Language Parameters
Language Parameters
Parameters of sign language are similar to speech sounds in spoken language. Changes in the parameter means that a different sign is produced in the same way that a change in sound means that a different word is being said. The 5 parameters of signed languages are explained below.
Handshape:
- Shape of the hand when a sign is produced.
- Hands are labelled dominant and non-dominant based on your handedness. If you write with your right hand, your dominant hand is the right hand.
- Handshape(s) may change when producing a sign.
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/1-90fde6-150x150.png)
1
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/3-887b08-150x150.png)
3
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/4-b09a5e-150x150.png)
4
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/5-3ddcbe-150x150.png)
5
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/2023-12-19/sign-6-ver-6-0c05fc.jpg)
6
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/2023-12-19/sign-7-ver-5-91c43c.jpg)
7
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/8-e92742-150x150.png)
8
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/A-cbfd94-150x150.png)
A
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/B-050324-150x150.png)
B
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Baby-O-0fcfd7-150x150.png)
Baby O
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Bent-B-264a27-150x150.png)
Bent B
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/C-f583b2-150x150.png)
C
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Closed-5-b6f440-150x150.png)
Closed 5
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Curved-3-248591-150x150.png)
Curved 3
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Curved-5-a32b12-150x150.png)
Curved 5
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Curved-V-db8bdc-150x150.png)
Curved V
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Curved-L-f51083-150x150.png)
Curved- L
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/D-6e5a8f-150x150.png)
D
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/E-1fc77e-150x150.png)
E
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/F-81b13d-150x150.png)
F
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/2023-12-19/sign-flat-C-a2eef8.jpg)
Flat-C
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Flat-O-af23c0-150x150.png)
Flat-O
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/G-f71b5a-150x150.png)
G
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/H-cc8712-150x150.png)
H
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/I-221445-150x150.png)
I
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/I-L-a05d81-150x150.png)
I-L
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/K-f93df3-150x150.png)
K
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/L-9b37bc-150x150.png)
L
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/M-6daf9e-150x150.png)
M
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/N-584143-150x150.png)
N
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/O-e3aa7d-150x150.png)
O
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Open-8-2322f5-150x150.png)
Open 8
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Open-A-02502f-150x150.png)
Open A
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Open-B-394378-150x150.png)
Open B
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Open-F-d7df64-150x150.png)
Open F
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Open-M-c0d180-150x150.png)
Open M
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Open-N-8e547b-150x150.png)
Open N
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/R-d5a35d-150x150.png)
R
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/S-7e9b8a-150x150.png)
S
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Spread-8-fc84bd-150x150.png)
Spread 8
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Spread-F-25e909-150x150.png)
Spread F
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Spread-O-3e6335-150x150.png)
Spread O
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/T-8efcd3-150x150.png)
T
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/V-10cd3f-150x150.png)
V
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/W-3acad3-150x150.png)
W
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/X-1d460a-150x150.png)
X
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/4/Y-40f396-150x150.png)
Y
Orientation:
- Direction in which the palm is facing with relation to the body, when making a sign.
- Palm may be facing in, out, sideways, up, or down. There are also signs whereby the hands are positioned diagonally.
- Orientation may change when making a sign.
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/13/hand-orientation-1-e72e31.png)
In
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/13/hand-orientation-2-ede5ec.png)
Out
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/13/hand-orientation-3-986eac.png)
Down
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/13/hand-orientation-4-e99e5b.png)
Up
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/13/hand-orientation-5-6ead20.png)
Inside
![](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/sgslsignbank/files/formidable/13/hand-orientation-6-1d886c.png)
Outside
Location:
- Signs are made within a signing space, usually from slightly above the head to the waist. This parameter refers to the location of the hand when signing within this space.
- These are the locations where signs are expressed:
- Head
- Neck
- Body
- Arm
- Non-dominant Hand
- Neutral Space
- Location may change when producing a sign.
Movement:
- Way in which signs move when produced.
- There are 3 types of movement:
- Through a path whereby the hand moves to a different location.
- Local movement at the hand and wrist.
- Movement at the fingers.
- Not all signs involve movement.
Non-manual Markers (NMM):
- Grammatical and semantic features of sign language beyond the hand.
- Features include:
- Facial Expressions
- Mouthing
- Head movement
- Body movement