Request for Research Data

[Valerie Sutton]

SignWriting List
April 15, 2006

Stuart Thiessen in Iowa wrote:
> Thank you for the question for clarification. I am not really looking
> for "simple" signs. I am looking for signs which are easily written
> because it is clear from the rules how to write it. For example, the
> ASL sign DEAF is an easy sign because the rules are very clear on how
> to write that particular sign. It is unlikely that we would differ ...
> much ... in how we write that sign. Preferably the 5 example easy
> signs should at least have some contact and/or movement involved in
> the sign. The signs themselves may be very complex, but the way to
> write it is clearly defined for the writer.

OK. That is really a question then, as to whether the SignSpelling  
Rules are clear or not.

It sounds like a study of the application of the Spelling Rules and  
whether they work or not, and where are the exceptions?

I would suggest first reviewing SignSpelling Rule 1 and 2
(I know you know them already ;-)

SignSpelling Rule 1 starts here...
http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/elessons/less063.html

then read all the web pages inbetween until this last page:

http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/elessons/less074.html
(SignSpelling Rule 2 finishes on this web page)

and then take a bunch of signs and try to apply the Spelling Rules to  
them, and find which ones fit well, and are easy to follow the rules,  
and which ones have other issues...

>
> The other 20 example signs I am asking for involve more complexity in
> how we would write it. It may be an issue of the rules being unclear
> or an issue of the number of symbols or the placement of symbols in
> order to transcribe that sign.  I am assuming that these particular
> signs will likely come up only in actual usage rather than dictionary
> forms. For example, AIRPLANE-FLYING as a classifier is probably a
> pretty easy sign to write, but to write AIRPLANE-LANDING might be a
> little less easy. Or AIRPLANE-FLYING-OVER-LAND is probably more
> difficult than AIRPLANE-FLYING. (I haven't had a chance to see if
> these are in the ASL SignPuddle or not, but if they are not, I will
> add them on Monday so you can see what I mean.)

Sure. That sounds like a good idea. Looking through Sign Language  
documents is another way to find signs to study...

  For example, this web page gives you some signs to look at:

http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/grammar/adverbs09.html



>
> I realize some of this I could do through a check of the SignPuddles,
> but I am also interested in seeing what the users consider to be
> difficult signs. Perhaps I might not see it as difficult but someone
> else might feel that way. I still would like to see that perspective.
> That perspective is something I wouldn't get if I just went through
> the dictionaries myself.
>
> If you would rather just send me a page or so of SW text that you have
> already written with some signs circled to let me know which ones were
> challenging and which ones were not, that is fine also. The more data
> I can get, the better for my research.


You know, I don't think I am qualified to answer this research  
question...I am too involved with the building of the writing system  
to have a perspective on it..I know of areas that I feel the system  
is weak, and could maybe be improved...but is that the same question?  
Not really...

Sounds like a good study and I look forward to learning more about  
your findings...smile...I hope others can get involved ;-))

Val ;-)