Level 3 - Formats

SignWriting

Page Contents

1. What is SignWriting?
2. Is there Software to Produce SignWriting?
3. Examples
4. When to use SignWriting
5. Linked References and Resources

1. What is SignWriting?

First invented in Denmark in 1974, SignWriting is a writing system using visual symbols to represent the handshapes, movements and facial expressions of American Sign Language, Langue des Signes Québecoise and other signed languages. It facilitates the reading, writing and typing of sign languages and is still relatively new in its usage.

Many people who use Sign Language in person are able to read and write standard text. It is therefore rare that you would receive a request for a publication in SignWriting although this may change in the future if SignWriting replaces standard text as the preferred format among deaf users that communicate mainly by Sign Language.

SignWriting is currently used mainly to teach signs and signed language grammar to beginning signers. It is also increasingly used as an alternative to standard text in teaching grade school students whose command of sign language is greater than that of printed English or French.

2. Is there Software to Produce SignWriting?

Until 1984, SignWriting had to be done by hand and required experts to produce. Now, it can be produced through special SignWriting shareware, a free MS-DOS program available on the Internet. However, the software is designed to be used by people who are familiar with sign language.

To download the software and learn more about it, you can go to the Web page of the U.S. based Deaf Action Committee for SignWriting.

3. Examples

Here are examples of SignWriting. Each symbol represents a movement used in unwritten sign language.

4. When to use SignWriting

SignWriting is most likely to be requested by people who are deaf and who use SignWriting as an alternative to conventional English and French text.

5. Linked References and Resources

• Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada
  
• Canadian Association of the Deaf
  
• Deaf Action Committee for SignWriting (U.S.)
  
• Carleton University, Sign Language Fonts
  

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