handshape
Sign in to saveAlso known as handform, dez, DEZ
In sign languages, handshape, or dez, refers to the distinctive configurations that the hands take as they are used to form words. In Stokoe terminology it is known as the , an abbreviation of designator. Handshape is one of five components of a sign, along with location (), orientation (), movement (), and nonmanual features. Different sign languages make use of different handshapes.
In the Vinony graph
Within Vinony's link graph, handshape is referenced by 317 other articles, and connects out to Varieties of American Sign Language, Hawaiʻi Sign Language and German Sign Language.
It is catalogued under topics including Sign language and United States-centric.
Its subject is documented across 5 Wikipedia language editions.
Wikidata facts
- Image
- American finger alphabet engraving.png
Show 4 more facts
- characteristic of
- hand
- facet of
- sign language
- short name
- DEZ
- Commons category
- Handshapes
Sources (1)
via Wikidata · CC0
~2 min read
Encyclopedic overview
4 sectionsContents
- Constraints
- In American Sign Language
- See also
- References
In sign languages, handshape, or dez, refers to the distinctive configurations that the hands take as they are used to form words. In Stokoe terminology it is known as the , an abbreviation of designator. Handshape is one of five components of a sign, along with location (), orientation (), movement (), and nonmanual features. Different sign languages make use of different handshapes.
== Constraints == Possible handshapes are constrained by a variety of mechanic and neural factors. Evolutionary forces have led to some handshapes being easier or more natural for humans to produce than others. These tendencies can be summarized as follows: The selected (extended) finger is either the thumb or the index finger Neighboring fingers are coupled All fingers have the same shape
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “handshape” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.