their 20's or 30's, this might be something interesting to research. Another thing to note would be that some individuals simply sign "LAST" and don't include the sign "NAME", especially when the context elicits an introduction, or the persons first name was already stated.
I think it really depends on how the person grew up. Parental emphasis on English or SEE does play a role. it also depends on where they went to school and how their teachers/interpreters signed. But I do think that if you are using asl the sign name should be first.
Hi, this doesn't really apply to me personally but I'm interested to know your thoughts. If a hearing person had been given a sign name (by a Deaf or HoH person of course) do you still prefer introducing their sign name first, even if they're not actively a part of the Deaf community? Love these videos by the way! :)
That's a good question! Someone else asked something similar a while back, and my answer is still the same. It's up to the person to do whatever they're most comfortable with, but it'd be cool if they did their sign name first, since you're conversing in sign language.
funny bc technically even hearing people don't introduce themselves that way- as in, they just say their name verbally, they don't explain the spelling of their first name unless it's relevant. (you can guess, but english is not phonetic and most english speakers don't have english names anyway, for example, so not really). so... why even fingerspell your name...?
I think you should do your sign name first. This is the way it is done in your language. Just as a speaking person from France may introduce themselves the way they are used to in their native language. As someone always learning ASL, I want to learn the native ways of a language, so to speak. I am not even a fan of the way ASL is "translated" as it makes it more difficult to learn. I would rather it be translated directly and we speaking folks can get used to how it is structured and I wouldn't have to read a bunch of extra subtitles that don't really directly apply to what was signed. So stick with what is native to your language I think is my philosophy. 👍😁
I think it makes a lot of sense if ASL is your first or primary language. Because your sign name would be your real name in your language.
The finger spelled name is a name in a foreign language. It reminds me of several Chinese friends I have who all pick English names to make it easier for people around them
Your philosophy behind the preference for giving your sign name first and then fingerspelling it afterward makes so much sense! It seems like the usual way is actually giving spoken/written culture precedence, an idea which even as someone outside Deaf culture makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I loved when you said that you do it the other way, giving your sign name first, even though it confuses people, because it made me really respect you for going out there and breaking the “rules” in small ways that might help pave the way for change.
Thank you! It is a hard habit to break, I still catch myself doing this sometimes agh! I've noticed that when I slip into this habit, it's in an environment where there's a lot of new people and I'm meeting them on my own (or through someone that I'm not very familiar with). If it's someone that I'm meeting through a good mutual friend, I feel more comfortable breaking the rules I guess? :P
Thank you for your opinions, interesting
I've mentioned this (last name bit) one too many times and often teased friends who are interpreters themselves. They became colonized with this one.
If I may share my perspective how did we (Deaf) gotten so attached to this lingo?
Many years ago, many of us came from residential schools (known as deaf, ASL-friendly schools) were drilled on how we fill out our names on applications during the early age. The application includes this format, First name & Last name. Most of us instinctively memorized our first names but not last names due to communication barrier in our immediate family members (only 10% came from deaf folks) during our upbringing.
When we enter school, we are drilled to memorize our last name, hence "Rogan, last name Shannon" because we didn't know our last names.
Years have passed, the disclosure of our identity has passed over. We are "stuck" with this hilarious method of disclosure.
My folks were able to confirm my perspective, so do my grandparents.
Its institutional of deaf thingy, me believes.
That's an interesting perspective!
Further thoughts on first/last names: some names can be both first and last names and some cultures are used to saying their last names first or only. Maybe this wasn’t a factor when the norm developed but it might be a situation where it is helpful to use it!
I always see people fingerspell first and then do their sign name, but I think what you said here makes sense!
Stephanie Pushman Agree^^
I've never had anyone add 'last name' that's so crazy.
also the sign name first makes loads of sense! I don't have a sign name and therefore can't implicate this in my life but if I ever do get one I'll be sure to introduction myself in that way.
Abby Sams it happens more than you think!
Of course, nothing you can do if you don't have a sign name but nothing wrong with that!
Interesting! I am a second-language learner, so I'm not sure how much my perspective counts, however knowing ASL for the past 5 years, I have come across many deaf that use this form of introduction. I feel that after reading this information, that it might be related to the upbringing of deaf children at residential schools. I have primarily noticed the use of "last name" in older deaf rather than individuals in their 20's or 30's, this might be something interesting to research. Another thing to note would be that some individuals simply sign "LAST" and don't include the sign "NAME", especially when the context elicits an introduction, or the persons first name was already stated.
Any perspective is welcome! About what you've noticed, I agree. Sean Gerlis, who commented below, said something along the same lines.
Excellent vlog! I into myself that way with sign name first then fingerspell my English name without saying last name _____.
Cheers!
I think it really depends on how the person grew up. Parental emphasis on English or SEE does play a role. it also depends on where they went to school and how their teachers/interpreters signed. But I do think that if you are using asl the sign name should be first.
Hi, this doesn't really apply to me personally but I'm interested to know your thoughts. If a hearing person had been given a sign name (by a Deaf or HoH person of course) do you still prefer introducing their sign name first, even if they're not actively a part of the Deaf community? Love these videos by the way! :)
That's a good question! Someone else asked something similar a while back, and my answer is still the same. It's up to the person to do whatever they're most comfortable with, but it'd be cool if they did their sign name first, since you're conversing in sign language.
That makes a Whole lot of sense lol :)
funny bc technically even hearing people don't introduce themselves that way- as in, they just say their name verbally, they don't explain the spelling of their first name unless it's relevant. (you can guess, but english is not phonetic and most english speakers don't have english names anyway, for example, so not really). so... why even fingerspell your name...?
Sign name should definitely be said first. I also really really want a sign name, but that's neither here nor there.
I think you should do your sign name first. This is the way it is done in your language. Just as a speaking person from France may introduce themselves the way they are used to in their native language. As someone always learning ASL, I want to learn the native ways of a language, so to speak. I am not even a fan of the way ASL is "translated" as it makes it more difficult to learn. I would rather it be translated directly and we speaking folks can get used to how it is structured and I wouldn't have to read a bunch of extra subtitles that don't really directly apply to what was signed. So stick with what is native to your language I think is my philosophy. 👍😁
that's glossing, i get what you mean but it makes sense for translating your actual pooint
me deaf yes you cool