Sign Language Structure
Stokoe, Jr.
all sign language activity. Subjectively at least, it is a difference as great as that of timbre and pitch
of men’s and women’s voices.
1.11. Closely related to the manual alphabet is the system of digital numeration used by
the deaf. There is less uniformity in finger numbering than in finger-spelling; but a similar
combination of configuration, attitude and motion is characteristic of both. The first five cardinal
numerals are often but not invariably made with the palm of the hand toward the signer, while the
six through nine configurations are often done with the back of the hand toward the signer. Ten is
made by slightly shaking or jerking the flat with thumb uppermost. The system is strictly decimal,
the tens symbol being repeated, in full form or vestigally, through the second decade. Eleven
through fifteen and sixteen through nineteen may show the same reversal of attitude as the first
and second group of digits. Multiple digit numbers are signed by shaking the hand slightly forward
at successive points on a line from left to right in front of the signer.
In the following table, prepared by CGC and DCS shows many of the features of the
numeral system.
Table of Numeration
Number
10
11 Configuration
(Fingers: tb, 1, 2, 3, 4)
o of manual alphabet
1 upraised
1, 2 upraised
tb, 1, 2 upraised
1, 2, 3, 4 upraised
tb, 1, 2, 3, 4 upraised
tb, 4 tip contact; 3, 2, 1
upraised, slightly relaxed
tb, 3 tip contact; 4, 2, 1
upraised
tb, 2 tip contact; 4, 3, 1
upraised
tb, 1 tip contact; 4, 3, 2
upraised
tb upraised from fist a*
fist s, (1)** [see Motion] 12 fist s, (2) " "
13 fist s, (3) " "
14 [DCS: (3) upraised
fist a or s, (4)
"
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Attitude
edge of palm toward viewer
palm usually toward signer;
this is the case with 1-19,
except that, for emphasis or
visibility, 6-9 and 16-19 may
be signed with palm toward
none
"
"
"
"
"
" "
" "
" "
"
back of thumb to signer
palm usually toward signer
"
[DCS: (4) upraised
SASLJ, Vol. 2, No. 2 – Fall/Winter 2018
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Motion
"
shake or twist to right
(1) snaps up from
under thumb
(2) snaps up from
under thumb
(3) snaps or opens
from fist
nod 1, 2 together]
(4) snaps or opens
from fist
nod (4), tb in palm]