FIRST LESSON 

  The study of sign language writing through this Basic system: ZulWsigns,  is made so simple and easy, that with a few weeks of study you will learn in this book the basic structure to describe any sign of any language. 

    In this lesson, we will start with the Handshape which includes the manual alphabet, but does not correspond to the letters of the traditional alphabet used for spelling. In Writing Signed Languages (W S L) other additional configurations are included or excluded; this will help us to write in sign language.

HANDSHAPE

   The well-known manual alphabet is essential to communicate  in sign language; and it is an essential element if you are looking for the written expression of this language. 

It is important to understand that the manual alphabet is used in “Fingerspelling”, which is part of Sign Language. It is used to spell words that are actually from another language such as English. “Fingerspelling” is often used for proper nouns or to indicate a particular spoken word.

  Fingerspelling is often used for proper names or to indicate a particular word in the oral language. In the fingerspelling alphabet, each letter corresponds to a different shape of the hand.

In reality, the manual alphabet for the Deaf is nothing more than the shape  of  the  hand  corresponding  to  a  letter  of  the  oral  language whose auditory discrimination is unknown, but which communicates to the listener the word and the sound provided by the alphabetic characters shown. 

   In Writing Signed Languages (W S L) the handshape (shape of the hand) is used, which includes the manual alphabet, and which does not correspond to the letters of the traditional alphabet used to spell. Rather it includes or excludes other additional handshape. 

   This is so with the purpose of facilitating the written comprehension of sign language, and it is not intended to  change  or  modify  the phonological  dactylology auxiliary  system  of  already  existing  sign languages,  such  as  Fingerspelling,  which  will  continue  to  be  used to spell names and some words. 

   The handshape is indispensable for Writing Signed Languages. It is especially important that you pay considerable attention  to  form  and usage in this part of your study.  

Observe and learn the differences between the manual alphabet and the handshape for the Signs Language Writing (W S L).  

Note  that  the  manual  settings  described  to  facilitate  the written description of S.L.W, are mostly the same as in the manual  alphabet, with only these differences: 

1-   Note  that  the  H.K.Q.  are  the  same  as  U.P.G.  it  only  changes the orientation; This means that, in terms of sign language writing, the letters H.K.Q. They do not exist.

2-   there are 8 new alphabetic characters. Note  that  when  it  comes  to  Sign  Language  Writing,  the "Z" takes on a definite shape.

   Please  note  that  these  settings  do  not  represent  or  replace the known manual alphabet, but are for the written  description of sign language only. 

HANDSHAPE FOR S.L.W.

Are the handshapes in this book the same and have the same purpose  as  the  phonological  sign  language  manual  alphabet  of existing sign languages? 

     Answer: No. 

  This “manual alphabet” only shows the handshape of the hand for the purpose of facilitating written describing (recommended: perception) of sign language, and is not intended to change or modify the phonological dactylology auxiliary system of existing sign languages.