Wiktionary:About sign languages

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Like spoken languages, sign languages (also called signed languages) have their own syntax, etymology, morphology, dialects, grammar, phonology, etc. There are numerous sign languages, generally divided by region. Some popular sign languages included in the English Wiktionary are American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), and French Sign Language (LSF). For more information, see the Wikipedia article on sign language.

Criteria for inclusion

The English Wiktionary shall include entries for signs of various signed languages, as well as translations from English-language entries into signed languages, as described at Wiktionary:Translations. Unlike spoken languages, sign languages are rarely written outside of reference materials and academic publications. Thus, the "clearly widespread use" condition of Wiktionary:Criteria for inclusion (CFI) is considered to be met by any sign that is used by multiple independent deaf communities, and the "usage in permanently recorded media" condition includes any visual media that has been widely distributed, including DVDs, broadcast television, and sign language dictionaries.

Transcription

Sign language transcription systems represent signs with various degrees of fidelity, just as IPA and other phonetic transcriptions can represent spoken languages with broad, phonemic transcriptions or with very narrow phonetic transcriptions that capture details of specific accents. One popular system for transcribing signs is Stokoe notation, designed in 1960 for transcribing American Sign Language (ASL). Stokoe notation represents each sign as three cheremes (or more for compound signs) that occur without regard to timing or sequence, using characters that cannot be easily entered on a standard keyboard (e.g. ∩, Ȝ, and ʘ) and some that cannot be used in Wiktionary entry pagenames due to technical limitations (e.g. [, ], and <). More recent systems transcribe each sign as a sequence of postures, like syllables of spoken languages.

The English Wiktionary uses multiple transcriptions for languages that are not written in the Latin (Roman) script: (a) IPA and similar systems show detailed phonetic or phonemic features within pronunciation sections, and (b) a simple transliteration system used to refer to the term itself, e.g. in Translation sections with {{t|tr=}} and in Etymology sections with {{term|tr=}}. A similar approach is taken for sign language entries, using a detailed transcription in Production sections and a simpler transcription for the sign entry names. Both are modeled after the phonological transcription system devised by Liddell and Johnson.^[1]

Each sign is represented by a series of postures. A posture is a configuration of one or two hands, specifying phonemes for the shape, location, and orientation of the hands involved. The transitions between postures are given as holds and moves. A hold represents a period of time when one or two hands maintain a given posture. A move is an activity of one or two hands when one or more phonemes are in transition from one posture to the next. Nonmanual signals (e.g. the various question faces, “cha” mouthing, and shoulder shift) are described separately. (See Production, below.)

Entry name

Some sign language dictionaries organize signs according to English glosses. Readers must know a sign's meaning in order to locate its entry in such a dictionary. To serve the reader who has encountered a sign but does not know its meaning, the English Wiktionary gives each sign entry name as a rough description of postures, holds, and moves of one or two hands. Each such posture, hold, and move is separated from the others by a space and is itself divided into phonemes:

Handshape@Location-Facing: A posture of the dominant hand. That is, its handshape, location, and facing/orientation.
DominantHandshape@Location-Facing-NondominantHandshape@Location-Facing: A posture of both hands. That is, their handshapes, locations, and facing/orientations.
Move: The dominant hand moves from one posture to the next. The nondominant hand is not in use.
(DominantHandMove)-NondominantHandMove: The nondominant hand moves from the previous posture to the next.

Detailed description of phonemes used in sign entry names

Note: The following list of sign language phonemes may be extended without a vote as additional phonemes are identified.

Moves: The following entry name values specify that the hand moves differently from the usual straight, direct path:

Round...: The hand moves in a round path in a given plane.
Seven...: The hand moves in a large angled path in a given plane, tracing a large "7" path.
...Horiz: Along a horizontal plane, parallel with the ground. The hand moves with a single constant height.
...Vert: Along a vertical plane like the one in front of the signer's body. The hand moves with a single constant distance forward.
...Midline: Along a midline plane, like the one that divides the left side of the body from the right. The hand moves equally far to the left or right.
...Surface: Along a plane parallel to the surface of the body. The hand moves with a single constant distance from the body.
...Oblique: An “oblique plane” is horizontal from side to side but sloped upward in the forward direction.
Slow: The hand moves in a slow path, taking a deliberately long time to reach the next posture.
Fast: The hand moves in a fast, taking a deliberately short time to reach the next posture.
Accel: The hand moves in an accelerating path.
Tense: The hand moves with a tense quality.
Small: The hand moves in a small path.
Large: The hand moves in a large, exaggerated path.
Contact: The moving hand makes contact with the body or the other hand.
Wiggle: The extended fingers repeatedly flex and extend slightly.
Hook: The hooked fingers (those fully extended only at the base joint) repeatedly flex and extend.
Flatten: All bent fingers (those flexed only at the base joints) repeatedly flex and extend at the first joint.
Twist: The hand, wrist, and part of the forearm twist back and forth.
Nod: The hand bends alternately down and up at the wrist.
Release: The thumb repeatedly releases and restrains the closed fingers.
Rub: The pads of the thumbs repeatedly rub the pads of one or more fingers.
Circles...: The hand makes small circles in a specified plane.
Squeeze: The hand repeatedly squeezes together into a fist and opens up.
Sidetoside: The hand moves repeatedly from side to side.
Frontandback: The hand moves repeatedly frontwards and backwards.
Upanddown: The hand moves repeatedly up and down.

Handshapes

A handshape may be one of the following common shapes:

1@...: The ASL '1' handshape. Only the index finger is extended. The thumb is opposed and closed, its pad contacting the closed fingers. (1o-p)
4@...: The ASL '4' handshape. All four fingers are extended and spread apart. The thumb is oposed and closed to the palm. (4o-)
5@...: The ASL '5' handshape. All four fingers are extended and spread apart. The thumb is unopposed and extended. (4u)
Claw5@...: The ASL 'Claw 5' handshape. All four fingers and thumb are spread apart and loosely bent, resembling a claw. (4u)
6@...: The ASL '6' handshape. The little finger is closed, the other fingers extended and spread apart. The thumb is opposed and bent across the palm, restraing the fingernail of the closed finger. (6o^f)
7@...: The ASL '7' handshape. The ring finger is closed, the other fingers extended and spread apart. The thumb is opposed and bent across the palm, restraining the fingernail of the closed finger. (7o^f)
8@...: (8o^f)
9@...: (9o^f)
A@...: (Au^)
OpenA@...: (Au)
B@...: (Bo-)
OpenB@...: (Bu)
BentB@...: (B^u)
C@...: (B~o)
FlatC@...: (B^o)
SmallC@...: a.k.a. "Reduced C" or "Bent L" (1~o)
D@...: (Dot)
E@...: (B"o-)
FlatF@...: (9op)
G@...: (1^o)
H@...: (Ho-f)
I@...: (Io-f)
L@...: (1u)
K@...: (Ko^)
M@...: (Mo^)
N@...: (No^)
O@...: (B~oc)
FlatO@...: (B^oc)
R@...: (Ro-f)
S@...: (So-)
T@...: (To^)
V@...: (Vo-f)
BentV@...: (V"~o-f)
X@...: (1"~o-f)
OpenX@...: (1"~u)
ILY@...: (yu)
Corna@...: (=o-f)

As an alternative to the common handshapes above, a handshape in an entry name may be a combination of the following values:

