SignWriting

Sign Languages Are Written Languages!

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane
American Sign Language
Hand Symbols
by
Adam Frost and Valerie Sutton
 SignWriting
Sign Languages Are Written Languages!

American Sign Language

Hand Symbols
Palm of Hand
by Front View
Adam Frost & Valerie Sutton
Parallel Wall Plane
ISBN: 978-0-914336-82-2
First Edition

Copyright 2013
Center for Sutton Movement Writing, Inc. Side of Hand
All Rights Reserved Front View
Parallel Wall Plane
The SignWriting System was first
invented by Valerie Sutton in 1974.

This book documents the hand symbols used

in American Sign Language (ASL) based on
the International SignWriting Alphabet 2010
Back of Hand
by Valerie Sutton
Front View
All photos are photographed Parallel Wall Plane
by Adam Frost.
All photos are of Adams own hands!

All symbols were enlarged and

graphically perfected by Adam Frost.
Palm of Hand
The ISWA 2008 and 2010 are two symbolsets Top View
made possible by the encouragement and Parallel Floor Plane
software development of Stephen E. Slevinski, Jr

This manual is posted on the web:

SignWriting Lessons Books
http://www.SignWriting.org/lessons/books
Side of Hand
All symbols in the
Top View
International SignWriting Alphabet are free
to use under the SIL OFL Open Font License. Parallel Floor Plane

Published by
The SignWriting Press Back of Hand
http://www.SignWriting.org/shop
Top View
Deaf Action Committee for SignWriting Parallel Floor Plane
http://www.SignWriting.org/deaf

Center for Sutton Movement Writing, Inc.

an educational 501c3 non-profit organization
Box 517 La Jolla CA 92038-0517 USA
858-456-0098 SignWriting.org SignBank.org
 ASL Hand Symbols
by
Adam Frost & Valerie Sutton

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane
All hand photos are photographed by Adam Frost.
All hand photos are of Adams own hands.
All symbols were enlarged and graphically perfected by Adam too!

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

This book uses some of the hand symbols of the

International SignWriting Alphabet 2010
by Valerie Sutton
 Table of Contents
Ten Hand Symbol Groups.......................................................................01
Expressive Front View.............................................................................02
Expressive Top View...............................................................................03
Hands Relate to Center...........................................................................04
Wall Plane & Floor Plane.........................................................................05
Palm of Hand
Hands Pointing to the Side......................................................................06
Front View
Chapter 1: Group 1: Index....................................................................07Wall Plane
Parallel
01-01-001.............Index...........................................................................08
01-01-002.............Index on Circle...........................................................09
01-01-006 ............Index on Angle............................................................10
01-01-007 ............Index Bent.................................................................. 11
01-01-011 ............Index Cup...................................................................12
Side of Hand
Chapter 2: Group 2: Index Middle........................................................13 Front View
01-02-001.............Index Middle...............................................................14Wall Plane
Parallel
01-02-003 ............Index Middle Bent.......................................................15
01-02-008 ............Index Middle Unit........................................................16
01-02-011 ............Index Middle Unit, Cup...............................................17
01-02-012 ............Index Middle Unit, Hinge............................................18
01-02-013 ............Index Middle Cross.....................................................19
Back of Hand
Finger Direction Is Meaningful.................................................................20
Front View
Chapter 3: Group 3: Index Middle Thumb...........................................21 Parallel Wall Plane
01-03-001 ............Index Middle Thumb...................................................22
01-03-004 ............Index Middle Bent, Thumb Straight............................23
01-03-005 ............Index Middle Thumb Bent..........................................24
01-03-007 ............Index Up, Middle Hinge, Thumb Side.........................25
01-03-011 ............Index Middle Thumb Cup...........................................26
01-03-012 ............Index Middle Thumb Circle.........................................27 Palm of Hand
01-03-016 ............Index Middle Unit, Thumb Side..................................28
Top View
01-03-021 ............Index Middle Unit Hinge, Thumb Side........................29
01-03-022 ............Index Middle Cross, Thumb Side...............................30 Parallel Floor Plane
01-03-027.............Middle Thumb Circle, Index Up..................................31
01-03-034 ............Index Middle Thumb, Angle........................................32
01-03-035 ............Middle Thumb Angle Out, Index Up...........................33
Finger Direction Is Meaningful.................................................................34

