<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; ">SignWriting List<DIV>January 6, 2006</DIV><DIV><BR><DIV><DIV>Cherie from Georgia wrote:</DIV><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><FONT size="2" face="sans-serif"><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; ">Do you need to copy the head? Would it be different if the contact point on the second handshape was the tip of the index finger instead of the thumb/middle fingers? I think I am struggling with how much detail needs to be there, and how much is too much... I know that 'it depends' (an interpreter's favorite phrase) -- enough so you can't mistake the sign for something else, unless you're doing research and need all the details-- but when I am reading/writing, I find I tend to want to be more specific than some of the signs I see in the signPuddle. </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></BLOCKQUOTE><BR></DIV><DIV>As far as how much detail to write...you can choose to write both beginning and ending hand positions right now...that is a good way to start... until you get more skilled...then later you can learn which ones to throw away, if you want a shorter writing...</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>There are some writing rules that we follow...I call those SignSpelling rules. They are very specific. You do not have to write both hand positions at all times, but when you throw one out, you need to keep the position that shows contact...because when reading documents our eyes look for the meaning in the contact...</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>The SignPuddle dictionaries on the web are what we call Community SignPuddles...they are free and open and anyone can add a sign without a password. So there are lots of writing errors in the Community SignPuddles, so it is best to base your learning on reading the SignSpelling Rules, rather than studying writing in the SignPuddles...It doesn't hurt to study SignPuddle, just as long as you realize there are all levels of writing, like a hodgepodge, in the ASL SignPuddle especially!</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Here are some web pages that I think you should read carefully...They have to do with positioning of movements symbols, and the fact that each sign has a Center, and that the Position of Contact is important...</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><A href="http://signwriting.org/lessons/elessons/less063.html">http://signwriting.org/lessons/elessons/less063.html</A></DIV><DIV>to....(and all inbetween)...</DIV><DIV><A href="http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/elessons/less074.html">http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/elessons/less074.html</A></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>If you write the beginning and ending of each sign, following the rules above, you will be doing beautifully!</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Val ;-)</DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>