Paper short abstract:

The poster presents some possible etymologies of two place names in Estonian Sign Language (EVK). The first name sign (NS) I'm going to observe denotes to the Estonian country (ESTONIA) and the second one to the South Estonian city (TARTU).

Paper long abstract:

Estonian Deaf folk group consist approximately of 1,400-1,500 people.

Deaf people's names as well their name lore reflecting strongly their vernacular culture.

In Estonian Sign Language (EVK) has been at least 2 NS throughout history denoted to the Estonian country. According to the oral history the old sign ESTONIA is motivated from Estonian physiognomy - a large robust chin. This NS not used in contemporary EVK anymore.

There is a statement according to a contemporary NS ESTONIA is loaned from Swedish Sign Language (STS), which is not relevant. Hypothetically present NS is related to the old one with some phonological changes.

The NS TARTU denoting South Estonian city is two-handed sign formed with the identical handform. There are also variants formed with repeated movement. According to the lore the NS refers to the Tartu city coat of arms. But the Deaf name lore proposes also another etymological explanation. According this one TARTU indicates to the old cannons from the Northern War, placed on Toome Hill.

Interestingly the NS TARTU in Latvian Sign Language (LZV) (photo in Latvian Sign Language dictionary from 1962) supports Deaf name lore denoting to the cannons.

It seems that the older NS for Tartu was loaned from EVK to the LZV. This older NS TARTU from 1960thies, formed with two different handforms, differs from present NS for Tartu.

I will claim that both two are vernacular Estonian place NS and have phonologically changed throughout history. Changes in phonological structure affected to create more appropriate local place name lore.