SignWriting
List
August 31, 2005
QUESTION
0085
SignSpelling Rule
1: Write the Position of Contact
It is important to write the two
hands contacting each other. The entire spelling
revolves around the position of contact like a
small universe. The position of contact is the
center of the sign, and the movement symbols and
contact stars relate to that center.
| |
|
Correct
Position
of Contact
Is the Center of the Sign |
Incorrect
Sign
is too spread out,
and the focus is missing. |
Contacted positions are more
important because they hold the meaning in signs.
The eye focuses on the contacted position, when
reading. This was tested with a group of Deaf
adults who were skilled in SignWriting (the DAC),
and we found that when the position of contact
was not written, readers had to piece the sign
together slowly, but when the two hands were written
together in the contacted position, like a unit,
the sign was read faster.
Writing the Position of Contact
also creates smaller signs in width and height,
which makes writing in vertical columns more centered
and compact, making the columns themselves less
wide. Examples below:
