American Sign Language: "cochlear-implant" Many people just spell "CI" to mean "cochlear implant. The original sign that was used for this concept was to jab behind the ear with a "bent-V" handshape. (Some people even do the sign with a "bent-U" handshape.) A short while back I noticed a 14-year old girl (who attended the California School for the Deaf (CSD) in Fremont) using a "bent-U" on the cheekbone in-front of the ear (almost in the ear canal) to mean "HEARING AID." So I can see how tapping the fingertips of a bent-U" behind the ear could become popular to mean "Cochlear Implant. (Time will tell.) I notice that when I do the sign with a "bent-V" I tend to use a single movement--which causes the sign to mean "implanted." As in, "He has been implanted." Sort of makes it seem like we are talking about someone in whom aliens have taken an interest. Initially the use of "CI" (fingerspelling "C" and "I") was simply a "euphemism" -- (a polite way of saying "cochlear implant) since it was less "graphic." As time passed, the sign "CI" has gained widespread use. For now I want my students to know both versions of "cochlear implant" -- the fingerspelled "CI" version as well as the "IMPLANTED" (bent-V) version. The traditional sign for "cochlear implant" uses a "bent V" handshape. Poke your head behind your ear. COCHLEAR IMPLANT: COCHLEAR IMPLANT: (side view) You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!) (You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.) Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore." Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT > Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language: "cochlear-implant"

Many people just spell "CI" to mean "cochlear implant.

The original sign that was used for this concept was to jab behind the ear with a "bent-V" handshape. (Some people even do the sign with a "bent-U" handshape.)

A short while back I noticed a 14-year old girl (who attended the California School for the Deaf (CSD) in Fremont) using a "bent-U" on the cheekbone in-front of the ear (almost in the ear canal) to mean "HEARING AID." So I can see how tapping the fingertips of a bent-U" behind the ear could become popular to mean "Cochlear Implant. (Time will tell.)

I notice that when I do the sign with a "bent-V" I tend to use a single movement--which causes the sign to mean "implanted." As in, "He has been implanted." Sort of makes it seem like we are talking about someone in whom aliens have taken an interest.

Initially the use of "CI" (fingerspelling "C" and "I") was simply a "euphemism" -- (a polite way of saying "cochlear implant) since it was less "graphic." As time passed, the sign "CI" has gained widespread use.

For now I want my students to know both versions of "cochlear implant" -- the fingerspelled "CI" version as well as the "IMPLANTED" (bent-V) version.

The traditional sign for "cochlear implant" uses a "bent V" handshape. Poke your head behind your ear.

COCHLEAR IMPLANT:

COCHLEAR IMPLANT: (side view)

You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars

Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!)
(You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.)

Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore."

Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT >

Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >