Appendix:Sign language handshapes

In hold-move charts, sign language hand configurations are specified in separate attributes for the forearm, the fingers, and the thumb. In entry pagenames, there are two types of handshape specifications. One type is used in entry pagenames for select handshapes with common names. The other type of handshape specification in entry pagenames is a simplified version of the system used in hold-move charts, used when (a) the list below does not include the handshape or (b) the sign language for the entry does not align well with the list of common handshape names below.

In hold-move charts, and for entry pagenames for signs with handshapes other than those described above, a detailed hand configuration is given as follows.

Forearm involvement: Most hand configurations use only the hand, but some use the forearm as well, e.g. ALL-DAY. This attribute is shown in hold-move charts, but it is omitted from entry pagenames.

The configuration of the fingers is specified by an attribute for the handshape, “2nd finger” attributes, and a lax attribute. The value of Handshape indicates which of the four fingers are extended and retracted.

The finger shape attribute can be modified by appending any of the following attributes:

The final set of hand configuration attributes specifies the rotation and configuration of the thumb. Unlike the fingers, the thumb can be unopposed or opposed. Like the fingers, the thumb can also be bent at the proximal joint, hooked at the distal joint, or closed at both joints.

If the thumb is in contact with any fingers, it can occur in four different ways: