How to Speak Your Name in Libras: 11 Steps

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How to Speak Your Name in Libras: 11 Steps
How to Speak Your Name in Libras: 11 Steps

Video: How to Speak Your Name in Libras: 11 Steps

Video: How to Speak Your Name in Libras: 11 Steps
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When communicating with a member of the deaf community, one of the first things you should do is introduce yourself. However, universal sign language is rarely used and is not considered a practical or reliable means of communication. Therefore, this article will teach you how to speak your name in Brazilian Sign Language. It is important to note that these instructions will not be useful in most other countries.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Presenting Yourself in Sign Language

Step 1. Signal a "Hi"

Form a “0” with your hand and lift your pinky finger up simultaneously.

Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 2
Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 2

Step 2. Flag "Mine"

With your right hand, form a “5” and lightly touch your chest in the middle region.

Do not point your index finger instead of holding your hand open, as this sign refers to the personal pronoun “I”

Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 4
Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 4

Step 3. Flag your "Name"

Close your hand and keep only your index and middle fingers raised, palm inward. Make a linear horizontal movement from right to left.

Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 5
Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 5

Step 4. Spell your name using the Libra alphabet

Place your hand in a visible position and spell out at a steady pace. The most important thing is to sign the letters in an understandable way.

  • Use brief pauses between one word and another if you are spelling out your full name;
  • In situations where the name has two identical letters in sequence, you must “open” and “close” your hand to signal both. Or, make the sign of the second letter on the opposite side of the first, without changing the hand configuration.

Step 5. Put the words together

Flag the phrase again: "Hi, my name _". Keep the signs in that order.

The verb “Ser/Estar” is almost never used during a conversation in Libras. So don't spell “is” in one sentence

Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 6
Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 6

Step 6. Show your feelings through body language

Body and facial expression is extremely important at Libras. Failing to adapt the body to what is said makes the conversation monotonous and without intonation.

When spelling out your name, for example, smile to show sympathy. Use the facial expression to give intonation the pronoun “my” when using it. And, always make eye contact with whoever you're talking to

Step 7. Reveal your personal sign (optional)

It is not necessary to use this sign, which will be discussed below, in presentations. Generally, you will spell your name when being formally introduced to someone. The personal sign may be used at another time. But, if you are being introduced casually, by a mutual friend, you can say “Hi, my name (spell it), (personal sign)”.

Method 2 of 2: Personal Sign Baptism in Pounds

Step 1. Start with spelling

Since you have no personal sign, introduce yourself by spelling your name. But first, learn the alphabet in Libras through online videos or through contact with people in the deaf community. Spelling your name is as simple as writing it letter by letter. Practice until you are able to signal at a steady pace.

  • In general, sign language is not represented by the alphabet itself, that is, knowing how to spell all the words is not important. Spelling is used in situations where you need to say a proper name or any other word that doesn't have a specific sign;
  • In situations where the proper name is short and easy to spell, this is likely to represent the person.
Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 9
Say Your Name in Sign Language Step 9

Step 2. Know the personal sign

It is a word created in Libras to represent a particular person through their characteristics. A deaf person can designate a sign when they feel you are part of the community.

This sign is symbolized by the first letter of your name, according to the Libra alphabet. With this hand setting you can, for example, touch a scar on your face. Or make a vertical linear movement with your hand to refer to long hair, or an accessory you use frequently. Although it sounds simple, it is very difficult to create a personal sign on your own. Sign language makes use of a visual grammar that is limited to hand configuration, position and movement. That is, unless you've taken a Libra class or been practicing for a long time, the name you've created may not even look like a word

Step 3. Don't create your own sign:

instead, allow a deaf person to give you one. When a deaf person designates a personal sign, it means that you are already considered part of the community. This is the most important moment for a non-native speaker, and in many groups this can take years to happen. And if you're still not convinced, there are several other reasons why the spelling of the name shouldn't be replaced by a self-created sign:

  • It may be that you adopt a difficult-to-understand hand configuration or movement, or you break grammar rules;
  • The sign you create may have a negative connotation;
  • Another speaker may be using this signal;
  • Your sign may look like or the same as that of a famous person. (Imagine a stranger trying to make use of the name Martin Luther King);
  • Furthermore, it goes completely against the deaf culture.

Step 4. Signals change and multiply

If you are a Libra learner and know experienced speakers, you may have noticed that some people can be represented by more than one personal sign. This usually happens when they are named by different communities. Over time, signs end up being reformulated for various reasons: regional issues, to distinguish themselves from others that may be similar, to become easier to symbolize or because they make reference to some embarrassing or irrelevant characteristic.

Tips

  • There are hundreds of sign languages around the world. The Brazilian Sign Language, portrayed in this article, is used only in Brazil. The cultural aspects of the deaf community that were mentioned are also specific and portray the reality of the deaf who live in this country;
  • When communicating with a deaf person, do not assume that they are capable of lip reading. This is not a natural skill for every deaf person and needs to be taught as well as reading, writing, etc.
  • The word “Deaf”, written with a lowercase letter, refers to hearing loss, while “Deaf” with a capital letter refers to the Deaf community and culture as a whole.
  • Use body language to add intonation what you say when speaking in sign language. For example, you can show that you didn't like something by making a disdainful face, or you can frown if you hated something;
  • For simple sentences don't worry about facial expression. A smile followed by “Hi” is all you need.

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