Major Components of Signs

Guidelines:

* General area for Signing Space is between the top of the head until just above the waist.

* The visual center of the signing space is the nose-mouth area.

* Size of hand movements differ depending on the position in the Signing Space and the number of people        being signed to.

* For symmetry, signs made near the center of the Signing Space often use a single hand, while signs made
   further away tend to use both hands.

* Have a dominant signing hand.

* Signs related in meaning are usually related in information.

* Always speak when signing, also use facial expressions and body movements, sometimes even
   exaggerating them to get your message across.

* Have a smooth flow of hand movements when signing affixes and word endings for tense, person, etc...

* The past tense sign is not strictly done over the shoulder.

* Raising the eyebrows and freezing the hands in the air, or holding the last position of a sign are techniques
   used to ask questions in sign.

* Shaking the head from side to side while signing a negative statement aids in clarifying the tone of the
   message.

* Signed word should be in reference to its location/direction.

* Refer to the person by pointing in his/her direction or sign and point.

* Orient the directionof the sign by motioning with your body, eye and hand. Show the direction of the
   action. When you are the receiver, begin the sign in front of you and move towards yourself.

* Move your hands to show the size of an object accordingly.

* Signs can also vary in intensity, or be modified in their execution.


Sources:
Signing Exact English, by G.Gustason and E. Zawolkow and
The Joy of Signing, by L.L.Riekelhof