To sign *Obama*, start with your dominant hand in an 'O' handshape near your shoulder, with your palm facing forward. Move your hand outward to the side while smoothly opening your fingers to transition into a flat 'B' handshape. The movement is a single, crisp motion that is often described as looking like a flag unfurling.
Sign 'Obama' followed by the signs for 'president' and the number '44'.
Sign 'I read book' and then finish with the sign for 'Obama'.
Sign 'You vote' and then use the sign for 'Obama', raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.
Sign 'Obama' followed by the signs for 'president' and the number '44'.
Sign 'I read book' and then finish with the sign for 'Obama'.
Sign 'You vote' and then use the sign for 'Obama', raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.
Yes, this sign was widely adopted by the Deaf community during his presidency and has become the standard ASL name sign for Barack Obama.
Usually, no. The name sign alone is universally understood to refer to Barack Obama in most contexts.
You can always fingerspell O-B-A-M-A if you forget the sign, but using his established name sign is much more natural and efficient in ASL.
