My ASL Dictionary has a cartoon of Uncle Sam illustrating the ASL hand sign for the Country of the UNITED STATES. For the ASL hand sign for STATE, this post features a cartoon of America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, chosen for his supportive role in the founding of Gallaudet University.
On April 8, 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed the Enabling Act authorizing the Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind to grant post-secondary collegiate degrees. The first opportunity in the world for deaf students to have, in Lincoln’s own words, “a fair chance at the race in life”.
While missing his famous Top Hat, Lincoln stands with a Gallaudet University’s Chapel Hall weathervane behind him. I.D.D. for the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb (At that time, Dumb meant inability to Speak).
The side of the S hand touches the fingers of the opposite palm, then arcs down to the palm’s heel.
Movement is similar to the hand sign for LAW.
#ASL #signlanguage #state #lincoln #gallaudetuniversity #cartoon #myasldictionary