A...@...: Four fingers closed, pads contact palm.
S...@...: Four fingers closed, tips contact palm.
1...@...: Index finger extended, others closed.
!...@...: Middle finger extended, others closed.
I...@...: Little finger extended, others closed.
Y...@...: Little finger extended and spread, others closed.
=...@...: Index finger and little finger extended and parallel, others closed.
y...@...: Index finger and little finger extended and spread, others closed ^[2]
H...@...: Index finger and middle finger extended and together, others closed.
V...@...: Index finger and middle finger extended and spread, others closed.
K...@...: Index finger extended, middle finger partly open, other fingers closed.
D...@...: Index finger extended, all others partly open.
R...@...: Index finger and middle finger crossed, others closed.
r...@...: Middle finger extended, index finger partly open and crossed under middle finger, others closed.
W...@...: All fingers extended and together except for closed little finger (pinky).
6...@...: All fingers extended and spread except for closed little finger (pinky).
7...@...: All fingers extended and spread except for closed ring finger.
8...@...: All fingers extended and spread except for closed middle finger.
F...@...: All fingers extended and together (not spread) except for closed index finger.
9...@...: All fingers extended and spread except for closed index finger.
B...@...: All four fingers extended and together.
4...@...: All four fingers extended and spread.
T...@...: All four fingers closed, index finger spread by thumb.
N...@...: All four fingers closed, middle finger spread from ring finger by thumb.
M...@...: All four fingers closed, fing finger spread from little finger (pinky) by thumb.
..."...@...: The extended fingers are retracted at the tipard joints to form a hook.
...^...@...: The extended fingers are bent only near the palm.
...~...@...: The fingers are lax. It has a less rigid shape.
...u@...: The thumb is in an unopposed rotation and fully extended, leaving the palm flat.
...u-@...: The thumb is unopposed and fully closed, with the palm nearly flat, the thumb pad facing down toward the wrist.
...u^@...: The thumb is unopposed and bent at the proximal joint, with the palm flat, the thumb against the radial edge of the palm.
...u"@...: The thumb is unopposed and hooked, forming a gap between the thumb pad and the edge of the palm.
...o@...: The thumb is in an opposed rotation and fully extended, with the joint near the wrist flexed so that the thumb base draws inward to make a valley in the palm and the thumb tip may easily contact the tip of any finger.
...o-@...: The thumb is in an opposed rotation and fully closed, pressing against the palm or against any closed the fingers, the thumb pad facing toward the wrist.
...o^@...: The thumb is opposed and bent at the wrist and the base, forming a valley in the palm, the thumb pointing diagonally across the hand, to the base of the little finger.
...o"@...: The thumb is opposed and hooked, forming a valley in the palm and an open space between the thumb pad and the palm.
...c@...: The thumb tip contacts a finger tip of the same hand.
...p@...: The thumb pad contacts the finger pad or the inside or radial side of a finger of the same hand.
...f@...: The thumb restrains one or more fingers of the same hand by holding the fingernails or the backs of the fingers.
...t@...: The thumbnail or back of the thumb is restrained by the pad of a finger of the same hand.

Locations: The hand may be located with respect to the other hand, the body, or space.

If the hand is not directly contacting given location, the entry name has one of the following proximity values:

...@Near...: Near the body or other hand.
...@From...: A medial distance from the body or other hand.
...@Distal...: Distal from the body or other hand.

If the hand is located with respect to a point on the opposite hand, the entry name uses a combination of the following zone and hand part values to indicate a point on the opposite hand:

...@In...: The inside. The side nearest the palm.
...@Back...: The backside. The opposite side of the palm.
...@Radial...: The radial edge. The side closest to the thumb and index finger.
...@Ulnar...: The ulnar edge. The side closest to the little finger.
...@Tip...: The tip. The end of a finger or thumb.
...@Base...: The base. The end closest to the elbow.
...@Palm: The inner side of the hand.
...@...Forearm: The forearm. The half of the arm from elbow to wrist.
...@...Wrist: The wrist. Where the base of the hand rests on the tip end of the forearm.
...@...Hand: The whole hand.
...@...Finger: The fingers.
...@...Thumb: The thumb.

If the hand is contacting or near the body, the entry name has one of the following values:

...@Backhead: The back of the head.
...@Top: The top of the head.
...@Forehead: The center of the forehead.
...@Sfhead: The side of forehead.
...@Nose
...@Cheek
...@Ear
...@Mouth
...@Lip: The lower lip, above the chin, below the mouth.
...@Jaw
...@Chin
...@Neck
...@Shoulder
...@Sternum: Below the neck, above the chest.
...@Chest: Below the sternum, above the trunk.
...@Trunk: Below the chest, above the abdomen.
...@Abdomen: Below the trunk.
...@Upperarm: The upper arm.
...@Forearm
...@Leg

If the hand is located in space more or less than about an elbow's length from the body, the entry name has one of the following proximity values:

...@Near...: Out a proximal distance from the body, within a few inches.
...@Distal...: Out a distal, comfortable arm's length from the body, away.
...@Extend...: Out to a fully extended arm's length away from the body.

Locations in space are given with a side-to-side element and a height:

...@Center...: On the plane that divides the body into right and left halves.
...@Inside...: Lateral with the breast, on the same side of the body as the postured hand.
...@Side...: Lateral with the shoulder, on the same side of the body as the postured hand.
...@Left1...: 30 degrees left of center.
...@Left2...: 60 degrees left of center.
...@Left3...: Directly to the left, 90 degrees left of center.
...@Right1...: 30 degrees right of enter.
...@Right2...: 60 degrees right of center.
...@Right3...: Directly to the right, 90 degrees right of center.
...@...Tophigh: As high as the top of the head, above the forehead.
...@...Foreheadhigh: As high as the forehead, below the top of the head, above the nose.
...@...Nosehigh: As high as the nose, below the forehead, above the mouth.
...@...Mouthhigh: As high as the mouth, below the nose, above the chin.
...@...Chinhigh: As high as the chin, below the mouth, above the neck.
...@...Neckhigh: As high as the neck, below the chin, above the sternum.
...@...Sternumhigh: As high as the sternum, below the neck, above the chest. This height is treated as the default in entry pagenames.
...@...Chesthigh: As high as the chest, below the sternum, above the trunk.
...@...Trunkhigh: As high as the trunk, below the chest, above the abdomen.
...@...Abdomenhigh: As high as the abdomen, below the trunk.

Facing/orientation: By default the hand is assumed to be oriented in a natural, relaxed direction, e.g. palm facing the opposite hand, either below the shoulders with the tip pointing away from the signer or in a higher location with the tip pointing up. Otherwise, a hand part (from above) is specified as the part of the hand facing, along with one of the following directions:

...@...-...Forward: The indicated part of the hand is facing forward, toward the vertical plane ahead.
...@...-...Back: The indicated part of the hand is facing backward, away from the vertical plane ahead.
...@...-...Up: The indicated part of the hand is facing up, away from the horizontal plane below.
...@...-...Down: The indicated part of the hand is facing down, toward the horizontal plane below.
...@...-...Across: The indicated part of the hand is facing toward the contralateral side of the body, across and beyond the opposite lateral side.
...@...-...Aside: The indicated part of the hand is facing aside, toward the ipsilateral side of the body, away from the center of the body.

When multiple signs are transcribed with the same title, they are treated like homographs, and each gets its own complete entry on that page.

The "Sign gloss:" namespace links to these entries using glosses as the page names: Sign gloss:FOOD links to the ASL entry FlatO@Mouth-PalmBack.^[3]

Sign language entries

The structure of a sign language entry should be similar to that described in WT:ELE. Each entry should include a level two language header with the name of the sign language, e.g. ==American Sign Language==.

