'It's Who I Am': Why Name Signs Matter in ASL - July 2021

'It's Who I Am': Why Name Signs Matter in ASL

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/16/arts/kamala-harris-name-sign-language.html

The article is about the use of American Sign Language (ASL) and the importance of name signs. It begins talking about the process to come up with a name sign for Vice President Kamala Harris. Kamala Harris, the first female, first Black and first South Asian Vice President of the United States, has a unique name that poses a challenge in ASL, as there is no specific sign for her name. The article explores the different ways ASL users have attempted to spell out her name, including using the signs for each syllable, or using a modified version of the sign for "justice." The article highlights the creative and adaptive nature of sign languages, as well as the importance of representation and inclusion for deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in politics and other public spheres.