Handshape


In sign languages, handshape, or dez, refers to the distinctive configurations that the hands take as they are used to form words.[1] In Stokoe terminology it is known as the DEZ, an abbreviation of designator. Handshape is one of five components of a sign, along with location (TAB), orientation (ORI), movement (SIG), and nonmanual features. Different sign languages make use of different handshapes.

  1. ^ Tennant RA, Gluszak M, Brown MG (1998). The American sign language handshape dictionary. Gallaudet University Press. pp. 407. ISBN 1-56368-043-2. Handshape.