Production

Facial expression, hand orientation, and other features of signs not included in entry pagenames are often important in proper signing. Such details are analogous to pronunciation details that are not always clear from the spelling of a word in a spoken language. Just as the ===Pronunciation=== section of a spoken language entry clarifies such details, a ===Production=== section should describe such details in a sign language entry. Options for such descriptions include hold-move charts (see transcription section below), narrative descriptions, video, images, and animated GIFs. Like IPA transcriptions in pronunciation sections of spoken language entries, hold-move charts in production sections of sign language entries give unambiguous descriptions that can be read and analyzed by automated systems and by humans, including readers with visual impairments. Like audio samples of pronunciation sections of spoken language entries, a linked video or one or more pictures or sketches in production sections of sign language entries can give a quick overview of sign production. When SignWriting becomes incorporated into Unicode, that method will be another option. To link to a video file, use [[:File:filename]] (note the colon after the open brackets).

Hold-move narratives

In a hold-move narrative in a Production section of each entry, postures are presented in a numbered list ordered according sequentially. Each hold appears as an unnumbered item after its corresponding posture. Each move appears as an unnumbered item between its initial and final postures. The format of a production section should match that of a pronunciation section, so the ordered list must be embedded in an unordered list, even if there is only one item in the unordered list. Alternative minor variations may be described using subsequent unnumbered list items.

===Production===
*# Posture the dominant hand in the “Open A” handshape, ....
*#* Hold the posture.
*#* Move to the following posture.
*# Posture the dominant hand in the....
* Alternatively, the dominant hand may be located slightly above the....

Hold-move images

In a series of hold-move images in a Production section of each entry, postures are presented in a series, with diagrams showing arrows to indicate any relevant holds and moves.

Hold-move charts

In the hold-move chart in a Production section of each entry, segments and postures are presented using a tabular layout with two rows for each hand used in production of the sign. The top row for each hand represents a sequence of hold and move segments. The bottom row represents a sequence of postures. Each hold segment occupies a single column, with the posture for that hold appearing below the hold segment. Each move segment occupies two columns, with the initial and final postures appearing in the left and right column (respectively) below the move segment.

Hold-move chart for About sign languages

dominant hand (strong)	type contour plane quality local movement	hold	move
	Hand configuration Part of hand Proximity Spatial relation Contact location Part of hand facing Facing location Part of hand oriented Plane of orientation	see appendix ({{{1}}}) ? ({{{2}}}) ? ({{{3}}}) ? ({{{4}}}) ? ({{{5}}}) ? ({{{6}}}) ? ({{{7}}}) ? ({{{8}}}) ? ({{{9}}})		see appendix ({{{1}}}) ? ({{{2}}}) ? ({{{3}}}) ? ({{{4}}}) ? ({{{5}}}) ? ({{{6}}}) ? ({{{7}}}) ? ({{{8}}}) ? ({{{9}}})
nondominant hand (weak)	type contour plane quality local movement	hold	move
	Hand configuration Part of hand Proximity Spatial relation Contact location Part of hand facing Facing location Part of hand oriented Plane of orientation	see appendix ({{{1}}}) ? ({{{2}}}) ? ({{{3}}}) ? ({{{4}}}) ? ({{{5}}}) ? ({{{6}}}) ? ({{{7}}}) ? ({{{8}}}) ? ({{{9}}})		see appendix ({{{1}}}) ? ({{{2}}}) ? ({{{3}}}) ? ({{{4}}}) ? ({{{5}}}) ? ({{{6}}}) ? ({{{7}}}) ? ({{{8}}}) ? ({{{9}}})

Phonemes used in production section hold-move charts

Note: The following lists of sign language phonemes may be extended without a vote as additional phonemes are identified.

Moves: A move is an activity of one or two hands when one or more features of a hand are in transition. Each move is fully specified in hold-move charts by four attributes for each hand that moves.

Values for contour of movement attribute
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
	straight (`str`)	The hand moves in a straight line from one posture to the next. This is the most common contour for moves, so it is omitted from entry pagenames. That is, in entry pagenames, a move with a straight contour and some other attribute is described in terms of the other attribute only, and a move with a straight contour and no other attributes is implied with no specification between any two postures for either hand.
Round	round (`rnd`)	The hand moves in a round path from one posture to the next. The beginning and ending points may be identical, in which case the path forms a circle. Otherwise, it forms an arc.
Seven	seven angle (`7`)	The hand moves in an angled path from one posture to the next, tracing a large "7" path.	Many initialized city names in ASL, e.g. B@Center-PalmAway Seven B@InsideChesthigh-PalmAway (“Boston”), T@Center-PalmAway Seven T@InsideChesthigh-PalmAway (“Tacoma”)

Plane of movement is omitted from entry pagenames, but if the move contour is not straight or it includes certain types of local movement, a plane of movement is specified in hold-move charts using one of the following values:

Values for planes used in plane of movement, facing, and orientation
In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
horizontal plane (`HP`)	A plane parallel with the ground. In moves, the hand moves along a horizontal plane, staying equally high. In postures, the given part of the hand is facing toward or oriented to align with the horizontal plane located below the signer.
vertical plane (`VP`)	The vertical plane extending up, down, left, and right in front of the body. In moves, the hand moves along a vertical plane, parallel with the front of the body, staying equally far forward. In postures, the given part of the hand is facing toward or oriented to align with the vertical plane located directly forward from the signer.
midline plane (`MP`)	The midsagittal plane that divides the left and right side of the body. In moves, the hand moves along a midline plane, parallel with the midsagittal plane, staying equally far to the left or right. In postures, the given part of the hand is facing toward or oriented to align with the midsagittal plane.
surface plane (`SP`)	The plane parallel to the surface of the body or the other hand nearest to the point of contact. In moves, the hand moves along a surface plane, staying equally close to the body or other hand.
oblique plane (`OP`)	The “oblique plane”, which is horizontal from side to side but sloped upward in the forward direction.

Quality of movement describes variations on the usual length or speed of a move. The absense of a specific quality of movement attribute means that the hand moves at a normal speed along a path of normal length.

Quality of movement values
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
Long	prolonged (`long`)	The hand moves in a slow (temporally elongated) path.
Short	shortened (`short`)	The hand moves in a fast (temporally shortened) path.
Accel	accelerating (`acc`)	The hand moves in an accelerating path.
Tense	tense (`tns`)	(Not sure what this means. Rod (A. Smith) 04:57, 13 July 2008 (UTC))[reply]
Small	reduced (`sm`)	The hand moves in a spatially reduced path.
Large	enlarged (`lg`)	The hand moves in a spacially exagerated path.
Contact	contacting (`contact`)	The moving hand makes contact with the body or the other hand.

Local movement is a repeated, spatially small motion of a moving or held hand. The absense of a local movement value indicates that the moving or held hand does not perform any local movement.

