Obraz (82)

The Concept of Skquentiali'iy in the Dkscription of Signs '    31

FIGURĘ 14. Signs that have the same handshape, according to Stokoe's system.

In the Stokoe system, a sequence of two movements is shown in the movement part of the trąnicription. The sign MILLION would be written as follows:

MILLION    BO.B*-*

This notation means that the bent B handshape of the active hand (B) contacts the base hand (palm up, Ba) once in a sharp movement (x) and then moves away from the signer (-l) and repeats the contacting movement (x). The sequence of move-ments, then, is represented as *- *. In the Stokoe system, when there is a sequence of handshapes, orientations, or locations, the change is shown in the movement por-tion. For example, UNDERSTAND has two handshapes, X and G (in the Stokoe system), and the second handshape is shown with the movement

ⁿX_Tnt^Gi

This notation means that the handshape X moves toward the signer (t) at the fore-head (ⁿ) and that there is an opening action (□) that results in the handshape G.

The sequence of orientation in the sign DIE is shown in the movement

BdBGd

This notation means that one hand begins with the palm down (BD) and the other hand begins with the palm up (Ba). In the course of producing the sign, the orientation of each hand changes so that Dbecomes a and abecomes D.

In one variant of the sign DEAF, the G handshape moves upward (^A), contacts the face (x) and then moves toward the signer (t) and contacts the face again. The sign is represented as follows:

uGa*tx

So the sequence of locations is shown by xyx

It is not that the Stokoe system ignores sequences of handshapes, locations, and orientations. These sequences are seen as a function of the movement component. It is essential to understand that in Stokoe s system these sequences are seen as