Edges vs. Contours

[Karlin, Ben]

I am curious about impact of various features on intelligibility of
signs.  I remember Klima and Bellugi had some work on marked and
unmarked handshapes and I know the popular convention of interpreters
wearing clothes contrasting with skin color to better show handshapes.
Observation, though, shows me that the interior contours of a sign
(revealed primarily by shadows) have a strong impact as well.  Anyone
know of work done on this?
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Ben Karlin      <KARLIB at mail.dmh.state.mo.us>
St Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center
5300 W Arsenal St, St Louis, MO  63139-1494
Phone 314 644-8270 V/TTY |  Fax 314 644-8115