-SUMBUNY
"Hi, I agree with most of what everyone is saying about the name sign, although, when you are working with small children, I think you need to find a name sooner than later, and most teachers will give you one, for in the room. The kids that age I don't think understand the whole aspect of choosing a name sign for you. A good friend who is deaf will help you find one for yourself. Good luck with the working with the kids, It is so exciting to work with them!!"
-CHICKIEBABY3
"To the best of my knowledge, I believe that it is customary for Deaf people to give name signs to hearing people. I suggest that you go to Deaf/ASL events in your area. After you make a few Deaf friends, they will give you a name sign that will suit your personality. Since it's their language, it up to them to come up with new signs.
You're also right, if you make one for yourself, it may already have another meaning. But this is common for name signs. There can be one name sign and several people use it. For example, I've met three different women with the name "Rose", and all their sign names were the same, a combination of an "R" handshape and the sign for the flower "rose".
-INSPIRE31
"I'm Vicki & my name sign is "V" in wavy movement near my hair because I have long wavy hair. Hang in there, you will have a great name sign soon."
-4MY2KIDZ
"All I can tell you is that there is no correct way to sign your name. The way I sign mine is an M followed by the sign for singer. There's really no correct or incorrect way to sign your way. But I can tell you that you should go ahead and sign your name this way."
-JONNIEGOODBO
"Normally, the name sign is GIVEN to you by a Deaf person. If you are required to choose one for a class you are in, try using your first initial, and placing it in an area that is used by a descriptive sign.....for example mine is an "L" to the right of the chin, where "mama" would be signed.
A name sign is really so that you can be referred to in a conversation without constantly spelling your name. It is highly unlikely that you will figure one out that many other people don't use, so don't stress about it."
-OJAILAURIE
"Culturally, Deaf people are the only people who should make up any sign. It doesn't matter if it is a name sign or any other sign. We hearings are not natives to this language and should not take it upon ourselves to create any new words even if it is our own name. Culturally, Deaf people are the only ones who should give you your name sign. Mine was given to me by friends up at NTID. If you wait and get to know a Deaf person, then it will feel more special having your name sign come from someone who is a native speaker. Being an interpreter, I was taught about the importance of NOT crossing cultural lines in the Deaf community."
-NTIDDEARIE
"It really saddens me to see things like, 'you can't give a sign name to yourself.' Not everyone thinks this way and I am told it is more of a tradition than a "law." Some feel it is like saying only someone else can give you a nickname. If that was the case, my friend Christopher would always be that, Christopher, because his friends don't call him anything but that. What if he just wanted to be Chris? In other languages, there are sometimes different pronunciations of the name you have...however, in sign language, it is "necessary" to find a sign to symbolize your name.
