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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 7/23/15 10:39 AM, Adrean Clark
wrote:<br>
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<div class="gmail_signature"> However, I didn't give up on
written SL in general. This is because of my comics
work. It drove me nuts that other artists could write
comics in their native language and I couldn't. ASLwrite
gave me the ability to quickly create full ASL dialogue
in 2D space. In a roundabout way it eventually brought
me back to Signwriting, not as my chosen method for
expression but as one that I could finally grasp and
learn from. <br>
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Welcome to SignWriting. <br>
<br>
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<pre wrap="">the Signwriting software is way over my head at
this point but I can see the potential for it to fork so that it can
be a platform to support planar* written ASL in general.</pre>
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<br>
Yes indeed. All of the software is available as open source. A
quick way to adapt the software is to create a new font for
SignWriting.<br>
<br>
The current font is a style called "Block Printing".<br>
<br>
The ASLWrite font would be a style of "Handwriting" or "Cursive".<br>
<br>
When I see ASLWrite, I see SignWriting that someone has written by
hand using a lot of personal efficiencies. This type of writing
is great for individuals or groups of people who interact.<br>
<br>
The Block Printing that you consider too rough is a result of
years and decades of real world use and Val's design interacting.
The symbols of block printing are full of featural information
that helps people understand the individual symbols within the
2-dimensional arrangement. The Block Printing of SignWriting is
Universal for all sign languages because of this design.<br>
<br>
Cursive handwriting uses less features and fewer details. It's
great for taking notes. As yet, there is no universal style of
handwriting for SignWriting. But everyone who writes SignWriting
by hand takes personal liberties for speed that creates a barrier
for others. Here's what Val's has to say about the matter of
Block Printing and Handwriting.<br>
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<blockquote><i>SignWriting Block Printing is easy to read. It is
designed for the reader. The Printing can be written by hand
as well as by computer. If I am writing a letter to a friend
in ASL, I write the letter in SignWriting Printing, taking the
time to make sure that my handwritten-symbols are easy and
clear to read. I try to write as clearly as if I were using a
computer. Of course it is slower, but it is worth it, knowing
that my friend will be able to read my letter! </i>
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<blockquote><i>SignWriting Handwriting is easier to write by hand,
than the Printing. It is designed for the writer. There are
several variations of Handwriting, and since most of the time,
the writer is only writing for private notes, some writers
create their own shortcuts that work just for them...and that
is fine!</i><br>
</blockquote>
<br>
Online we mostly see the Block Printing of SignWriting. This
style is for computers and for publishing. But people all over
the world write SignWriting by hand every day. I bet some of it
looks like ASLWrite. I wrote a short essay about the SignWriting
Script.<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://signpuddle.net/mediawiki/index.php/SignWriting_Script">http://signpuddle.net/mediawiki/index.php/SignWriting_Script</a><br>
<br>
If you are interested in building an ASLWrite font that works with
SignWriting, it would takes years of SVG work. If you map onto
the ISWA 2010, the work is possible. You would need to define
ASLWrite as a alphabetic subset of the ISWA 2010. After the
subset was defined, all of the symbols would need individual
SVGs. Some of this work can be automated, but it's mostly grunt
work as Adam Frost can attest. Once the SVGs are ready, we create
a new TrueType font. <br>
<br>
With 2-dimensional arrangements, the size and shape of the
individual symbols is very important. If you tried to match the
general size and shape of the SignWriting symbols, the sub-font
should work perfectly. Feel free to contact me privately and I
can give you some homework. Maybe you can present during the 2017
symposium.<br>
<br>
Beyond a simple font, it would be possible to create a new model
for a 2-dimensional script and reuse many of the parts that I've
created for SignWriting. You may be interested in viewing a quick
18 slide presentation which discusses "Digital Collaboration with
machine-readable sign language text in the SignWriting Script".
You can ignore the first few slides about Wikipedia.<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.signwriting.org/symposium/presentation0031.html#slides">http://www.signwriting.org/symposium/presentation0031.html#slides</a><br>
<br>
<img src="cid:part1.02010403.04010207@signpuddle.net" alt=""><br>
<br>
<br>
Creating a new standard is difficult. The balancing act between
the specification and the implementations and the real world usage
is difficult and frustrating. For SignWriting, I think we have
finally established our standard. Years before, we were very
unstable. We had several mass data conversions between symbol
sets and data encodings. Now, our standard symbol set has been
stable since 2010 and our data since the beginning of 2012.<br>
<br>
The 2-dimensional model of SignWriting is like no other script. I
hope you were able to watch the search demonstration yesterday. <br>
<br>
<br>
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cite="mid:CAF6vW_DQzy8dHLntBUUZ=NM=ePPh9R-NO7ZC+GxOHHAD9qu53w@mail.gmail.com"
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<pre wrap="">(*Linear vs. planar refers to the main categories of writing SL.
Linear is a la Stokoe where the elements of a signed word are placed
next to each other like English letters. Planar is what Signwriting
does by condensing 3D language into a 2D space.)
</pre>
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I've never applied "planar" to 2-dimensional spatial writing
before. Is this a common term or your preference?<br>
<br>
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<div class="gmail_signature">why people are resistant to
Signwriting. I hope my brief story helps a bit. It's
been inspiring to see the body of work and the community
here. I have a lot of respect for that.<br>
<br>
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It was a very interesting story. Thanks for sharing. <br>
<br>
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<div class="gmail_signature">Perhaps the first step to
dismantling the general resistance to written SL is to
construct a framework, whether physical or mental, where
the evidence for a written SL is clear. </div>
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I am a fan of 2-dimensional writing for sign languages. The linear
scripts are ugly and cryptic.<br>
<br>
I think the evidence is clear and I think that sign language scripts
can stand together. Sign languages are written languages.<br>
<br>
<br>
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<div>
<div class="gmail_signature">Then within that framework the
second step would be to provide access to several written
SL to see which particular one best fits the individual or
group. </div>
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<br>
Here I disagree. SignWriting is the only complete solution. The
writing is grammatically correct with vertical columns and lanes.
We collaborate digitally with our computer programs. We have an
International community that can share and learn together. We have
several handwriting styles and people are free to make their own.<br>
<br>
In a school environment, students should definitely learn the Block
Printing style of SignWriting, but they should also have practice
writing by hand. Handwriting practice should include quick
handwriting and more involved block printing.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
-Steve<br>
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