Gestures and Sign Languages

GROUP : 9
Members
• Khuzaima Aprilia Utami

• Nur Intan Saputry
• A. Muhammad Nur Rifki
• Firdaniatul Mukarramah
Gestures and Sign Languages: A Comprehensive Overview
Gestures
Gestures are bodily movements or postures that convey meaning or supplement speech. They
are an integral part of human communication, often used unconsciously to emphasize points,
express emotions, or provide additional context. Gestures can be categorized into several
types:
Types of gestures:
1. ⁠ ⁠Iconic gestures: These gestures represent objects or actions by mimicking their form
or movement. For example, tracing a circular shape in the air to represent a wheel.
2. ⁠Pantomimic gestures: Involve exaggerated movements to act out actions or depict
scenes, like pretending to fish by making the motion of casting a fishing line.
3. ⁠Deictic gestures: These gestures point to or indicate objects or locations. For
instance, pointing at something while speaking.
4. Beat gestures: Rhythmically accompany speech to emphasize certain words or
phrases. They do not carry specific meanings but help in pacing or highlighting parts
of speech.
5. ⁠Emblematic gestures: These are conventional gestures that carry a specific meaning
within a culture, such as a thumbs-up for approval or waving to say goodbye.
Types of Sign Languages

Sign languages are full-fledged languages with their own grammar, vocabulary, and syntax,
used primarily by deaf individuals. They differ significantly from spoken languages and are
often categorized based on their linguistic features and historical origins:
1. Manually coded English (MCE): Systems that represent English words and
grammatical structures through handshapes and movements. Examples include Signed
Exact English (SEE) and American Sign Language (ASL) with English fingerspelling.
2. Pidgin sign languages: Simplified forms of sign languages that emerge through
contact between deaf individuals from different linguistic backgrounds.
3. Indigenous sign languages: Sign languages that have developed organically within
deaf communities, often with unique grammatical structures and vocabularies.
Examples include American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL).
Oralism
Oralism is an educational approach that emphasizes teaching deaf individuals to speak and
lip-read rather than using sign language. This method was widely used in the past but has
faced criticism for its limitations in effectively communicating with deaf individuals and for
its potential to marginalize sign language.
Signed English
Signed English is a system of representing English words and grammatical structures through
handshapes and movements. It differs from ASL in its adherence to English word order and
grammar, using fingerspelling for many English words.
Origins of ASL
American Sign Language (ASL) is believed to have originated from a combination of French
Sign Language (LSF) and indigenous sign languages used by Native American tribes. French
missionaries and deaf individuals brought LSF to North America in the 17th and 18th
centuries, leading to the development of ASL.
The Structure of Signs

ASL signs are composed of several elements that contribute to their meaning:
1. Shape:The configuration of the fingers and hand.
2. Orientation: The direction the hand faces.
3. Location:The position of the hand in relation to the body or signing space.
4. Movement:The path the hand takes during the sign.
5. Facial expression:Non-manual markers that provide additional information or
emotional context.
-In the context of sign languages, specifically American Sign Language (ASL), shape and
orientation are two key components that contribute to the meaning of a sign:
Shape and orientation
• Shape refers to the configuration or form of the hand(s) while performing a sign.
Different handshapes represent different concepts or letters. For example, the handshape for
the letter "A" in ASL is a closed fist with the thumb resting alongside the fingers, while the
shape for "B" is an open hand with fingers together and palm forward.
• Orientation refers to the direction in which the hand is facing during the sign.
The hand may face up, down, toward the signer, or away from the signer, and changing the
orientation can change the meaning of the sign. For instance, a palm facing up may mean
something different from a palm facing down.
Both shape and orientation are crucial in distinguishing different signs and ensuring clear
communication in ASL.
In sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL), location and movement are
two additional critical components that influence the meaning of a sign:
Location and Movement
• Location refers to where the sign is performed in relation to the body.

Signs can be made near different parts of the body such as the head, chest, or hands. The
meaning of a sign can change depending on its location. For example, placing a hand near the
forehead might mean "father," whereas the same handshape near the chin could mean
"mother."
• Movement refers to the path or action the hand(s) take during a sign.
Movement can involve changes in direction (up, down, back, forth), repetition, speed, or
shape alteration. Different types of movement can modify or completely change the meaning
of a sign. For instance, a simple circular movement versus a tapping motion can create
different signs, even if the handshape and location remain the same.
Both location and movement are essential in conveying accurate meaning in sign languages.
A small change in movement or location can result in an entirely different sign.
Primes, Faces, and Finger-spelling
1. Primes:Basic handshapes used as building blocks for many ASL signs.
2. Faces: Facial expressions and movements that convey grammatical information or
emotional emphasis.
3. Finger-spelling:Representing individual letters of the English alphabet with
handshapecs.
The Meaning of Signs

The meaning of an ASL sign is determined by its components (shape, orientation, location,
movement) as well as its context and the facial expressions accompanying it. ASL is a
complex language with a rich vocabulary and grammar.
Representing Signs
ASL signs can be represented through various methods, including:
1. Written notation: Using glosses (written representations of ASL signs) and
fingerspelling.
2. Videos and animations: Demonstrating sign movements and facial expressions.
3. Tactile signing: Using touch to convey sign information to individuals who are blind
or have low vision.
ASL as a Natural Language

In essence, American Sign Language (ASL) is a natural language that developed
organically within the Deaf community, with its own unique grammar, syntax, and
vocabulary, independent of spoken languages like English. ASL uses a visual-spatial
modality—combining handshapes, movements, location, and facial expressions—to convey
meaning. Additionally, ASL holds strong cultural significance within the Deaf community
and continues to evolve, just like other natural languages.

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GROUP : 9

• Khuzaima Aprilia Utami

Gestures and Sign Languages: A Comprehensive Overview

Types of Sign Languages

The Structure of Signs

Shape and orientation

Location and Movement

• Location refers to where the sign is performed in relation to the body.

The Meaning of Signs

ASL as a Natural Language

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