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Appendix B: Handshapes

Handshape refers to the configuration or physical form/shape of the hand(s) during the production of a sign. Below you will find the written descriptions, as well as drawings (from the viewer’s perspective), of the primary handshapes used in the Simplified Sign System. The signer’s right hand is depicted. (See also “Tips for Using the Sign Lexicon and Sign Index” in Chapter 10, Volume 2, for a more detailed discussion of each handshape, along with any acceptable variations that may exist.)

	Baby O-hand: the index finger and thumb are curved and touch at their tips from an otherwise closed hand.
	Bent-hand: the fingers are together and extended at a right angle with respect to the palm.
	C-hand: the fingers are together and curved, with the thumb opposite the fingers.
	Claw-hand: the fingers are spread apart and bent.
	Curved-hand: the fingers and thumb are together and curved.
	Fist: the hand forms a fist.
	Flat-hand: the hand is flat with fingers together and extended.
	G-hand: the index finger and thumb are extended from an otherwise closed hand and are parallel.
	H-hand: the index and middle fingers are together and extended from an otherwise closed hand.
	Horns-hand: the little finger and thumb are extended from an otherwise closed hand.
	L-hand: the index finger and thumb are extended from an otherwise closed hand and form a right angle.
	Okay-hand: the index finger and thumb are curved and touch at their tips from an otherwise open hand.
	Pointing-hand: the index finger is extended from an otherwise closed hand.
	Spread curved-hand: the fingers are spread apart and curved.
	Spread- or 5-hand: the hand is flat with fingers spread apart and extended.
	Tapered- or O-hand: the fingers are together and curved, with the finger tips touching the thumb tip.
	V-hand: the index and middle fingers are spread apart and extended from an otherwise closed hand in the shape of a “V.”

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