Local movement value
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
Wiggle	wiggling (`wg`)	The extended fingers repeatedly flex and extend slightly.
Hook	hooking (`hk`)	The curved fingers (those extended at the first joint and partially flexed at the proximal and distal joints) repeatedly flex and extend.
Flatten	flattening (`fl`)	All fingers that are extended at the proximal and distal joints repeatedly retract and extend at the first joint	ASL 8@InHand-OpenB@CenterChesthigh Flatten (“sticky”)
Twist	twisting (`tw`)	The hand, wrist, and part of the forearm twist radially back and forth.	ASL 5@SideChinhigh-PalmBack-FlatB@Forearm-PalmDown Twist (“tree”).
Nod	nodding (`nod`)	The hand bends alternately down and up at the wrist.	ASL S@Side Nod (“yes”).
Release	releasing (`rel`)	The thumb repeatedly releases and restrains the fingers that are not extended.
Rub	rubbing (`rub`)	The pads of the thumbs repeatedly rub the pads of one or more fingers.
Circle	circling (`circle`)	The hand makes small circles in the specified plane, often while performing some other, larger movement.
Squeeze	squeezing (`squeeze`)	The hand repeatedly squeezes together into a fist and opens up.^[4]	ASL C@Mouth Squeeze S@Mouth (“orange”)
Sidetoside	side-to-side (`sides`)	The hand moves repeatedly from side to side during a hold or while moving from one posture to the next.	ASL B@RadialWrist-PalmForward-OpenB@CenterChesthigh-PalmDown Sidetoside (“busy”)
Frontandbackand	front-and-back (`frbk`)	The hand moves repeatedly from front to back during a hold or while moving from one posture to the next.	ASL 5@Sternum-FingerUp Frontandback (“fine, fancy”)
Upanddown	up-and-down (`updown`)	The hand moves repeatedly up and down during a hold or while moving from one posture to the next.

Holds: A hold is a period of time when one or two hands maintain a given posture, sometimes with a local movement or one or two hands.

A common phonological process that occurs in sign languages is known as “hold deletion”. For example, the unmarked form of ASL BentB@Lip BentB@Center (“good”) consists of the segments Hold-Move-Hold. However, either hold may be dropped depending on the previous or following sign. For example, when followed by I@Sfhead I@Sfhead (“idea”), whose unmarked form also consists of the segments Hold-Move-Hold, the final hold of the first sign is deleted, as is the initial hold of the second sign. Hold deletion serves as justification for omitting holds without local movement from transcriptions in entry pagenames. So, as with notations based on tab-dez-sig, certain pairs of signs are transcribed identically despite their phonological distinctiveness, e.g. ASL BentH@BackFinger-H BentH@BackFinger-H (“sit”), with a segment pattern of Move, and ASL BentH@BackFinger-H BentH@BackFinger-H (“chair”), with a segment pattern Hold-Move-Hold.^[5]

Postures: A posture is a configuration of one or two hands, specifying articulatory details of the shape, position, and orientation of the hands involved. In hold-move charts, each posture has is specified by three clusters of attributes, arranged vertically, per postured hand.

Hand configuration

In hold-move charts, sign language hand configurations are specified in separate attributes for the forearm, the fingers, and the thumb. In entry pagenames, there are two types of handshape specifications. One type is used in entry pagenames for select handshapes with common names. The other type of handshape specification in entry pagenames is a simplified version of the system used in hold-move charts, used when (a) the list below does not include the handshape or (b) the sign language for the entry does not align well with the list of common handshape names below.