Side of Hand
Chapter 4: Group 4: Four Fingers........................................................35
01-04-001 ............Four Fingers Spread..................................................36Top View
01-04-002 ............Four Fingers Spread Bent..........................................37
Parallel Floor Plane
01-04-004 ............Four Fingers Unit........................................................38
001-04-007 ..........Four Fingers Unit Bent...............................................39
Finger Direction Is Meaningful.................................................................40

Chapter 5: Group 5: Five Fingers.........................................................41

Back of Hand
01-05-001 ............Five Fingers Spread...................................................42
01-05-002 ............Five Fingers Spread Heel...........................................43
Top View
01-05-003 ............Five Fingers Spread, Four Bent.................................44
Parallel Floor Plane
01-05-004 ............Five Fingers Spread, Four Bent Heel.........................45
01-05-005 ............Five Fingers Spread Bent...........................................46
01-05-006 ............Five Fingers Spread Bent Heel..................................47
01-05-008 ............Five Fingers Spread Cup...........................................48
01-05-009 ............Five Fingers Spread Cup Open..................................49
01-05-012 ............Five Fingers Spread Hinge.........................................50
01-05-015 ............Flat Hand....................................................................51
01-05-017 ............Flat Heel.....................................................................52
01-05-018 ............Flat, Thumb Side........................................................53
01-05-019 ............Flat, Thumb Side Heel................................................54
01-05-034.............Cup.............................................................................55
01-05-036 ............Cup, Thumb Side.......................................................56
01-05-038 ............Cup, No Thumb..........................................................57
Palm of Hand
01-05-043 ............Circle..........................................................................58
Front View
01-05-050 ............Hinge..........................................................................59
01-05-053 ............Hinge, Thumb Side.....................................................60
Parallel Wall Plane
01-05-055 ............Hinge, No Thumb.......................................................61
01-05-058 ............Angle..........................................................................62

Chapter 6: Group 6: Baby Finger.........................................................63

01-06-001 ............Index Middle Ring.......................................................64
01-06-002 ............Index Middle Ring on Circle.......................................65 Side of Hand
01-06-006 ............Index Middle Ring, Bent.............................................66 Front View
01-06-007 ............Index Middle Ring, Unit..............................................67
Parallel Wall Plane
01-06-008 ............Index Middle Ring, Unit Hinge....................................68
01-06-013 ............Baby Up......................................................................69
01-06-021 ............Baby Thumb...............................................................70
01-06-022 ............Baby Thumb on Hinge................................................71
01-06-023 ............Baby Index Thumb.....................................................72
01-06-024 ............Baby Index Thumb on Hinge......................................73 Back of Hand
01-06-027 ............Baby Index.................................................................74
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane
Chapter 7: Group 7: Ring Finger..........................................................75
01-07-002.............Index Middle Baby on Circle.......................................76

Chapter 8: Group 8: Middle Finger......................................................77

01-08-002 ............Index Ring Baby on Circle..........................................78
01-08-010 ............Index Ring Baby on Angle..........................................79
01-08-012 ............Middle Hinge..............................................................80Palm of Hand
Top View
Chapter 9: Group 9: Index Thumb.......................................................81 Parallel Floor Plane
01-09-002.............Middle Ring Baby on Circle........................................82
01-09-008 ............Middle Ring Baby on Angle........................................83
01-09-016 ............Index Thumb Side......................................................84
01-09-020 ............Index Thumb Side, Thumb Bent.................................85
01-09-021 ............Index Thumb Side, Index Bent...................................86
01-09-026 ............Index Thumb Hook.....................................................87 Side of Hand
01-09-030 ............Index Thumb Curve, Thumb Under............................88 Top View
01-09-031 ............Index Thumb Circle....................................................89
Parallel Floor Plane
01-09-032 ............Index Thumb Cup.......................................................90
01-09-033 ............Index Thumb Cup Open.............................................91
01-09-036 ............Index Thumb Hinge Large..........................................92
01-09-037 ............Index Thumb Hinge....................................................93
01-09-040 ............Index Thumb Angle....................................................94
Back of Hand
Chapter 10: Group 10: Thumb..............................................................95 Top View
01-10-001 ............Thumb........................................................................96
Parallel Floor Plane
01-10-002 ............Thumb Heel................................................................97
01-10-003 ............Thumb Side Diagonal.................................................98
01-10-005 ............Thumb Side Bent........................................................99
01-10-007 ............Thumb Between Index Middle..................................100
01-10-015 ............Fist............................................................................101
01-10-016 ............Fist Heel...................................................................102
Chapter 11: Heel of Hand or Traditional Top View?.........................103
Flat Hand, Heel of Hand or Top View....................................................104
Five Hand Straight & Bent, Heel of Hand or Top View..........................105
Fist, Heel of Hand or Top View..............................................................106

