Notably, the bent ‘N’ handshape is similar to the handshape used in some regional signs for [HANDSOME] or [ATTRACTIVE]. While not explicit, Deaf signers often comment that DiMarco’s name sign “fits his face” – a commentary on aesthetic coherence. This blurs the line between name sign and compliment, a feature rare in arbitrary name signs.
The Iconicity of Identity: A Linguistic and Sociocultural Analysis of Nyle DiMarco’s Name Sign nyle dimarco name sign
Within Deaf social media, using DiMarco’s descriptive name sign rather than fingerspelling “N-Y-L-E” signals insider status. Hearing ASL students who use an arbitrary ‘N’ tap are immediately marked as outsiders. DiMarco has publicly corrected hearing interviewers who attempted to assign him a different sign, asserting the Deaf community’s right to name its own. Notably, the bent ‘N’ handshape is similar to