Table 3. Movement (Sig) symbols

SymbolsDescriptionsExamples from Hong Kong Sign LanguageExamples from American Sign Language
(listed in Stokoe et al. 1965)
Upward movementHAPPYHELP
Downward movementUNHAPPYFOOL
Up-and-down movementTEMPERATUREELEVATOR
Rightward movementIMPOLITEPLAN
Leftward movementPREJUDICEWEST
Side to side movementSTRUGGLEWAR
Movement toward signerPERSONALITYREQUEST
Movement away from signerLOOK-ATHALL
To-and-fro movementCOMMUNICATE-BY-WRITINGEXPLAIN
Supinating rotation (palm up)OPENBOOK
Pronating rotation (palm down)CLOSEBET
Twisting movementBARBECUEBLUE
Nodding or bending actionAGREEYES
Opening actionSUNTHROW-AWAY
Closing actionIN-POWERFIND
Wiggling action of fingersGREENFINGERSPELL
Circular actionAMERICAFRIDAY
Convergent action, approachWARPAIN
Contactual action, touchSTOPMYSELF
Linking action, graspRELATED-TOMARRY
Crossing actionLATEFIGHT
Entering actionSEE-SOMEONE-THROUGHSANDWICH
Divergent action, separateDIVORCEDIPLOMA
Interchanging actionEXCHANGEINSTEAD

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