Chapter 12: Instruction, Exceptions & Sign Examples ...................107

Two Ways to Write Thumb Towards Reader.........................................108
Rootshapes & Action Fingers................................................................109 Palm of Hand
Action Fingers Directed Toward The Face & Body................................ 110 View
Front
Sign Examples .....................................................................................
Parallel 111Wall Plane
Action Fingers Directed Up................................................................... 112
Sign Examples ..................................................................................... 113
Action Fingers Directed Out, Away From The Body.............................. 114

About The Authors.............................................................................. 115

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane
Visit
SignPuddle Online
signbank.org/signpuddle

Back of Hand
Front View
30 Symbol Groups Parallel Wall Plane
International SignWriting Alphabet 2010

1 Group
Dynamics
&Timing

Palm of Hand
Top View
5 Groups
Head Parallel Floor Plane
Movement &
Facial
Expressions

10 Side of Hand
Groups
Hands Top View
2 Groups Parallel Floor Plane
Body &
Limbs

1 Group
Detailed
Location
Symbols Back of Hand
For Sorting Top View
Large
Dictionaries Parallel Floor Plane

1 Group
Punctuation

10 Groups Movement Symbols

 10 Hand Symbol Groups
in the International SignWriting Alphabet 2010

Group 1: Palm of Hand

Index Finger Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Group 2:
Index & Middle Fingers
Side of Hand
Front View
Group 3: Parallel Wall Plane
Index, Middle & Thumb

Group 4:
Four Fingers Back of Hand
10 Front View
Groups Parallel Wall Plane
Hands
Group 5:
Five Fingers

Palm of Hand
Group 6:
Top View
Baby Finger
Parallel Floor Plane

Group 7:
Ring Finger

Side of Hand
Top View
Group 8: Parallel Floor Plane
Middle Finger

Group 9:
Index & Thumb Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Group 10:
Thumb

1
 Expressive Front View
Signs are written from the signers expressive viewpoint. Imagine
standing BEHIND the signer, copying what the signer does and feels.

Palm of Hand Palm of Hand

Front View
The palm of the hand is written
with a white or hollow symbol. Wall Plane
Parallel

Front View
Parallel with Wall Plane
The hand is parallel to the Front
Side of Hand
Wall. The white symbol shows
Front View
that the palm faces towards
Parallel Wall Plane
your body, towards the reader.

Back of Hand
Side of Hand Front View
The side of the hand is written
Parallel Wall Plane
with a symbol that is half-white
and half-dark. The half-white
section shows the direction of
the palm. The half-dark section
represents the back of the hand.
Palm of Hand
Front View Top View
Parallel with Wall Plane
Parallel Floor Plane
The hand is parallel to the
Front Wall. The thumb of the
hand faces towards your body.

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane
Back of Hand
The back of the hand is written
with a black or filled-in symbol.

Front View Back of Hand

Parallel with Wall PlaneTop View
The hand is parallel Parallel
to the Floor Plane
Front Wall. The black symbol
shows that the back of the
hand faces towards your body.

2
 Expressive Top View
Signs are written from the signers expressive viewpoint. Imagine
looking down on the position of the signer, from a birds eye view.

Palm of Hand Palm of Hand

Top View Front View
Parallel
Parallel with Floor Plane Wall Plane
The hand is parallel to the floor.
You are looking down at your palm
from overhead. The white symbol
has a space at the knuckle joint
representing the Horizon Line.
A hand symbol with the Horizon
Side of Hand
Line crossing over the knucklesFront View
means the hand is parallel with Wall Plane
Parallel
the floor read from the Top View.