Select handshapes
Handshape Classifiers	SW	In hold-move charts	Description	Index of signs and examples
1	𝠀	1o-f	The ASL “1” handshape. Only the index finger is extended, the other fingers curled into a fist. The thumb is opposed and closed so the thumb pad restrains the middle finger.	1@Side-PalmForward (“one”) 1@InsideChesthigh-RadialUp (“you, he, she, it, him, her”)
3	𝠞	Vu	The ASL “3” handshape. The thumb is extended. The index finger and middle finger are extended and spread apart. The other fingers are closed to the palm.	3@Side-PalmForward (“three”) VEHICLE (“vehicle”)
Bent3		V"~u"	The ASL “Bent 3” handshape. The thumb is extended, the index and middle fingers are hooked by extending the proximal/base joints but bending the medial and distal joints, and the other fingers are curled into a fist.	Bent3@Ear-PalmForward Hook (“listen”)
4	𝡄	4o-	The ASL “4” handshape. All four fingers are extended and spread apart. The thumb is opposed and closed to the palm.	4@Side-PalmForward (“four”) 4@RadialFinger-PalmAcross-4@CenterNeckhigh-PalmAcross 4@FromRadialFinger-PalmAcross-4@DistalCenterNeckhigh-PalmAcross (“line of people”)
5	𝡌	4u	The ASL “5” handshape. All four fingers are extended and spread apart. The thumb is unopposed and extended.	5@Side-PalmForward (“five”) 5@Chest-ThumbBack Wiggle (“cool”)
Claw5		4~u	The ASL “Claw 5” (a.k.a. “Bent 5”, “Curved 5”) handshape. All fingers and the thumb are spread and slightly bent at each joint to form the shape of a claw. Also known as the “clawed E” and “clawed hand”.	Claw5@TipFinger-Claw5@CenterChesthigh Claw5@SideChesthigh-Claw5@SideChesthigh (“much”) Claw5@NearNose-PalmBack (“angry”)
6	𝢇	6o^f	The ASL “6” or “W” handshape. The little finger is closed, the other fingers extended and spread apart. The thumb is opposed and bent across the palm, restraining the fingernail of the little finger.	6@Side-PalmForward (“six”) 6@Chin (“water”)
7	𝢥	7o^f	The ASL “7” handshape. The ring finger is closed, the other fingers extended and spread apart. The thumb is opposed and bent across the palm, restraining the fingernail of the ring finger.	7@Side-PalmForward (“seven”) 7@Side-PalmBack Twist 7@Side-PalmForward (“seventeen”)
8	𝢻	8o^f	The ASL “8” handshape. The middle finger is closed, the other fingers extended and spread apart. The thumb is opposed and bent across the palm, restraining the fingernail of the middle finger.	8@Side-PalmForward (“eight”) 8@NearSide-PalmForward-8@NearSide-PalmForward Open8@Side-PalmForward-Open8@Side-PalmForward (“hate”)
Open8		8^u	The ASL “open 8” handshape. The fingers and thumb are spread with the middle finger bent at the base joint and all other fingers extended.	Open8@BackHand-PalmDown-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmDown Open8@NearBackHand-PalmDown (“sharp”) Open8@Chin-PalmBack Contact Contact (“favorite”)
9	𝣎	9o^f	The ASL “9” handshape, also known as the ASL “F” handshape. The tip of the thumb touches the tip of index finger, forming a loop. The other fingers are extended and spread.	9@InsideChesthigh-PalmForward-9@InsideChesthigh-PalmForward 9@CenterChesthigh-PalmBack-9@CenterChesthigh-PalmBack (“family”)
Flat9		9op	The “flat 9” or “flat F” handshape. The pad of the thumb touches the pad of index finger, forming a long tear-drop shape. The other fingers are extended and spread.	Flat9@BasePalm-PalmDown-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp Flat9@InFinger-PalmDown-FlatB@CenterChesthigh (“count”)
A	𝣷	Au^	The ASL “A” handshape. The fingers are together and curled into a fist. The thumb is unopposed but closed against the radial edge of the index finger.	A@Side-PalmForward (“A”) A@Hand-PalmAcross-A@CenterChesthigh-PalmAcross CirclesHoriz-CirclesHoriz (“together”)
OpenA	𝣵	Au	The “Open A” handshape. The fingers are together and curled into a fist. The thumb is extended out on the plane of the palm.	OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack-OpenA@InsideChesthigh-ThumbBack CirclesMidline-CirclesMidline (“drama”)
B	𝡇	Bo-	The ASL “B” handshape. The fingers are together and extended to form a flat plane with the palm. The thumb is tucked in against the palm.	B@Side-PalmForward (“B”) B@RadialWrist-PalmForward-OpenB@CenterChesthigh-PalmDown Sidetoside (“busy”)
BentB		B^u	The “Bent B” (or “Bent Hand”) handshape, also known as the “bent hand”. The fingers are together and bent at the base but otherwise extended. The thumb is flat along the radial edge of the hand.	BentB@Chest-FingerBack-BentB@Chest-FingerBack (“have”)
FlatB		Bu^	The “Flat B” handshape. All four fingers are extended and together and the thumb is flat against the radial edge of the hand. This shape is also known as the “flat hand”.	FlatB@Palm-PalmAcross-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmAcross FlatB@UlnarHand-PalmUp-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp (“book”)
OpenB	𝡝	Bu	The “Open B” (or “Open Hand”) handshape. All four fingers are extended and together and the thumb is extended to make a flat hand with a gap between the thumb and the edge of the hand. This shape is also known as “extended B”, “open hand”, and “closed 5”.	OpenB@NearSideNosehigh-FingerUp OpenB@SideNosehigh-FingerForward (“will”)
C	𝡭	B~o	The ASL “C” handshape. The fingers are together and curved. The thumb is opposed and curved so the thumb and index finger resemble the letter C.	C@Side-PalmAcross (“C”), C@Sfhead-PalmForward-FlatB@InsideChestHigh-PalmAcross C@Palm-PalmForward-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmAcross (“picture”)
FlatC		B^o	The “Flat C” handshape. The fingers are together and partially bent from the palm at the base joint but otherwise extended, and the thumb is opposed and parallel with the fingers.	FlatC@SideMouthhigh-PalmAcross FlattenSidetoside FlatO@SideMouthhigh-PalmAcross (“outside”)
SmallC	𝣬	1~o	The “Small C”, “Reduced C”, or “Bent L” handshape (but note that “Bent L” may also be used to mean the shaped described as “Open X”). The thumb is opposed, the index finger and thumb loosely bent to form the shape of the letter C, but the other fingers are closed into a fist.	SmallC@Chest-RadialBack (“badge”)
D	𝠁	Dot	The ASL “D” handshape. The index finger is extended, the thumb opposed and partially bent, the other fingers together and partially bent such that the tip of the middle finger touches the tip of the thumb.	D@NearPalm-PalmDown-OpenB@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp CirclesMidlineContact (“dictionary”)
E	𝡊	B"o-	The ASL “E” handshape. All four fingers are bent and hooked, with the thumb opposed and fully closed so that its length touches the fingernails of the other fingers.
G	𝣰	1^o	The ASL “G” handshape, also known as the ASL “Q” handshape. The index finger is bent at the base joint but otherwise extended, the thumb is rotated outward from the palm at the base and extended so that it is parallel with the index finger, and the other three fingers are curled into the palm.	G@Chin-PalmBack (“gay”) G@Shoulder-PalmDown G@Abdomen-PalmDown (“queen”)
H	𝠕	Ho-f	The ASL “H” handshape, also known as the ASL “U” handshape. The index and middle fingers are extended and together, and the other fingers and thumb are curled into a fist.	H@Chin-PalmBackFingerUp Flatten (“cute”) H@RadialFinger-H@CenterChesthigh Contact Contact (“name”)
I	𝢒	Io-f	The ASL “I” handshape. The little finger is extended, the other fingers are closed against the palm, and the thumb is closed against the index finger.	I@Sfhead-PalmBack I@NearSfhead-PalmBack (“if”)
K		Ko^	The ASL “K” handshape, also known as the ASL “P” handshape. The index finger is fully extended, the middle finger is bent at the base but otherwise extended to a right angle with the index finger, the thumb is against the side of the middle finger, and the other fingers are curled to the palm.	K@Nose-PalmAcross K@FromNose-PalmAcross (“see”) K@Shoulder K@Abdomen (“king”)
OpenK		Ko	The “Open K” handshape. The index finger is fully extended, the middle finger is bent at the base but otherwise extended to a right angle with the index finger, the thumb is extended out of the plane of the palm, and the other fingers are curled to the palm.
L	𝣜	1u	The ASL “L” handshape. The index finger is extended, the other fingers are curled into the palm, and the thumb is extended outward, flat with the palm.	L@Chin-ThumbBack Squeeze (“who”)
M	𝢍	Mo^	The ASL “M” handshape. The fingers are curled into a fist, with the thumb under the index, middle, and ring finger, so that the thumb tip protrudes between the ring finger and the little finger.	M@Side-PalmBack CirclesHoriz (“Monday”)
OpenM		W^o-f	The “Open M” handshape. The pinky is closed, the thumb is closed over the pinky, and the index, middle, and ring fingers are together and angled at the knuckle, touching the thumb.	OpenM@TopMouth-PalmDown OpenM@Cheek-PalmDown (“Mexico”)
N		No^	The ASL “N” handshape. The fingers are curled into a fist, with the thumb under the index and middle fingers, so that the thumb tip protrudes between the middle finger and the ring finger)
OpenN		H^o-f	The “Open N” handshape. The pinky and ring fingers are closed with the thumb closed over them and the index and middle fingers are together and angled at the knuckle, touching the thumb.
O	𝡶	B~oc	The ASL “O” handshape. The fingers are extended, together, and curled and the tip of the thumb is touching the tip of the index and middle fingers to form a circle.	O@Side-PalmForward K@Side-PalmForward (“OK”)
FlatO		B^op	The “Flat O” or “And” handshape. All four fingers are together and bent at the base joint but otherwise straight, the thumb is opposed and extended, the thumb pad touching the pads of the index finger and middle finger.	FlatO@InsideChesthigh-PalmDown-FlatO@InsideChesthigh-PalmDown Nod FlatO@InsideChesthigh-PalmForward-FlatO@Inside-PalmForward (“sell”) FlatO@Mouth-PalmBack (“food”)
SmallO		1"~ot	The “Small O”, “Reduced O”, “Closed X”, or “Modified X” handshape. The pad of the index finger touches the tip of the thumb to form a circle. The other fingers are curled into a fist.	SmallO@BasePalm-PalmDown-OpenB@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp SmallO@TipPalm (“write”) SmallO@NearTipThumb-PalmDown-SmallO@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp CirclesSurface Contact (“exact”)
R		Ro-f	The ASL “R” handshape. The index and middle fingers are extended and crossed so the middle finger wraps behind the index finger, and the other fingers and thumb are curled into a fist.	R@Chin R@NearChin R@Chin R@NearChin (“restaurant”)
S		So-	The ASL “S” handshape. The fingers are together and curled into a fist, and the thumb is opposed, its pad restraining the back of the index and middle fingers.	S@Side Nod (“yes”) S@Side-PalmBack CirclesHoriz (“Saturday”)
T		To^	The ASL “T” handshape. The fingers are curled into a fist, with the thumb under the index finger, so that the thumb tip protrudes between the index finger and the middle finger.
V	𝠎	Vo-f	The ASL “V” or “2” handshape. The index and middle fingers are extended and spread apart, while the other fingers and thumb are curled into a fist.	V@Nose-PalmBack V@FromNose-PalmBack (“see”) V@NearNose-PalmBack BentV@FromChin (“doubt”)
BentV	𝠐	V"~o-f	The “Bent V” (a.k.a. “double X”) handshape. The index and middle fingers are hooked by extending the proximal/base joints but bending the medial and distal joints, and the other fingers and thumb are curled into a fist.	BentV@InThumb-PalmDown-C@CenterChesthigh BentV@InThumb-PalmDown-C@DistalCenterChesthigh (“ride”)
X		1"~o-f	The ASL “X” handshape. The index finger is loosely hooked by extending the base joint but partially bending the medial and distal joints, and the other fingers and thumb are curled into a fist. Note: This handshape may be produced with the thumb restraining the fingers (as in “S”) or with the thumb cocooned by the other fingers (as in “M”). The picture depicts the latter.	X@BackWrist-PalmDown Contact Contact (“time”) X@Cheek-PalmBack Hook (“recently”)
OpenX		1"~o	The “Open X” handshape. The index finger is loosely hooked by extending the base joint but partially bending the medial and distal joints, the other fingers are curled into a fist, and the thumb is unopposed and extended.
Y	𝢚	Yu	The ASL “Y” handshape. The thumb and little finger are extended wide, and the other fingers are closed against the palm.	Y@Side Twist (“yellow”) Y@Chin-PalmBack (“wrong”)
ILY	𝢜	yu	The ASL “I/L/Y” handshape (so named because it is an assimilation of the ASL 'I', 'L', and 'Y' handshapes). The index finger and little finger are extended and slightly spread, the other fingers are closed to the palm, and the thumb is unopposed and extended.	ILY@Side-PalmForward (“I love you”)
Corna	𝢠	=o-f	The “Corna” handshape. The index finger and little finger are extended to resemble parallel horns, the other fingers are closed to the palm, and the thumb is tucked over the closed fingers.	Corna@Nose-Corna@SideChesthigh Corna@RadialHand-Corna@CenterChesthigh (“irony”)
Sha	𝢌		Like “6” handshape, but three fingers are conjoined. Or like wide open M.	𝢌𝪤

