namesign means A special sign in sign language that uniquely identifies an individual person. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 92 out of 100.
Why “namesign” is a great word
A distinct, unitary sign in a sign language, created for and used as a personal identifier for a specific individual, from a compounding of name (a word or set of words by which an individual is known) and sign (a gesture used in sign language). Unlike fingerspelling, which laboriously borrows orthographic form, or a generic sign name, a namesign is a core lexical sign bestowed by a community. It is a flick of the hand by the temple for the curious, a specific motion near the chin for the bearded, a quick double tap on the shoulder for the steady friend—a point of identity crystallized from air into a knowing gesture.
Etymology
From name + sign.
noun
- A special sign in sign language that uniquely identifies an individual person.“One way that deaf Taiwanese assign namesigns is by producing the established sign for a surname and adding the appropriate gender marker for the intended referent […]”