"Hand position for fingerspelling"
(A brief excerpt from On the Other Hand
by Dr. Elaine Costello. South Carolina Department of Education,
1992)
Mastering the art and skill
of fingerspelling is a task requiring time and practice. Some basic hints
for clearer fingerspelling, include the following:
1) Keep your hand stable; try to NOT bounce your hand or to allow it
to "slip away" from its initial position (other than for double
letters).
2) Keep your hand in the position demonstrated: palm out, near the shoulder,
in the appropriate signing space.
3) Avoid extraneous movements; they are distracting and cause confusion
in the intended message.
4) Try to maintain a smooth and steady rhythm in your fingerspelling.
Avoid choppy or irregular speed or flow.
5) Give adequate breaks between words.
Source: "Hand position for fingerspelling" from On the Other Hand
by Dr. Elaine Costello
More Book Spotlights...