SignWriting List
February 4, 2000

QUESTION 0016:
How do I write the eyes closing during the production of a sign? I would like to write a sign (CLOSE-EYES) in which the eyes are open at the beginning of the sign and closed at the end.


ANSWER 0016:
It is best to place the arrow "on top of the finishing position", rather than on top of the beginning position....since the movement itself is between the two positions....

EXAMPLES 0016

Referring to Example 0016 above:

The little arrow above the hands, means that a "Hinge Motion" occured at the knuckle joints of the hands, and the ending position places the fingers together.

This Hinge Motion can also be applied to eyelids.... Notice the "batting eyelashes", which shows movement of the eyelids up and down....

So the little arrow can be used for "Knuckle Joint Movement" but it is also used for "Eyelid Movement"....

However, we assume normally, that signs start with open eyes. Therefore it may not be necessary to write the eyelid movement. By simply showing the eyes closed, that may be enough, since the norm is to have them open...just a thought...

SignWriting List
February 6, 2000

QUESTION 0017:
How do I write sequential movement ...down-down-down... while moving forward at the same time?

ANSWER 0017:
1. shows movement forward cutting space moving down, down, down - it is sharp movement down (not curved)...

 EXAMPLES 0017