Signs Have Parts

Signs Have Parts

In order to better understand sign, we needed to be able to perform all of our signs correctly. Professor Carl showed us that signs have different parts: Hand shape, palm orientation, and location. Depending on whether or not the sign is a noun also dictates whether or not you perform the sign one or two times. If the sign in a verb, you perform it once. For a noun, the sign is done two times.

Carl’s Example:

SIGN: GOOD

	H (Onset Hold)	M (Movement)	H  (Coda Hold)	D (Double movement)
Hand shape	B		B	N/A
Palm Orientation(s)	In	Away From signer	In	N/A
Location(s)	Chin Contact		Chin Proximal	N/A

Patty’s Examples:

SIGN: HAPPY

	H (Onset Hold)	M (Movement)	H  (Coda Hold)	D (Double movement)
Hand shape	B/B		B/B	Y
Palm Orientation(s)	In	In and Up	In	Y
Location(s)	Chest		Chest	Y

SIGN: LEARN

	H (Onset Hold)	M (Movement)	H  (Coda Hold)	D (Double movement)
Hand shape	O/B		O/B	N/A
Palm Orientation(s)	Down/Up	Upward	Out/Up	N/A
Location(s)	Chest Proximal		Forehead/Chest	N/A

As the signs become more detailed (more steps, movements, whether or not they repeat) the above chart has to be changed to accomodate room to list additional movements. This is a great way to break down signs and become more familiar with them. It helps to see signs easier as well as perform them.