Back of Hand
Side of Hand Front View
Parallel Wall Plane
Top View
Parallel with Floor Plane
The hand is parallel to the floor.
You are looking down at the side
of your hand (your thumb) from
overhead. The hand symbol
Palm of Hand
has a space at the knuckle joint
representing the Horizon Line.Top View
A hand symbol with the Horizon
Parallel Floor Plane
Line crossing over the knuckles
means the hand is parallel with
the floor read from the Top View.

Side of Hand
Top View
Back of HandParallel Floor Plane
Top View
Parallel with Floor Plane
The hand is parallel to the floor.
You are looking down at the back
of your hand from overhead. The
Back of Hand
hand symbol has a space at the
Top View
knuckle joint, representing the
Parallel Floor Plane
Horizon Line. A hand symbol
with the Horizon Line cross-
ing over the knuckles means
the hand is parallel with the
floor read from the Top View.
3
 Hands Relate to Center
In the International SignWriting Alphabet, all hand symbols are designed to relate to
the Center of the Body. Imagine a Center Line going down the center of your body.
The Majority of Action Fingers are directed towards the center. Left hands are writ-
ten to the left of the Center Line. Right hands are written to the right of the Center Line.

Left Hand Right Hand

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

4
 The Wall Plane
Hand symbols parallel to the Front Wall look the same whether they are far from the
chest, close to or touching the chest, or behind the body. You can FEEL the posi-
tion of the palm facing. It remains the same symbol no matter how close or far it is.

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

The Floor Plane

Hand symbols parallel to the Floor look the same whether they are high above the
Palm
head, in the middle in front of your chest, or low at hip level. You can FEEL the posi-of Hand
tion of the palm facing. It remains the same symbol no matter how high or lowTop it is.View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

5
 Hands Pointing to the Side
Hand symbols with the fingers pointing to the side can be writ-
ten from the Front View, parallel to the Front Wall Plane, or from
the Top View, parallel to the Floor Plane. Both symbols are correct,
since side-to-side can be seen from the Front View or the Top View.
Choose to write the simpler symbols seen from the Front View, paral-
Palm of Hand
lel to the Front Wall, since they are less complicated for quick reading:
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Choose the
Front View
Side of Hand
The Front View writes the
Front View
palm of the hand with a
Parallel Wall Plane
white or hollow symbol.

Front View
Is Easer to Read
When the fingers point to
Back of Hand
the side wall, it is best to
Front View
write the symbol parallel to
Parallel Wall Plane
the Front Wall because the
symbol is easier to read.

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Top View Is
Correct but...
The Top View of the hand is
Side ofhalf-
written with a half-white Hand
dark symbol with the Top View
Horizon
Line across the knuckles. Plane
Parallel Floor

Top View
Is Harder to Read
When the fingers point to the
Back
side wall, it is correct to of Hand
write
Top View
the symbol parallel to the Floor,
but it is harderParallel
to readFloor
and Plane
therefore not recommended.

6
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 1 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 1: Index Parallel Floor Plane
All Hands With One Action Finger:
The Index Finger

7
Index
01-01-001

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

8
 Index on Circle
01-01-002

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

9
Index on Angle
01-01-006

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

10
 Index Bent
01-01-007

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

11
Index Cup
01-01-011

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

12
 Index Hinge on Fist
01-01-012

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 2 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 2: Index Middle Parallel Floor Plane
All Hands With Two Action Fingers:
Index Finger & Middle Finger

13
Index Middle
01-02-001

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

14
 Index Middle Bent
01-02-003

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

15
Index Middle Unit
01-02-008

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

16
 Index Middle Unit, Cup
01-02-011

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

17
Index Middle Unit, Hinge
01-02-012

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

18
 Index Middle Cross
01-02-013

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

19
 Finger Direction Is Meaningful
Two ways to write the same position: The Top View of the Back of the Hand can be written at
a slant. Some writers feel this looks more like real life, because the fingers are directed down.

