Sign "Computer"?....

yagazn

yagazn

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I notice three different sign for "Computer".

that one on the forehead "C"
that one on the arm "C"
that one on the 10 fingers "C". (look like circle).

What's the actual sign for "Computer"?, the most.
 
As far as I know, all three are correct, it's just regional differences. Here in Florida I was taught the "C" in a circle over the open palm.
 
I signed like Kristina B. I don't know why three different sign "computer". It is like the accent I guess.
 
yagazn said:
I signed like Kristina B. I don't know why three different sign "computer". It is like the accent I guess.
Click to expand...

same thing with English. there are more than 1 words for same thing.

car. automobile. vehicle.
mom. mother. mum. mama.
 
Automobile and vehicle are not the same as each others or to car.

It would be like:

Mom and mom; mother and mudder; ma, maw, mama.
 
In my area (MB Canada) the only sign I've really seen for computer (meaning a desktop or laptop computer) is the "C on the arm" sign.

Rarely I've seen the "C on forehead" but it has a different meaning.
The "C on forehead" sign might be used in two situations:

1) If talking about "human computers" (before modern-day computers some people where called "computers" because they did very fast and complicated calculations etc. in their heads - hence the "C" on the forehead)

2) As a polite term of for a highly intelligent person (instead of a "know it all" which can be used in a derogatory way). In this case the "C on forehead" sign would be used like in English when someone would say someone way like "a walking encyclopædia"/ " a human encyclopædia

I've never seen the 3rd sign mentioned by the OP.



For what it's worth ... The Canadian Dictionary of ASL only lists 2 signs for "COMPUTER" 1) "C on arm" & 2) "C tapping forehead" ... no mention of the 3rd sign , which explains why I've not seen it ;)

I actually think (as do most of my hoh/Deaf ASL friends) that the Canadian Dictionary of ASL is a fantastic "must have" reference even for native ASLers in Canada especially since it includes a lot of the regional sign variations used in the many regions of our wonderful country including Atlantic, Central, Prairie & Pacific !!).
I happen to know a few of the people who contributed to the creation of the dictionary... and the lengths they went to so that we, as a Canadian Deaf people would have an ASL dictionary that we are proud of - but also is truly useful for both ASL students and native/fluent ASL users. They did at great job!
 
In our area it's the C brushing the forearm.
 
I have seen signs with handshape like sick "open 5 with bent middle finger" use both hands and move in circular movement in air simultaneously.
 
yagazn said:
I signed like Kristina B. I don't know why three different sign "computer". It is like the accent I guess.
Click to expand...

In part because, just like in English, there are some times different "origins" for a concept/English gloss etc.

For example with computer. Now it refers to a desktop or laptop system. However from the first invention of the English word(and associated sign) the word "computer" changed to refer to a number of different things such as:

1)Original meaning
A person able to do complicated mathematical calculations in their head (and sometimes with the help of a slide rule)

2)Second generation meaning
A machine that "read" cards that were punched with a special pattern of holes - these cards carried information (sort of like really basic mini computer discs)... the card reader was called a "computer" because is computed things.

3) Third generation meaning
A typewriter like device that had a cassette like device that stored settings etc

4) Current meaning
An electronic device with a hard drive (either magnetic or optical) for storing programs and various files. It also contains a number of hardware components that allow the basic computer "shell" to have additional interface and display features ... this includes a CD/DVD drive, additional harddrives, screen, qwerty keyboard, mouse/trackpad, speakers etc. Current computers come in three main types: desktop, laptop/netbook and tablet.


Because the meaning of computer has gone through transition, the original sign for computer (which in many places was a "C on forehead" or similar concept indicating it was a skill in a person's brain) then transformed as "computers" went from being people, to being a machine that read cards, then to something that you sit at and interface via a keyboard ... it only makes sense that because the meaning has changed so dramatically that the signs would have changes as well. However, as with all languages, the old term isn't (quickly) completely forgotten and some people will prefer a certain sign (or English word) even if its "less popular" or "out of fashion" etc ( English examples would be ""whom","thus","thee","shan't" etc ... they are all perfectly acceptable English words, however they are considered "old fashion" and have been replaced with more modern words ... just as signs are sometimes replaced with more modern/regionally consistent signs.


I hope that helps a bit :)
 
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