Welcome to our guide on how to say “What is your name?” in American Sign Language (ASL). In this comprehensive guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of asking someone their name in ASL. We’ll also provide various tips and examples to help you understand and utilize this phrase effectively. While ASL is a visual language and regional variations exist, we’ll focus primarily on standard ASL to provide a broader understanding.
Table of Contents
Formal Way of Asking for Someone’s Name
When you want to ask for someone’s name in a more formal setting, such as during introductions or meetings, you can use the following ASL phrase:
Formal:
WHAT YOUR NAME?
(Point to the person) YOUR NAME WHAT?
To sign this phrase formally, you can follow these steps:
- Start by raising your eyebrows slightly to indicate a question.
- Next, hold your dominant hand, palm facing upward, at chest level.
- Using your non-dominant hand, point toward the person you’re addressing.
- With your dominant hand, form the fingers into an index finger and touch it to your chin.
- Finally, move your dominant hand outward and slightly upward, maintaining a questioning facial expression.
Remember, when signing “WHAT” in ASL, use a small, circular motion with your dominant hand, starting at your forehead and ending near your chin. This conveys the meaning of “what” in the ASL context.
Informal Way of Asking for Someone’s Name
In less formal or casual settings, such as when meeting friends or peers, you can adapt the phrase slightly to have a friendlier tone. Here’s how you can sign it informally:
Informal:
“HEY, YOU NAME WHAT?” or “YOU NAME, WHAT?”
(Point to the person) NAME YOU WHAT?
This informal way of asking for someone’s name is done using similar steps as the formal way, but with a slight modification to your facial expression and delivery. Make sure to use a more relaxed and friendly tone while signing, and feel free to use “HEY” to establish a casual atmosphere.
Tips for Asking “What is Your Name?” in ASL
1. Maintain Eye Contact
When signing “What is your name?” in ASL, it’s important to maintain eye contact with the person you are addressing. This helps establish a connection and ensures effective communication.
2. Fingerspell If Necessary
Sometimes, if the person has a unique or unfamiliar name, it might be necessary to fingerspell their name. Make sure to practice your fingerspelling skills to accurately represent the letters of their name using the ASL alphabet.
3. Stay Patient and Be Open to Corrections
ASL is a complex language, and everyone has different signing styles or regional variations. If you’re unsure about a particular sign or receive corrections, stay patient and open to learning. It’s a great opportunity to expand your ASL vocabulary and improve your signing skills.
Examples
To better understand the signs and their usage, let’s go through a couple of examples:
Example 1: You’re attending a formal event and want to introduce yourself. Approach someone you’d like to meet, sign “WHAT YOUR NAME?” using the formal form, and watch for their response. Remember to pay attention to their handshape and movement during fingerspelling, if required.
Example 2: You’re at a casual gathering with friends and you meet someone new. Use the informal form of the question, signing “HEY, YOU NAME WHAT?” in a friendly manner. Make sure to adapt your signing style to match the casual atmosphere.
Remember, practice is essential when learning ASL, so take every opportunity to interact with Deaf individuals or join ASL classes to enhance your signing abilities.
