| SignWriting List Archive 1 October 1997 - May 1998 |
April 23, 1998
MESSAGE TO THE SIGNWRITING EMAIL LIST
SUBJECT: Perspectives on SignWriting
From: Charles Butler <chazzer3@erols.com>
Reply-To: chazzer3@erols.com
Organization: Ecumenicon
To: SignWriting <DAC@SignWriting.org>
Subject: Re: Perspectives on SignWriting
Reply to mailing list.
I agree wholeheartedly that SignWriting is an asset to presenting
ASL and other languages as "whole languages" not "partial
languages". In terms of "ease of writing" I would
strongly suggest we may want to go back and revisit "SignWriting
Shorthand" as I have used this extensively when taking notes.
As an "at speed" system it is ideal to catch the "train
of thought" before it disappears and is amazing in how much
nuance it still picks up.
I am reminded in comparison to Hebrew Printed characters (vowel
points and all) and Hebrew script, which is written much faster
and without vowel points. Perhaps we can find a happy medium.
When I was learning Hebrew we learned Printed Capitals but never
got on to written script. That I had to pick up on my own.
I remember going to one conference and being able to Sign-Write an entire choreographed signed piece in shorthand that I could later write out in full-body sign writing to give to the signer. I found it useful as in interpreter to be able to write something quickly, sort of like "key words" for a speech and later write out the full rhythmic musical interpretation later.
Hope my rambling makes sense to people. Love the feedback.
Charles Butler
chazzer3@erols.com