In hold-move charts, and for entry pagenames for signs with handshapes other than those described above, a detailed hand configuration is given as follows.

Forearm involvement: Most hand configurations use only the hand, but some use the forearm as well, e.g. ALL-DAY. This attribute is shown in hold-move charts, but it is omitted from entry pagenames.

The configuration of the fingers is specified by an attribute for the handshape, “2nd finger” attributes, and a lax attribute. The value of Handshape indicates which of the four fingers are extended and retracted.

Detailed finger specification
Value	Index Location	Description	Examples
A	Four fingers closed, pads contact palm.	Au^ (ASL 'A'), Au (“open A”)	*
S	Four fingers closed, tips contact palm	So- (ASL 'S')	*
1	Index finger extended, others closed	1o-f (ASL '1', ASL 'Z'), 1~o (“small C”), 1^o (ASL 'G'), 1u (ASL 'L'), 1"~ot (“small O”), 1"~o-f (ASL 'X'), 1"~o (“open X”), 1"~o^ (“modified X”)	*
!	*	*	*
?	Middle finger extended, others closed	*	*
I	Little finger extended, others closed	Io-f (ASL 'I', ASL 'J')	*
Y	Little finger extended and spread, others closed	Yu (ASL 'Y')	*
=	Index finger and little finger extended and parallel, others closed	=o-f (“corna”)	*
y	Index finger and little finger extended and spread, others closed ^[6]	yu (“I/L/Y”)	*
H	Index finger and middle finger extended and together, others closed	Ho-f (ASL 'H', ASL 'U'), H^o-f (“open N”)	*
V	Index finger and middle finger extended and spread, others closed	Vo-f (ASL 'V', ASL '2'), V"~u" (“bent 3”)	*
K	Index finger extended, middle finger partly open, other fingers closed	Ko^ (ASL 'K', ASL 'P')	*
D	Index finger extended, all others partly open	Dot (ASL 'D')	*
R	Index finger and middle finger crossed, others closed	Ro-f (ASL 'R')	*
r	Middle finger extended, index finger partly open and crossed under middle finger, others closed	*	*
W	All fingers extended and together except for closed little finger (pinky)	W^o-f (“open M”)	*
6	All fingers extended and spread except for closed little finger (pinky)	6o^f (ASL '6', ASL 'W')	*
7	All fingers extended and spread except for closed ring finger	7o^f (ASL '7')	*
8	All fingers extended and spread except for closed middle finger	8o^f (ASL '8')	*
F	All fingers extended and together (not spread) except for closed index finger	*	*
9	All fingers extended and spread except for closed index finger	9o^f (ASL '9', ASL 'F')	*
B	All four fingers extended and together	Bo- (ASL 'B'), B^u (“bent B”), Bu^ (“flat B”), Bu (“open B”), B~o (ASL 'C'), B^o (“flat C”), B"o- (ASL 'E'), B~oc (ASL 'O'), B^op (“flat O”)	*
4	All four fingers extended and spread	4o^ (ASL '4'), 4u (ASL '5')	*
T	All four fingers closed, index finger spread by thumb	To^ (ASL 'T')	*
N	All four fingers closed, middle finger spread from ring finger by thumb	No^ (ASL 'N')	*
M	All four fingers closed, ring finger spread from little finger (pinky) by thumb	Mo^ (ASL 'M')	*

The finger shape attribute can be modified by appending any of the following attributes:

Modifiers for *2nd finger* and *lax*
Value	Description	Examples
	The absence of any 2nd finger or lax attributes indicates that the fingers have the fully extended or retracted configurations indicated by the handshape attribute.	*
"	Hooked. The extended fingers are retracted at the distal interphalangeal joints (and typically also at the proximal interphalangeal joint) to form a hook.	1"~o-f (ASL 'X'), 1"o-f (the tight handshape at the end of ASL 'ASK')
^	Bent, flattened. The fingers that are extended are retracted (bent) only at the base (a.k.a. metacarpophalangeal or proximal) joint, the joint that attaches the finger to the palm.	B^u (“bent B” with thumb out), B^o- (“flattened O”)
~	The fingers are lax, i.e. the extensions and closings of all fingers are lax at all joints. In a lax handshape, each normally extended joint in each finger is slightly flexed and each normally flexed joint is slightly extended. It has a less rigid shape than the corresponding non-lax shape.	B~o (ASL 'C')

The final set of hand configuration attributes specifies the rotation and configuration of the thumb. Unlike the fingers, the thumb can be unopposed or opposed. Like the fingers, the thumb can also be bent at the proximal joint, hooked at the distal joint, or closed at both joints.

Handshape thumb rotation and flex
Value	Description	Examples
u	The thumb is in an unopposed rotation and fully extended, leaving the palm flat.	*
u-	The thumb is unopposed and fully closed, with the palm nearly flat, the thumb pad facing down toward the wrist.	*
u^	The thumb is unopposed and bent at the proximal joint, with the palm flat, the thumb against the radial edge of the palm.	*
u"	The thumb is unopposed and hooked, forming a gap between the thumb pad and the edge of the palm.	*
o	The thumb is in an opposed rotation and fully extended, with the joint near the wrist flexed so that the thumb base draws inward to make a valley in the palm and the thumb tip may easily contact the tip of any finger.	*
o-	The thumb is in an opposed rotation and fully closed, pressing against the palm or against any closed the fingers, the thumb pad facing toward the wrist.	*
o^	The thumb is opposed and bent at the proximal joint, forming a valley in the palm, the thumb pointing diagonally across the hand, to the base of the little finger.	*
o"	The thumb is opposed and hooked, forming a valley in the palm and an open space between the thumb pad and the palm.	*

If the thumb is in contact with any fingers, it can occur in four different ways:

Handshape thumb contact
Value	Description	Examples
c	The thumb tip contacts a finger tip of the same hand.	*
p	The thumb pad contacts the finger pad or the inside or radial side of a finger of the same hand.	*
f	The thumb restrains one or more fingers of the same hand by holding the fingernails or the backs of the fingers.	*
t	The thumbnail or back of the thumb is restrained by the pad of a finger of the same hand.	*

Hand part: In hold-move charts, a hand part is used in four different ways. In a point of contact cluster, the first hand part indicates a part of the postured hand making contact with a given location. If the given location is a part of the opposite hand, a second hand part indicates a part of the opposite hand that is contacted by the postured hand. In a facing/orientation cluster, the first hand part (“facing”) indicates a part of the postured hand that is facing a given location, while the second hand part (“orientation”) indicates a part of the postured hand that is oriented in a specified way. Each hand part specification can include an attribute indicating a major part of the hand and one indicating a zone within that major part of the hand.

