[sw-l] SSS and IMWA

[Valerie Sutton]

SignWriting List
March 30, 2005

Dear SW Listers -
Excellent descriptions below. It is because of SignPuddle, that I have 
been able to improve the IMWA. The symbols were always written by hand, 
but getting them all in a computer program has been the problem. That 
is why we had limited or smaller symbolsets in the past. Most computer 
programs could not handle so many symbols. But SignBank and SignPuddle 
have made it possible to include all symbols of the IMWA...and this has 
also made it possible to add new symbols when needed to the same 
symbolset...so yes, it used to be called the SSS-2004...But I wonder if 
in the future we could call it the SSS-IMWA, which may expand as time 
goes on? Will that name work, Stephen? Val ;-)

-----------------------

On Mar 30, 2005, at 6:32 AM, Stephen Slevinski wrote:

> SSS-1995 and SSS-1999 are used in SignWriter Dos and Java.  Both of 
> these sets do not contain all of the symbols needed to write any type 
> of movement..
>  
> Next came the SSS-2002, with a different numbering scheme and more 
> symbols.
>  
> Finally came the SSS-2004.  This was the first set with enough symbols 
> to claim the title of the International Movement Writing Alphabet.  It 
> does not have every symbol needed, but it has room to grow.  The 
> numbering scheme will not change.  The specific number for any 
> particular symbol will not change.  It is an exhaustive and stable 
> set.
>  
> So the term IMWA is a rebranding of the SSS. 
>   
> While conversion routines are needed between the various SSS (1995, 
> 1999, 2002, 2004), the IMWA will not need conversion routines. Once 
> something is written in the IMWA, it will still be valid and correct 
> for future versions of the IMWA. 
>  
> -Stephen
>  
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-sw-l at majordomo.valenciacc.edu 
> [mailto:owner-sw-l at majordomo.valenciacc.edu]On Behalf Of Charles 
> Butler
> Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:45 AM
> To: sw-l at majordomo.valenciacc.edu
> Subject: Re: [sw-l] SSS and IMWA
>
> My understanding of the difference is in their names.
>  
> SSS is Sign Symbol Sequence, an ordering system to the various 
> characters of SignWriting(R).  It is only those characters used for 
> writing signed languages, not other systems of movement such 
> DanceWriting(R) and SportsWriting(R).
>  
> IMWA is the International Movement Writing Alphabet, a set of symbols 
> taking into account the entire system of Movement Writing, which is 
> larger than the set used for everyday Sign Writing. 
>   
> While the IMWA is connected to the SSS, that is not the only possible 
> ordering, only a technique that helps to ensure that all handshapes 
> used in a given sign language are structured.
>  
> The IMWA is parallel to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) used 
> to write down all human utterance in speech.  The IMWA has the 
> capability of writing down ALL movement of things that move (humans, 
> animals, insects, presumably machines).  As the larger of the two 
> systems of SSS and IMWA, any sign language can draw upon the larger 
> system if it needs to show critical differences in signs (examples 
> such as touching the lower leg, patting oneself on the back, and 
> movements from dance and ballet that often do not occur in a given 
> sign language).  
>  
> Does that help?
>  
> Charles Butler
>  
>
>
> Lucyna Dlugolecka <deafie at gmx.net> wrote:
> Well, I am preparing my lecture on SW and I would like to know what is 
> the difference between SSS and IMWA... I have read the definitions but 
> I can't find the difference..
>  
> Lucyna
>  
>  
> GG 3618151 SMS +48505273292
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