SCA-SL-art - 9/8/94
An article on SCA specific sign language by Cedar.
NOTE: See also the files: disabilities-msg, sign-lang-msg, eyeglasses-msg, cryptography-msg, 15C-Eyeglsses-art.
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NOTICE -
This article was submitted to me by the author for inclusion in this set of files, called Stefan's Florilegium.
These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
Copyright to the contents of this file remains with the author.
While the author will likely give permission for this work to be reprinted in SCA type publications, please check with the author first or check for any permissions granted at the end of this file.
Thank you,
Mark S. Harris...AKA:..Stefan li Rous
stefan at florilegium.org
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From: Heather L. Garvey (9/8/94)
To: Mark Harris
RE>Some Random Pennsic Thoughts
* Would you please email me a copy of the handout when you get it typed in?
* There was someone in our group who was asking about sign language within
* the SCA and I'd like to make it available in the group of files I have
* collected from the computer networks.
Ok, but realize that I had to leave out bits, 'cause of typing
and time constraints. If you send Cedar a SASE, she'd probably send back
the handout. This is not my work whatsoever, except helping type it in...
-----
SCA-SPECIFIC SIGN LANGUAGE
REVISED FOR PENNSIC XXIII, A.S. XXIX
This handout is a meager attempt to explain sign language in words.
While someone who knows sign language will probably understand some of
the handout, it is *unbelievably difficult* to explain sign language
in words. Therefore this handout is meant as a reminder for those who
have taken the class *and is not intended to stand as a teaching
document on its own*.
The basic philosophy behind the invention of SCA-specific signs to date
is this: if it exists in the language, _don't mess with it_!!!! [1] If
it does not exist in the language, the first place to look for an idea
to invent a sign is the heraldry. If it does not immediately lend itself
to either of these techniques, try to brainstorm what the term means and
work from there. [2]
I will NEVER be able to cover every possible sign invention -- I'll never
be in that many places at once!! But if my students have the techniques
to cope with new and unusual sign situations on their own, that's all
I can ask for.
This handout compiled by Lady Ariane Desiree des Cedres, called Cedar
mka Michelle R. Owings-Christian
21 Englishtown Road
Parsippany, NJ 07054
(201) 887-1779 (home)
(201) 660-6828 (office)
If you have any questions, thoughts, ideas, concerns about sign language
use in the SCA, please feel free to contact me at the address/phone
above or drop by the MAGICANDLE merchant booth wherever you may find it.
(Most East Kingdom events and, always, PENNSIC.)
[1] For example, the heraldry of the Middle Kingdom is wonderfully
iconic and would make a great heraldry-based sign. But there is already a
sign for the word 'middle' and when someone says "middle", as an interpreter
I automatically do the sign that exists.
[2] There is an ASL sign for 'court' but it means a court of
law in the modern sense. When I tried to decide on a sign for Court
in the SCA sense, I finally created a "portmanteau sign": a combination
of the signs for 'meeting' and 'celebration', which is how I see SCA Courts.
---------------
NOTE : All ASL signs are preceded by an asterisk (*)
[Ed. note: The phrase "Manual Alphabet Letter" is shortened "MAL"]
[ to preserve my wrists and space. I have also removed the ]
[ sections on Kingdom Awards, as my wrists are griping. :) ]
[ If you really want them, you can contact Cedar ]
WORD DESCRIPTION
---- -----------
*king MAL "K" from non-dominant shoulder to dominant hip.
(Be sure that the palm orientation is correct -- if not,
this can easily be confused with the sign for "*PRINCE")
*queen MAL "Q" moving from non-dominant shoulder to dominant hip.
*prince MAL "P" moving from non-dominant shoulder to dominant hip.
(Be sure that the palm orientation is correct -- if not,
this can easily be confused with the sign for "*KING")
*princess MAL "P" moving from non-dominant shoulder to dominant
shoulder to dominant hip.
NOTE : I have also seen the signs for "*PRINCE" and "*PRINCESS" reversed.
I believe it is a regional difference.
duke MAL "W" at dominant temple (The closest we could come to
the STRAWBERRY LEAVES of a ducal coronet of rank)
duchess MAL "W" at dominant temple + "*GIRL" + "*FORMAL,POLITE,FANCY"
count MAL "C" moving from center of forehead to dominant temple.
countess MAL "C" moving from center of forehead to dominant temple
+ "*GIRL" + "*FORMAL,POLITE,FANCY"
viscount MAL "V" at center of forehead moving to dominant temple
and changing to MAL "C" (Be VERY CAREFUL with the palm
orientation on the "V" so as not to sign "*STUPID" --
palm should be facing to the NON-DOMINANT side)
viscountess MAL "V" at center of forehead moving to dominant temple
and changing to MAL "C" (Be VERY CAREFUL with the palm
orientation on the "V" so as not to sign "*STUPID" --
palm should be facing to the NON-DOMINANT side) + "*GIRL"
+ "*FORMAL,POLITE,FANCY"
laurel MAL "L" on each hand placed on chest where the peerage
medallion would rest, showing the shape of the laurel
wreath.