Zones of major parts of the hand
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
		If the point of contact is a spatial location and the major part of the hand is centered on that location, it is not necessary to specify a zone.
In...	inside of (`IN...`)	The inside of the indicated major part of the hand. If the major part is the whole hand, this indicates the “face” of the palm. If the major part of the other hand is the fingers, thumb, wrist, or forearm, this indicates the side nearest the palm, and below the pads in the case of the fingers and thumb.
Back...	back of (`BK...`)	The back (dorsum) of the indicated major part of the hand.
Radial...	radial edge of (`RA...`)	The radial edge (the side closest to the thumb side of the wrist) of the indicated major part of the hand.
Ulnar...	ulnar edge of (`UL...`)	The ulnar edge (the side closest to the side of the wrist opposite the thumb) of the indicated major part of the hand.
Tip...	tip of (`TI...`)	The tip (the end of a finger or thumb) of the indicated finger or thumb.
Base...	base of (`BA...`)	The base (the end closest to the elbow) of the indicated major part of the hand.

Major parts of the hand
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
...Forearm	forearm (`...FA`)	The forearm.
...Wrist	wrist (`...WR`)	The wrist.
...Hand	hand	The main part of the hand (the palm and back dorsum).
...Palm	hand	When the specified part of the hand is the inner part of the hand, it is given in entry pagenames as "Palm" rather than "InHand".
...Finger	fingers (`...FI`)	The fingers.
...Thumb	thumb (`...TH`)	The thumb.

Location: In hold-move charts, a location is used in two different ways. In a point of contact (POC) cluster of a posture, a location indicates the position of the postured hand. In a facing (FA) cluster, a location indicates the place toward which the hand is facing. Each location is given in terms of (a) a part of the opposite hand, (b) another part of the body, (c) a point in lateral space, or (d) a left-right-oriented vector.

If a location is on a part of the opposite hand, it is specified using a hand part specification, as described in the Hand part section above.

If a location is on another part of the body, the body part is specified using one of the following values:

Locations on the body
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
Backhead	back of head (`BH`)	The back of the head.
Top	top of head (`TH`)	The top of the head.
Forehead	forehead (`FH`)	The center of the forehead.
Sfhead	side of forehead (`SF`)	The side of forehead, near or just forward of the temple.
Nose	nose (`NS`)	The nose.
Cheek	cheek (`CK`)	The cheek, under the eye, above the jaw.
Ear	ear (`ER`)	The ear, behind the cheek.
Mouth	mouth (`MO`)	The mouth, above the lower lip, below the nose.
Lip	lip (`LP`)	The lower lip, above the chin, below the mouth.
Jaw	jaw (`JW`)	The jaw, behind the chin, under the cheek.
Chin	chin (`CN`)	The chin, below the lip.
Neck	neck (`NK`)	The neck.
Shoulder	shoulder (`SH`)	The shoulder, above the arm.
Sternum	sternum (`ST`)	The sternum, below the neck, above the chest.
Chest	chest (`CH`)	The chest, below the sternum, above the trunk.
Trunk	trunk (`TR`)	The trunk, below the chest, above the abdomen.
Abdomen	abdomen (`AB`)	The abdomen, below the trunk.
Upperarm	upper arm (`UA`)	The upper arm.
Forearm	forearm (`FA`)	The forearm.
Leg	leg (`LG`)	The leg.

In hold-move charts, the body locations above are optionally modified by any of the following diacritics:

Diacritics used to modify locations on the body
Value in hold-move charts	Description	Examples
on the contralateral side (`%...`)	Used before the main body location symbol to indicate a location on the opposite side of the body as the signing hand. (An unmarked body location indicates a location on the same side of the body as the signing hand.)
ipsilateral of (`i...`)	Used before the main body location symbol (and after `%`, if applicable) to indicate a location slightly ipsilateral of the specified body location, i.e. toward the outside of the body.
top of (`...T`)	Used after the main body location symbol to indicate a location slightly atop/on top of the specified body location.
bottom of (`...B`)	Used after the main mody location symbol to indicate a location slightly below/on the bottom of the specified body location.

Many locations reference points in space, as opposed to the those on the other hand or other parts of the body. Some such locations are in “lateral space”. That is, the location is at a certain ipsilateral offset (a certain distance toward the dominant or nondominant side) and at a certain height. Other spatial locations indicate an angle left or right. (E.g. the ASL signs E@Side E@Right2 (“east”) and R@Side R@Right2 (“right”) move to the right, and W@Side W@Left2 (“west”) and L@Side L@Left2 (“left”) move to the left, regardless of which hand is dominant, and signs like 1@Left3 (“that to the far left”) use deixis to identify items in the absolute space around the signer.) Distances and heights are specified for locations in lateral space and in absolute vector space.

Distances from the body are given before the ipsilateral or left-right offset in hold-move charts using one of the following values:

Distance from body of locations in lateral space and in absolute vector space
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
Proxim...	proximal out ? ? high (`p...`)	A location in space with a proximal distance, within a few inches of the body.
	medial out ? ? high (`m...`)	A location with medial distance, about an elbow's length from the body. Medial distance is considered the default for locations in space, so it is omitted from entry pagenames.
Distal...	distal out ? ? high (`d...`)	A location with a distal distance, a comfortable arm's length from the body.
Extend...	extended out ? ? high (`e...`)	A location with an extended distance, a fully extended arm's length from the body.

The ipsilateral offset or absolute angle for spatial locations is given as one of the following values:

Ipsilateral and absolute offsets for locations in space
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
Center...	? out center ? high (`0...`)	A location on the midsagittal plane, the plane that divides the body into right and left halves. Located in or pointing toward the center.
Inside...	? out lateral with breast ? high (`1...`)	A location lateral with the breast, on the same side of the body as the postured hand.
Side...	? out lateral with shoulder ? high (`2...`)	A location lateral with the shoulder, on the same side of the body as the postured hand.
Left1...	? out 30° left ? high (`L1...`)	A location 30 degrees left of center.
Left2...	? out 60° left ? high (`L2...`)	A location 60 degrees left of center.
Left3...	? out 90° left ? high (`L3...`)	A location directly to the left, 90 degrees left of center.
Right1...	? out 30° right ? high (`R1...`)	A location 30 degrees right of enter.
Right2...	? out 60° right ? high (`R2...`)	A location 60 degrees right of center.
Right3...	? out 90°right ? high (`R3...`)	A location directly to the right, 90 degrees right of center.

Heights are given after the ipsilateral or left-right offset in hold-move charts using one of the following values:

Heights of locations in lateral space and in absolute vector space
In entry pagenames	In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
...Tophigh	? out ? top of head high (`...TH`)	As high as the top of the head, above the forehead.
...Foreheadhigh	? out ? forehead high (`...FH`)	As high as the forehead, below the top of the head, above the nose.
...Nosehigh	? out ? nose high (`...NS`)	As high as the nose, below the forehead, above the mouth.
...Mouthhigh	? out ? mouth high (`...MO`)	As high as the mouth, below the nose, above the chin.
...Chinhigh	? out ? chin high (`...CN`)	As high as the chin, below the mouth, above the neck.
...Neckhigh	? out ? neck high (`...NK`)	As high as the neck, below the chin, above the sternum.
	? out ? sternum high (`...ST`)	As high as the sternum, below the neck, above the chest. This height is treated as the default in entry pagenames.
...Chesthigh	? out ? chest high (`...CH`)	As high as the chest, below the sternum, above the trunk.
...Trunkhigh	? out ? trunk high (`...TR`)	As high as the trunk, below the chest, above the abdomen.
...Abdomenhigh	? out ? abdomen high (`...AB`)	As high as the abdomen, below the trunk.

