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In American Sign Language, Disney Isn't Goofy

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The Associated Press

Published: July 28, 2008

LAKE BUENA VISTA - How might you say Mickey Mouse in Spanish?

Mickey Mouse will do - after all, it's a proper name.

What about in American Sign Language?

That's a different challenge. Spelling out Mickey Mouse with finger-spelling gestures gets tedious in a hurry.

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.

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.

"To create that consistency from interpreted show to interpreted show, and also from interpreter to interpreter, there is that need to create signs that are unique to a character or unique to a location," said Jones, operations manager for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts' services for guests with disabilities.

Like any unfamiliar word that's spoken and heard for the first time, a new signed word might be gibberish the first time someone encounters it. But by the second or third use, people usually figure out its meaning, Jones said. The new signs - developed with the help of consultants, notably ASL Services in Kissimmee - are always used in context and are often spelled out, too, the first time they're used. And Disney has tried to make most of them obvious-looking.

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.

Walt Disney World received the National Association of the Deaf's Access Award for the sign language interpretation and other programs.

Most of Disney's signs incorporate a facial expression - something Disney always has demanded of its resort employees in almost any role.

When Jones demonstrated the Mickey Mouse sign, he emphasized the expression.

"It's this," he said as he put his hands above his head, "but you always have to smile when you do it."

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