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

both angles
OR are correct
Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

20
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 3 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 3: Index Middle Thumb Parallel Floor Plane
All Hands With Three Action Fingers:
Index Finger, Middle Finger & Thumb

21
Index Middle Thumb
01-03-001

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

22
 Index Middle Bent, Thumb Straight
01-03-004

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

23 Note: See page 82 & 293 for more information and instruction.
Index Middle Thumb Bent
01-03-005

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

24
 Index Up, Middle Hinge, Thumb Side
01-03-007

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

25
Index Middle Thumb Cup
01-03-011

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

26
 Index Middle Thumb Circle
01-03-012

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

27
Index Middle Unit, Thumb Side
01-03-016

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

28
 Index Middle Unit Hinge, Thumb Side
01-03-021

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

29
Index Middle Cross, Thumb Side
01-03-022

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

30
 Middle Thumb Circle, Index Up
01-03-027

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

31
Index Middle Thumb, Angle
01-03-034

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

32
 Middle Thumb Angle Out, Index Up
01-03-035

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

33
 Finger Direction Is Meaningful
Different ways to write the same position: The Top View of the Back of the Hand can be written
at a slant. Some writers feel this looks more like real life because the fingers are directed down.

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

34
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 4 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 4: Four Fingers Parallel Floor Plane
All Hands With Four Action Fingers:
Thumb Must Be Across Palm

35
Four Fingers Spread
01-04-001

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

36
 Four Fingers Spread Bent
01-04-002

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

37
Four Fingers Unit
01-04-004

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

38
 Four Fingers Unit Bent
01-04-007

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

39
Some Signs Using Group 4

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

40
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 5 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 5: Five Fingers Parallel Floor Plane
All Hands With Five Action Fingers:
5 Fingers Spread or Together

41
Five Fingers Spread
01-05-001

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

42
 Five Fingers Spread Heel
01-05-002

Palm Up
Front View of
Palm Hand
Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel
Parallel toWall
FloorPlane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Up
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Thumb
Back Up
of Hand
Front View
FrontHeel
Viewof Hand
Hand
Parallel Wall Forward
Projects Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Palm of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Palm Down
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

43
Five Fingers Spread, Four Bent
01-05-003

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

44
 Five Fingers Spread, Four Bent Heel
01-05-004

Palm Up
Front Palm
View of Hand
Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
ParalleltoWall
Parallel FloorPlane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Up
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Thumb
Back Up
of Hand
Front View
Front Viewof Hand
Heel
Hand Projects
Parallel Wall Forward
Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Palm of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Palm Down
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

45
Five Fingers Spread Bent
01-05-005

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

46
 Five Fingers Spread, Bent Heel
01-05-006

Palm Up
Front Palm
View of Hand
Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
ParalleltoWall
Parallel FloorPlane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Up
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Thumb
Back Up
of Hand
Front View
Front Viewof Hand
Heel
Hand Projects
Parallel Wall Forward
Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Palm of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Palm Down
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

47
Five Fingers Spread Cup
01-05-008

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

48
 Five Fingers Spread Cup Open
01-05-009

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

49
Five Fingers Spread, Hinge
01-05-012

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

50
 Flat Hand
01-05-015

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

51
Flat Heel
01-05-017

Palm Up
FrontPalm
View ofHeel of Hand
Hand
Hand Front
Projects Forward
View
Parallel
ParalleltoWall
Floor Plane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Up
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Thumb Up
Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

FrontPalm
View of Hand
Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallelto
Relating Floor Plane
Floor Plane

Palm Down
Front Side
Viewof Hand
Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
ParalleltoFloor
Parallel FloorPlane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

52
 Flat, Thumb Side
01-05-018

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

53
Flat, Thumb Side Heel
01-05-019

Palm Up
FrontPalm
View ofHeel of Hand
Hand
Hand Front
Projects Forward
View
Parallel
ParalleltoWall
Floor Plane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Up
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Thumb Up
Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Palm of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Palm Down
Front Viewof
Side Hand
Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
ParalleltoFloor
Parallel FloorPlane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

54
 Cup
01-05-034

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

55
Cup Thumb Side
01-05-036

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

56
 Cup No Thumb
01-05-038

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

57
Circle
01-05-043

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

58
 Hinge
01-05-050

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

59
Hinge, Thumb Side
01-05-053

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

60
 Hinge, No Thumb
01-05-055

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

61
Angle
01-05-058

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

62
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 6 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 6: Baby Finger Parallel Floor Plane
Hands That Focus on the Little Finger
Little Finger Down or Up