Point of contact: After the hand configuration attribute cluster, the “point of contact” is specified. In hold-move charts, the point of contact includes attributes for (1) the part of the postured hand making contact, (2) its proximity to the point of contact, (3) its spatial relation to point of contact, and (4) the location of point of contact.

In hold-move charts, the part of the postured hand making contact is specified as described in the Hand part section, above.

In hold-move charts the part of hand making contact is followed by an attribute specifying the “proximity to point of contact”, identifying how far the postured hand is from the point of contact.

Proximity to point of contact
In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
contact (`c`)	The hand is in direct contact with the given location.
proximal (`p`)	The hand is proximal to (near) the given location.
medial (`m`)	The hand is medially close to the given location.
distal (`d`)	The hand is distant from the given location.

In hold-move charts, the spatial relationship attribute identifies the direction the postured hand lies from the point of contact. If the postured hand is in direct contact with the given location, the spatial relation attribute is unneeded and left blank. The first six values below specify an offset direction from a point of contact in space or on the body. The remaining values specify an offset from a point of contact on the other hand.

Spatial relationship to point of contact
In hold-move charts	Description	Examples
over (`over`)	Offset over the point of contact in space or on the body in the direction away from the floor (from the Horiz. Plane).
under (`under`)	Offset from the point of contact in space or on the body in the direction toward the floor (toward the Horiz. Plane).
behind (`behind`)	Offset from the point of contact in space or on the body in the direction behind the body (away from the Vert. Plane).
ahead (`ahead`)	Offset from the point of contact in space or on the body in the direction forward from the body (toward the Vert. Plane).
contralateral (`contra`)	Offset from the point of contact in space or on the body in the contralateral direction. That is, the dominant hand is toward the nondominant side of the body from the point of contact, or the nondominant hand is toward the dominant side of the body from the point of contact.
ipsilateral (`ipsi`)	Offset from the point of contact in space or on the body in the ipsilateral direction. That is, the dominant hand is toward the dominant side of the body from the point of contact, or the nondominant hand is toward the nondominant side of the body from the point of contact.
tipward (`toti`)	Offset from a point of contact on the other hand in the direction toward the tip. If the location of the point of contact is an extended finger or thumb, the offset is in the direction pointed to by the fingertip or thumb tip. Otherwise, it is offset in the direction away from the elbow.	ASL: FlatC@TipFinger-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmBack FlatC@TipFinger-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmBack (“dollar”)
baseward (`toba`)	Offset from a point of contact on the other hand in the direction toward the base, toward the elbow.
toward ulnar side (`toul`)	Offset from a point of contact on the other hand in the direction extending from the inside of the wrist toward and through the ulna side of the wrist, opposite the thumb side.
toward radial side (`tora`)	Offset from a point of contact on the other hand in the direction extending from the inside of the wrist toward and through the radius side of the wrist, where the base of the thumb joins the wrist.
palmward (`topa`)	Offset from a point of contact on the other hand in the direction that the palm faces.
backward (`tobk`)	Offset from a point of contact on the other hand in the direction that the back of the hand (the dorsum) faces.

Facing/orientation: After the point of contact specification, a cluster of attributes specifies the “facing and orientation” of the hand. In hold-move charts, the facing and orientation specification includes four details: (1) for a part of the postured hand (using the hand part specification above) that is facing toward a given location, (2) a location (using locations from above) faced by the hand, (3) an oriented part of the hand, and (4) a plane of orientation.

Part of speech

Each sign should be given a part of speech from WT:POS.

Headword line

The headword line should include a transcription of the sign, optionally accompanied by brief grammatical details. For example, the ASE verbs OpenA@Palm-ThumbUp-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp OpenA@Palm-ThumbUp-FlatB@CenterSternumhigh-PalmUp (“to help”) and V@Cheek-FingerCheek V@Inside-FingerForward (“to watch”) are directional (i.e. their points of contact may vary with the location of the subject or object), which can be indicated on the headword line with a directional grammar tag:

OpenA@Palm-ThumbUp-FlatB@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp OpenA@Palm-ThumbUp-FlatB@CenterSternumhigh-PalmUp (directional)

to help

If the part of speech does not adequately describe the grammar of the sign language entry, additional key grammatical details can be given in the headword line (see {{head}}). More extensive grammar notes belong in usage notes or (for directional verbs) in a ====Conjugation==== section.

Definitions

As with other non-English language entries, the meaning of a sign should be given as an English gloss translation in a definition line. Unlike glosses typically found in linguistic analysis texts of sign languages, the definitions given in the English dictionary are not given in all capital letters.

Examples

As with other non-English language entries, examples should follow each definition to show the sign in a typical context. An English translation should follow the example. If necessary, a literal, word-for-word translation of the example may also be included.

Other sections after the definitions

Other secions may follow, as explained in WT:ELE, including usage notes, conjugation, declension, synonyms, antonyms, related terms, see also, etc.

Translations from English

For each sign language, a link to the sign language entry will be placed in the translation table of English entries, using the following format:

* Name of the sign language: [[DominantHandshape@Location(-Facing)(-NondominantHandshape@Location-Facing) (Move...)]]

where:

Name of the sign language is replaced by the name of the sign language.
DominantHandshape and optionally NondominantHandshape are replaced by values from the Handshapes section in #Entry names above.
Location is replaced by value from the Locations section in #Entry names above.
Facing is replaced by a value from the Facings/orientations section in #Entry names above.

E.g., in the translations table of please:

American Sign Language: OpenB@Chest-PalmBack CirclesSurface

References

^ Liddell and Johnson (William C. Stokoe, ed.), 1989, Sign Language Studies, 64(195-277).
^ Liddell and Johnson use the symbol ">", which cannot be used in Wiktionary entry titles for technical reasons.
^ Wiktionary:Votes/pl-2015-12/Entry name: sign languages
^ Squeezing was not included in Liddell and Johnson, 1985, but was described later by Perlmutter, 1987.
^ Supalla and Newport (1978) distinguished ASL SIT and ASL CHAIR, along with many other noun-verb pairs in ASL, in terms of hold-move sequences, as did Liddell and Johnson (1989) and subsequent researchers.
^ Liddell and Johnson use the symbol “>”, which cannot be used in Wiktionary entry titles for technical reasons.

[1] Liddell and Johnson (William C. Stokoe, ed.), 1989, Sign Language Studies, 64(195-277).

[2] Liddell and Johnson use the symbol ">", which cannot be used in Wiktionary entry titles for technical reasons.

[3] Wiktionary:Votes/pl-2015-12/Entry name: sign languages

[4] Squeezing was not included in Liddell and Johnson, 1985, but was described later by Perlmutter, 1987.

[5] Supalla and Newport (1978) distinguished ASL SIT and ASL CHAIR, along with many other noun-verb pairs in ASL, in terms of hold-move sequences, as did Liddell and Johnson (1989) and subsequent researchers.

[ljgt-6] Liddell and Johnson use the symbol “>”, which cannot be used in Wiktionary entry titles for technical reasons.

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

Wiktionary:About sign languages

Contents

Criteria for inclusion