2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the BBC program Doctor Who. As a fan of the science-fiction series, My ASL Dictionary contains cartoons of the Time Lord’s 13 incarnations. Using these characters to illustrate sign language also fits as the first intention of the Doctor Who program was to be educational.
In the summer of August 2013, my Time Lord collection began with an illustration of the First Doctor, played by actor William Hartnell.
With the stern face this grandfather would show both opponents and companions, the Doctor illustrates the ASL hand sign for SERIOUS. The tip of the index finger twists on the chin, like drilling in a serious point, as this Doctor would do weekly for his young audience in his 134 episodes.
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Actors Richard Hurndall and David Bradley also played the role of Hartnell’s first Doctor for Doctor Who specials and documentaries. Perhaps in the future, if I have time, I’ll have each picture also use BSL, as these characters are from a British program and would be using British Sign Language, not ASL.
