The Sign Language/Chapter 2

by J. Schuyler Long

EXPLANATORY

In describing the position assumed to make the sign it is given as it would be in making the sign by itself. When a number of signs are made in succession, as in a continued narrative, they fall into the next position from the last without any stop, the movement of the arms and hands being practically continuous. The sign is made, usually in front of the body in an easy position, the hands, unless otherwise specified, being held on a line with the elbows or a little above.

In order to save repetition and ambiguity in description, certain positions of the hands used in making the manual alphabet are taken as basic positions. (See opposite page.) These are referred to as the "A" hand, the "B" hand, and so on, the positions being those of the hand in making those letters. In the "&" hand it should be noted that the last position of the hand in making the "&" is meant, and not its movement part. Besides the letter positions there are several others as follows:

The "extended" or the "open hand." Hold the hand open, the fingers extended and close together, with the thumb extended. It might be described as the position of the hand when one offers it to shake.

The "closed 'O' hand." Make "O" with the thumb and forefinger while all the other fingers are closed against the palm.

The "extended 'O' hand." Make "O" with the thumb and forefingers as above but extend all the other fingers straight out.

The "bent hand." Bend the fingers in toward the palm but not touching it. The fingers assume about the position they have in making "C," but the thumb is extended.

The "5 hand." Hold the hand open, the fingers extended and separated, as in showing the number 5.

In looking for any sign look for the word which most nearly seems to express the idea.

The Roman figures refer to the plate in which the illustration will be found, the Arabic figures to the number under the picture itself.