63
Index Middle Ring
01-06-001

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

64
 Index Middle Ring on Circle
01-06-002

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

65
Index Middle Ring, Bent
01-06-006

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

66
 Index Middle Ring, Unit
01-06-007

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

67
Index Middle Ring, Unit Hinge
01-06-008

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

68
 Baby Up
01-06-013

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

69
Baby Thumb
01-06-021

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

70
 Baby Thumb on Hinge
01-06-022

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

71
Baby Index Thumb
01-06-023

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

72
 Baby Index Thumb on Hinge
01-06-024

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

73
Baby Index
01-06-027

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

74
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 7 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 7: Ring Finger Parallel Floor Plane
Hands That Focus on the Ring Finger
Ring Finger Down or Up

75
Index Middle Baby on Circle
01-07-002

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

76
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 8 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 8: Middle Finger Parallel Floor Plane
Hands That Focus on the Middle Finger
Middle Finger Down or Up

77
Index Ring Baby on Circle
01-08-002

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

78
 Index Ring Baby on Angle
01-08-010

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

79
Middle Hinge
01-08-012

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

80
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 9 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 9: Index Thumb Parallel Floor Plane
All Hands With Two Action Fingers:
Index Finger & Thumb

81
Middle Ring Baby on Circle
01-09-002

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

82
 Middle Ring Baby on Angle
01-09-008

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

83
Index Thumb Side
01-09-016

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

84
 Index Thumb Side, Thumb Bent
01-09-020

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

85
Index Thumb Side, Index Bent
01-09-021

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

86
 Index Thumb Hook
01-09-026

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

87
Index Thumb Curve, Thumb Under
01-09-030

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

88
 Index Thumb Circle
01-09-031

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

89
Index Thumb Cup
01-09-032

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

90
 Index Thumb Cup Open
01-09-033

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

91
Index Thumb Hinge Large
01-09-035

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

92
 Index Thumb Hinge
01-09-036

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

93
Index Thumb Angle
01-09-040

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

94
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Chapter 10 Side of Hand

Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Group 10: Thumb Parallel Floor Plane
Tight Fists With One Action Finger:
The Thumb

95
Thumb
01-10-001

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

96
 Thumb Heel
01-10-002

Palm Up
Front Palm
View of Hand
Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
ParalleltoWall
Parallel FloorPlane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Up
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Thumb
Back Up
of Hand
Front View
Front Viewof Hand
Heel
Hand Projects
Parallel Wall Forward
Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Palm of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Palm Down
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

97
Thumb Side Diagonal
01-10-003

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

98
 Thumb Side Bent
01-10-005

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

99
Thumb Between Index Middle
01-10-007

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

100
 Fist
01-10-015

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

101
Fist Heel
01-10-016

Palm Up
FrontPalm
View ofHeel
Handof Hand
Hand Front
Projects
ViewForward
Parallel
ParalleltoWall
Floor Plane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Up
Side of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Thumb Up
Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Front View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Wall Plane
Parallel to Floor Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Palm of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

Palm Down
Front View of
Side Hand
Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
ParalleltoFloor
Parallel FloorPlane
Plane

Palm Diagonal Down

Back of Hand
Front View Heel of Hand
Top View
Hand Projects Forward
Parallel Floor Plane
Relating to Floor Plane

102
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Group 7: Ring Finger

All Hands With One Action Finger:
The Index Finger
Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane
Chapter 11

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Heel of Hand or Top View?

Fists and Flat Hands from Two Perspectives Back of Hand
2 Ways to Write Some Positions Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

103
 Heel of Hand or Top View?
Flat hands with the fingers pointing straight forward, with the
arm parallel to the Floor Plane, can be written from the Front
View with the Heel of Hand, or from the traditional Top View:

Palm of Hand
Two Ways to Write The Same Handshape Front View
...use either symbol... Parallel Wall Plane

Front View ...OR... Top View

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane
Two Ways to Write The Same Handshape
...use either symbol...

