[sw-l] SSS and IMWA

Wed Mar 30 16:08:13 UTC 2005

Thank you all for your explanations! Now I understand it!

Lucyna
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Valerie Sutton 
  To: sw-l at majordomo.valenciacc.edu 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 4:46 PM
  Subject: Re: [sw-l] SSS and IMWA

  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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