Handshapes and systematic discussion

[MARIA AZZOPARDI]

Hi all,

Just my two cents worth.

I find ISWA 2008 perfect - and I have and continue to use it for long
documents of running LSM text.

I don't think the writing system actually needs any more detail or
precision at all. All that needs to be evolve now is that each sign
language standardises his language using ISWA 2008. The important thing is
that a community of users of a sign language recognise their signs in
their language - and everyone writes it the same way.

Let me try and give an example. In LSM, I've written MAN - maybe 3-4
different ways - it can be read in all the different forms produced - the
cruciality now is simply choosing ONE form so that it becomes standard. It
is irrevelant whether the handshape chosen for signwritten X is exactly as
it appears in natural signing - no! If you want the exact shape - draw it!
Signwriting is about language not drawings. All that is needed now, is
that all sign language users recognise and agree that signwritten X refers
to sign X in their language. Although there are hundreds of different
accents around the world for spoken English, the word 'different' is
always written like this whether people pronounce it differently or not.

I think the ISWA 2008 exhausts all the phonetic possibilities of sign
langauges - and if in very cases it does not - there is still enough
symbols to make signwriting readable (in technical terms: to create 
phonological inventories or alphabets for different sign languages)- that
is all that matters, that signwriting is readable and not a copy of real
signing.

Take care ye all :)

Maria
> Steve, this reply answers a lot of questions in a very positive way.  The
> fact that release notes are included makes all the difference in the
> world.  Any system has its points of discussion, letting people know that
> there is flexibility allows for teachers to make choices. 
>
> Without that proviso it feels as it if it fixed in stone, not a flexible
> system that has its very positive system and sometimes confusing small
> points.  This mirror reflection discussion is a point of reference that
> means that the symbol one wants is there, just not in an expected place,
> and that can be worked around. 
>
> Charles
>
>
>
> --- On Tue, 6/2/09, Steve Slevinski <slevin at signpuddle.net> wrote:
>
> From: Steve Slevinski <slevin at signpuddle.net>
> Subject: Re: [sw-l] RE: Handshapes and systematic discussion
> To: "SignWriting List" <sw-l at majordomo.valenciacc.edu>
> Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 9:30 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi Charles,
>
>
>
> Charles Butler wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>         As we start getting photographs being laid side by side
> with the graphics that have been created, I think we are going to come
> to a MUCH BETTER consensus discussion and if that means that the ISWA
> has to be edited, then so much the better.  All of us can be consulted
> and come to a happy decision. 
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> If you want to start making notes for the ISWA 2012, please go ahead. 
> Valerie and Adam are documenting the ISWA 2008 so you'll be getting
> more and more information to work with.
>
>
>
> The ISWA 2008 will not be changing.  I highly doubt the ISWA will be
> revisited in the near future.  We have limited time and resources and
> we are moving forward.  Your attitude reinforces the idea that we are
> not ready for Unicode yet unless people accept the idea that no writing
> system is perfect and that knowledge can be gained by understanding the
> imperfections. 
>
>
>
> The ISWA 2008 was a labor of love.  We already had a formal review and
> that review ended last year.  The ISWA 2008 is the current standard for
> SignWriting.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> -Steve
>
>
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
>
>
>
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