Side of Hand
Top View
Front View ...OR... Top ViewFloor Plane
Parallel

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

104
 Heel of Hand or Top View?
Use Either Symbol

Front View ...OR... Top View

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View ...OR... Front View
Top View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Front View ...OR... Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

105
 Heel of Hand or Top View?
Fists with the knuckles directed straight forward, with the
arm parallel to the Floor Plane, can be written from the Front
View with the Heel of Hand, or from the traditional Top View:

Palm of Hand
Two Ways to Write The Same Handshape Front View
...use either symbol... Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View ...OR... Top View
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane
Two Ways to Write The Same Handshape
...use either symbol...

Side of Hand
Top View
Front View ...OR... Top ViewFloor Plane
Parallel

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

106
 Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane
Chapter 12

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Instruction & Exceptions

More Information About Hand Symbols Back of Hand
Examples of Written Signs Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

107
 Two Ways to Write Thumb Towards Reader
The side view of the Thumb Hand (see page 272) can be written in two ways. The dot for the thumb projecting directly toward the

reader is the official symbol of the ISWA 2010. But some writers choose to write a line for the thumb to the side, rather than the

dot. The line for the thumb is always placed on the dark side of the symbol. Both methods mean the same thing and are correct:

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
both mean
Front View
thumb
Parallel Wall Plane
projects
OR towards the
reader and
both
Palm of Hand
are correct
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

108
 Rootshapes
Like roots to a tree, Rootshapes provide the foundation for all hand symbols.
Rootshapes are determined by the shape of the LOWEST finger in the hand-
shape. For example, a square for a TIGHT Fist must have at least one fin-
ger touching the palm of the hand. A circle for an OPEN fist, has at least one
finger close to the palm of the hand, but not touching the palm of the hand.
Palm of Hand
Front View
Rootshape 01: Tight Fist
Tight Fist: At least 1 finger touches palm Parallel Wall Plane

Rootshape 02: Fist Thumb Across

Tight Fist: At least 1 finger rests on top of thumb across palm

Rootshape 03: Circle Side of Hand

At least 1 fingertip touches thumbtip in a curve or... Front View
At least 1 curved finger is close to palm of hand
Parallel Wall Plane
Rootshape 04: Cup
At least 1 finger is curved at the Middle Joint & Tip Joint.
There is NO bend or curve at the Knuckle Joint.

Rootshape 05: Hinge

At least 1 finger bends at the Knuckle Joint, while
the Middle Joint and Tip Joint lock completely straight.Back of Hand
Front View
Rootshape 06: Angle Parallel Wall Plane
The Hinge, with fingertips and thumb tip touching

Rootshape 07: Flat Thumb Across

Thumb across palm, four fingers straight up with no bends

Rootshape 08: Flat Palm of Hand

Five fingers straight up with no bends
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Action Fingers
Once the Rootshape is established, the lines for the fingers are attached. The
finger lines are called Action Fingers. They extend from the root of the hand like
Side of Hand
branches on a tree. Action Fingers are more important than the Rootshape, be-
cause they are looked at first, just as observers look at the branches of a tree Top
first. View
Parallel
Readers focus on Action Fingers first, since they give meaning to the handshape. Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Action Fingers areTop View
like branchesParallel
on a tree
Floor Plane

Rootshape provides the

foundation to the symbol

109
 Action Fingers Directed
Towards The Face & Body

Finger direction relates to the Center of the Body. Action Fin-

gers that bend at the knuckle joint in Angle, Hinge, Cup or
Curve hand positions direct the fingers into the Center Palmof theof Hand
Body. The white palm shows the palm is facing the body, with Fronta View
Parallel
slight hint that the palm is slightly turned toward the Center too.Wall Plane

Fingers Are Directed Toward the Center

...when the palm is facing the body...
Side of Hand
Action Action
Front View
Fingers FingersWall Plane
Parallel

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Left Hand Right Hand

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

110
 Some
ASL
signs
as
examples:
Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

glass
oral
no-to-me Side of Hand
Front View
wolf
Parallel Wall Plane
information
Jew
clown
going out Back of Hand
illness Front View
lucky Parallel Wall Plane

prefer
birthday
eat
blow a kiss Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

111
 Action Fingers Directed Up

Angle Hand Symbols

Point the tip of the angled fingers in meaningful directions.

