Friday, July 04, 2008

Sign Language is Part of Disney's World

This is something I don't know before. I mean, I know they have services for hearing-impaired guests, but I didn't know that they had invented a number of Disney-specific signs.

Throughout Walt Disney World, stage shows, parades and a few of the other attractions offer American Sign Language Interpretation services, at least once a week, for deaf and hearing-impaired visitors. Everything at Disney has a name, and the company has never been shy about inventing its own words, which is why it has invented hundreds of Disney-specific word signs.


Of course, some of these signs are rather obvious for anyone who knows about Disney.

How about this instead? Walt Disney World manager Mark Jones curls his fingers on both hands, thumbs on the bottom, to form opposing "C" figures, places them on top of his head, and then smiles.

Chances are, most people -- hearing or deaf -- would get the improvised mouse ears as the sign for Mickey Mouse -- even though Disney officials made it up themselves.


I will have to learn the sign language for Donald.

Donald Duck? Jones gave the sign for the letter D, then formed a beak with one hand, straight fingers on top, thumb on the bottom. He put the back of his hand to his lips, and then flapped his thumb.


Zz.

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