pelican duck-bill (handshape like sign for "*NO") then same
handshape moving to pierce the chest (the symbol of
the order, the pelican vulning itself)
*peer Sign for "*EQUAL"
master/mistress Sign for equal made into an intialized sign using
the MAL "M" on each hand (all masters/mistresses
of whatever flavor are peers)
knight MAL "K" at waist moving from center to dominant side,
drawing the belt which is the symbol of the order.
squire MAL "S" in the same movement as the sign for "KNIGHT"
master/mistress MAL "M"at non-dominant shoulder, moving to dominant
of arms hip where it becomes MAL "A", for the baldric that is
the symbol of the order.
baron Closed "X" handshape moving from center of the forehead
to dominant side, denoting three of the pearls in the
Baronial coronet
baroness Closed "X" handshape moving from center of the forehead
to dominant side, denoting three of the pearls in the
Baronial coronet + "*GIRL" + "*FORMAL,POLITE,FANCY"
NOTE : If it becomes important to differentiate between a "LANDED"
and a "COURT" baron/baroness you can do so. When I lived in
the Midrealm it was easy to do because all LANDED barons had
gold coronets and all COURT barons had silver coronets but that
does not seem to hold true in the Eastrealm (and these are the
only two kingdoms of which I have any experience).
seneschal "*KEY" + "*PERSON" indicator
marshall Mime pulling a sword then with "one' handshapes, cross
fingers in saltire (the heraldry denoting marshalls)
autocrat "*CONTROL" + "*PERSON" indicator {Closed "X" handshape
on both hands, palms facing each other. Move alternately
foreward and backward -- as in pulling strings} I've also
seen the ASL sign for "BOSS" made with an "A" but I find
that a very awkward maneuver
archery marshall Left hand in "one" handshape, right hand, MAL "M",
miming pulling back a bow from the left handshape.
herald Sign for "LECTURE" done with an "H" handshape.
chiurgeon Using a "C" handshape, make the sign for "*HOSPITAL"
majesty "M" handshape moving up -- the sign for "*HIGH"
excellency "E" handshape moving up -- the sign for "*HIGH"
highness "H" handshape moving up -- the sign for "*HIGH"
royal MAL "R" moving from non-dominant shoulder to dominant hip
court Sign for "*CELEBRATE" + Sign for "*MEETING"
"OYEZ" "*ATTENTION"
*kingdom "*KING" +"*AREA"
barony baron + "*AREA"
minister of arts "*TEACHER" initialized with the MAL "M" + "*ART"
minister of "*TEACHER" initialized with the MAL "M" + "*SCIENCE"
sciences
minister of "*TEACHER" initialized with the MAL "M" + "*ART" + "*SCIENCE"
arts/sciences
Award of Arms "*GIFT" + display with "A" handshape
-------------
SIGNS FOR ALL OF THE KINGDONS AND SOME PRINCIPALITIES
Atlantia MAL "A" + "*SEA, OCEAN"
Atenveldt "*SUN" + "*FACE"
An Tir "*LION" + mime the claw outwards
Ansteorra "*SUN" starting from waist up +"*STAR"
Caid Simultaneously with both hands outline the shape of
crescents in the air about eye height
Calontir "*CROSS" + "*FANCY, DECORATED" {the cross with the *stuff*}
Drachenwald Mime sign for "firebreath" + "*WOODS"
Outlands "*DEER" + sign for animal jumping outward
*East MAL "E" moved towards right
*West MAL "W" moved towards left
*Middle Non-dominant hand, palm upwards. Dominant hand above
this, palm facing body, "B" handshape. Dominant hand
moves in small circle and lowers tostrike center of
non-dom. palm with fingertips
Meridies MAL "M" + 3 "*STARS"
Trimaris "*THREE" + "SEA, OCEAN"
Aethelmearc Interlaced fingers (for the escarbuncle) + "*ROLLING"
Ealdermere "*FLOWER" +"*WOLF"
Cynagua MAL "C" at throat moving into sign for "*SWAN"
The Mists "*FOG"
Settmour Swamp "*TOWER" + mime sign for falling over
Concordia of "*SNAKE" in circle biting its tail +
the Snows "*SNOW"
Coldwood "*COLD" + "*WOOD"
Stonemarche "*STONE, ROCK" + "*AREA"
<the end>