When writing Angle Hands, write the direction of the fingers based on what feels Palm correctof Hand
for the meaning of the sign. Then look at your palm. Where is the palm facing? If the palm Front is View
facing the ceiling, then it is parallel to the floor. It will be white with a space at the knuckle joint.
Parallel Wall Plane

ASL
Side of Hand
sign for
Front View
WET,
Parallel Wall Plane
or SOFT

See
Back of Hand
page 100
Front View
for
Parallel Wall Plane
Five Fingers
Spread
with
Thumb
Forward
Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Finger
Direction
Is Up

Side of Hand
Top View
See
Parallel Floor Plane
page 151
for
Angle
Handshape
Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

This sign can be found in: Cat in the Hat in ASL, page 1
http://www.signbank.org/SignPuddle1.6/canvas.php?ui=1&sgn=5&sid=144 112
 Some
ASL
signs
as
examples:
Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Jewish
grow
soft Side of Hand
Front View
soft Parallel Wall Plane
soft
give to you
lose
money Back of Hand
poor Front View
waste Parallel Wall Plane

gay
dissolve
twelve
Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

113
 Action Fingers Directed Out
Away From The Body
This is very rare. If the majority of Action Fingers are directed
to the outside, away from the Center of the Body, as in the sign
for FAIRY GODMOTHER in ASL, then it is written pointing Palm
out.of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Action Fingers
Directed
Side of Hand
To The Outside
Front View
in theParallel
Sign Wall
for Plane
Fairy Godmother

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

114
 About The Authors

Palm of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Side of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Back of Hand
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

Palm of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Side of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
Top View
Parallel Floor Plane

115
 SignWriting Instruction
SignWriting.org/lessons SignWriting.org/shop

Palm of Hand
1 SignWriting Reference Manual
Manual 1: SignWriting Basics
Front View
Parallel Wall Plane
Learn the basics of SignWriting with this slender, 42 page,
spiral-bound manual. An introduction to reading and writing
any sign language, it gives a summary of hand symbols, con-
tact symbols, finger movements, arm movements, facial ex-
pressions, and reading of sign language literature. All exam-
ples are in American Sign Language (ASL). Free for down-
Side of Hand
load on the web, and only $10.00 in the SignWriting Shop.
ISBN: 978-0-914336-49-5 Front View
Parallel Wall Plane

2 SignWriting Reference Manual

Manual 2: SignWriting Hand Symbols
This 300-page sprial-bound reference manual devotes a
full page to each of the 261 hand symbols of theBack of Hand
Interna-
tional SignWriting Alphabet (ISWA 2010), used toFront write View
over 40 sign languages on the web in SignPuddle Online.
Parallel Wall Plane
Each page shows one handshape with 6 photos showing
6 different palm facings. The corresponding SignWriting
symbol is placed next to each photo. Additional SignWriting
instruction is included in the front and the back of the book.
ISBN: 978-0-914336-86-0

Palm of Hand

3 SignWriting Lessons on the Web Top View

Parallel
Web lessons show moving handshapes with Floor Plane
symbols
Adam Frosts photos of his own hands move from one palm
facing to another, on 261 web pages, each devoted to one
of the 261 hand symbols of the ISWA 2010. This popular
site is located in SignWriting Lessons Online. Take a visit:

ISWA 2010 Symbol Lessons Online Side of Hand

Animated GIFs by Adam Frost
Top View
http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/iswa/
Parallel Floor Plane

Back of Hand
The SignWriting Press Top View
Deaf Action Committee For SignWriting (the DAC) ISBN 978-0-914336-82-2
Parallel Floor Plane
Center for Sutton Movement Writing, Inc. (CSMW), a 501c3 90000
non-profit educational organization dac@signwriting.org
Box 517 La Jolla CA 92038-0517 USA tel 858-456-0098
Si g n Wr i t i n g Sh o p O n l i n e : w w w. s i g n w r i t i n g . o r g / s h o p
SignWriting on CafePress: www.cafepress.com/signwriting 9 780914 336822
S i g n P u d d l e O n l i n e : w w w. s i g n b a n k . o r g / s i g n p u d d l e SIGNWRITING ASL HAND SYMBOLS