Elliptical circle vs. True circle

[Stuart Thiessen]

I think at least on the research level, ASL makes that distinction so 
we probably need some convention of writing it whether it is a symbol 
or an agreed combination of symbols so we know to read that as an 
ellipse. It may be that with everyday writing, some convention will 
happen that will make the distinction.  But for other research purposes 
outside of ASL or until the language has a chance to see what it really 
needs or not, having something that means an ellipse would be helpful.  
If the convention is using a combination of curved arrows, that is 
fine.  I just wanted to be sure that what I write would make sense. 
Charles' FLY ON AND ON does a pretty good job of capturing the movement 
for the "D" shape.  I suspect the D shape sometimes changes to an 
ellipse for an easier movement that is different from a circle.  An 
example would be the sign SICK, but instead of just contact with the 
forehead, you have a ellipse that goes down and forward then up and 
back. That movement repeats 2 or 3 times. The ellipse will be squashed 
vertically in this example.  Does this make sense?

Thanks,

Stuart

On Jul 31, 2005, at 22:16, Valerie Sutton wrote:

> SignWriting List
> July 31, 2005
>
>> Stuart Thiessen wrote:
>> If I need to write an elliptical circle vs. truly round circle, how 
>> do I express that? In the particular example I am working through, I 
>> am working on the circles on the Z plane (side wall). Of course it 
>> might be nice to see how it would in the other planes as well.
>
> Hello Stuart!
> Thanks for this question. The symbols that are full-circles are not 
> showing eliptical movement. They are writing full normal circles. The 
> attached diagram shows some of them. Even though they may look a 
> little eliptical, full circle symbols always mean a full normal 
> circle.
>
> If I had to write an elipse instead of a circle, I guess I would 
> divide the circle into two curved arrows to get the feeling of the 
> elipse...a little like what Charles wrote in a previous message...
>
> Are there signs in ASL that need that difference for true meaning 
> differentiation? Or are we just discussing this to see IF it can be 
> written? Those are two very different questions...If you really need 
> it because the meaning is not clear without it, then let's write the 
> sign together...can you show it to me? Do you have a little QuickTime 
> video clip? or try to write it in SignPuddle....Once I see it, I might 
> have some other ideas...
>
> PS. What is the Z plane?... I assume that is depth?
>
> Val ;-)
>
> <Circles.gif>