Sign Language Structure
Stokoe, Jr.
4.2 Table of Symbols
4.21. Symbols for cheremes of position, TAB only:
Name Symbol Description
Zero tab Q
(or blank
leftmost
space)
h
u
m the space in front of signer's body where hand movement is
easy and natural; allochers--regions within the whole space
Face
Brow
Mid-face
the head itself and space around it
the upper face from brows to hair line including temples
the eyes, nose, or any point between u and l contrasting
with them
Lower face
l
the chin, mouth, or lips
Side face
c
the cheek, ear, or jaw
Neck
k
the space between chin and chest
Body or trunk
[
the space from shoulders to hips inclusive
Upper arm
\
the region of the biceps
Elbow
j
the distal side of forearm, or elbow itself
Supine arm
a
the proximal side of forearm or wrist
Prone arm
b
the distal side of wrist or back or hand
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4.22. Symbols for cheremes of configuration, DEZ (including some TAB):
Name Symbol Description
Fist
Flat hand
Curved hand
Retracted hand
F-hand
Index
H-hand
Pinkie or I-hand
K-hand
L-hand
Bent-hand A, A/S, A t
B, 5
C, C #
E
F
G
H
I
K
L
M R-hand
V-hand
W-hand R
V
W the hand clasped with thumb in a, s or t, Fig. 1
the open or spread hand, thumb out or as in b, Fig. 1
the c and o of Fig, 1
the fingers clenched to palm: e, Fig. 1
thumb and forefinger touch, other fingers spread; f, Fig. 1
allocheric forms: g, d, l, of Fig. 1
the h, u, n of Fig. 1; first two fingers extended and joined
the little finger projects from closed hand; i, Fig. 1
the index, 2 nd , and thumb make k, Fig. 1
the thumb and index make right angle; 1, Fig. 1
the hand makes a dihedral angle, one allocher is the m of
Fig. 1
the first two fingers crossed; r, Fig. 1
the index and 2 nd extended and spread; v, Fig. 1
the first three fingers extended and spread
SASLJ, Vol. 2, No. 2 – Fall/Winter 2018
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