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Insign languages,handshape, ordez, refers to the distinctive configurations that the hands take as they are used to form words.[1] InStokoe terminology it is known as theDEZ, an abbreviation ofdesignator. Handshape is one of five components of a sign, along withlocation (TAB),orientation (ORI),movement (SIG), andnonmanual features. Different sign languages make use of different handshapes.
Possible handshapes are constrained by a variety of mechanic and neural factors.Evolutionary forces have led to some handshapes being easier or more natural for humans to produce than others. These tendencies can be summarized as follows:[2]
A 2022 study of handshapes found that 85.6% of handshapes in 33 sign languages conform to these biological tendencies. Additionally, 35 handshapes were found to be represented in 89.2% of the 33 languages examined. Handshapes that did not conform to these tendencies were common infingerspelling. This may be due to fingerspelling being a result of culture and explicit learning rather than arising naturally.[2]
American Sign Language uses 18 handshapes for ordinary signs, plus a few marginal handshapes taken from theAmerican Manual Alphabet for fingerspelling.[3][better source needed]
Not all handshapes occur with every orientation, movement, or location: there are restrictions. For example, the 5 and F handshapes (the approximate shapes of the hand in fingerspelling 5 and F) only make contact with another part of the body through the tip of the thumb, whereas the K and 8 (a.k.a. Y) handshapes only make contact through the tip of the middle finger, and the X handshape only with the flexed joint of the index finger.[citation needed]
Handshape.
