SignWriting List
January 11, 2011

QUESTION 0097

Contact on the NECK and SHOULDERS

How do we write a movement that is relating to the lower part of the neck? Do I use the Shoulder Line and place the hands on top of the Shoulder Line? The movement looks too low on the chest when I write it that way, and the hands cover up the Shoulder Line and it is hard to read the hands on top of the Shoulders...

ANSWER 0097

The Neck Symbol is attached to the circle for the Head:

It is used to write signs that relate to the neck. It can also be used to write signs that are located NEAR the lower part of the neck or top part of the shoulders.

So, if you are having trouble writing a sign that takes place at the shoulders or lower neck region, you can use the Neck Symbol instead of the Shoulder LIne, if that will make the writing of the sign clearer.

The Neck Symbol is also useful, if your sign is near the shoulders, and also has a facial expression. Since the Neck Symbol is attached to a Head Circle, the writing of the sign is very compact since the facial expression can be placed in the circle for the head.

Here are some examples:

Sign Meaning	with Neck Symbol	with Shoulder Line
Sign for BABADOR (baby's bib) in Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS)
Sign for TWO YEARS AGO in American Sign Language (ASL)

Note: Choosing writing the Neck Symbol or the Shoulder Line are both correct in the above examples. It is a matter of choice as to what looks the best.