FYI ----- Forwarded by Peter Constable/IntlAdmin/WCT on 03/02/2001 08:50 AM ----- Hi all. I thought that you might be interested. These two messages were recently posted on the Sign Language Linguistics List. Shelley -------------Forwarded Message----------------- From: "For the discussion of linguistics and signed languages.", INTERNET:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [unknown], INTERNET:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 23-02-01 01:34 a.m. RE: summary on notation systems Hi, I am Brigitta Horvath with the question on notation systems from last week. Thanks for the great number of replies, they were really useful for us. Based on your remarks, for me it seems that most of you use a notation systems either HamNoSys, SignFont, Stokoe's system (alonf with Mandel Marks's ASCII system), the sytsem presented in the Dictionary of British Sign Language or SignWriting, or an altered one according to special needs. I found out that there are not serious problems with the iconic symbols while exchanging data on the net (earlier I had thought so). Most of you who reacted on my question were quite satisfied with the certain system, I got especially good remarks on HamNoSys. If any of you are more interested in the details I can offer my help as I have done a sort of research on the topic, or may visit the following sites: SignWriting: www.SignWriting.org It was developed by Valerie Sutton in the 70's and its primary aim is to provide a tool for everyday written communication. Can be used with any sign language. Highly iconic, the fonts can be downloaded, whole packages can be purchased. Very popular among deaf people but it is not easy to invent new symbols. Mark Mandel's system (ASCII-Stokoe for ASL): http://world.std.com/~mam/ASL.html This alfanumerical system is based on Stokoe's but makes it easy to computerize our data. Useful and quite easy to learn system. SignFont: http://members.home.net/dnewkirk/signfont/ HamNoSys: http://www.sign-lang.uni-hamburg.de/Projekte/HamNoSys/default.html Both HamNoSys and SignFont are highly iconic but the fonts can be downloaded for both. They are extensible and can be used with any sign language. There are already some software available based on these systems (e.g. SyncWriter for HamNoSys). SignPhon http://www.leidenuniv.nl/hil/sign-lang/signphon2.html Database-oriented (not written, exactly) representation. (From Angus B. Grieve-Smith) Or you can observe the system presented in the dictionary of BSL/English (Brien, D., Brennan, M. (1992) Dictionary of British Sign Language/English. Faber and Faber Ltd., London). Most of the systems are the derivates of Stokoe's system which you all know, I believe. I hope that no important system is left out but if so, please let me know! I think we are able to decide on one now but I am diplomatic :) Many thanks, Brigitta Horvath PhD student, University of Pécs ass. teacher at the University of Veszprém, Dep. of. Appl. Linguistics address: H-8200, 3, Egyetem Str., Veszprém, Hungary Fax: 00-36-88-406-360 Tel.: 00-36-30-251-01-76 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________ From: "For the discussion of linguistics and signed languages.", INTERNET:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [unknown], INTERNET:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 24-02-01 06:08 p.m. RE: Berkeley Transciption System (BTS) for signed languages Here is another option for transcribing sign language data--at the levels of meaning components, signs, nonmanuals, and utterances: The Berkeley Transcription System (BTS) is designed for computer-based transcription and analysis of sign language discourse, following the guidelines of CHILDES (Child Language Data Exchange System). Transcription is at the level of meaning components, both manual and nonmanual, using ASCII characters. The format is consistent with CHAT, allowing for analysis using CLAN programs. BTS has been developed on the basis of videotapes of adult-child interaction in American Sign Language and Sign Language of the Netherlands, in consultation with native signers, linguists, and psycholinguists, and with support from the National Science Foundation. Dutch and German versions are also available. There is a website for BTS: www.colorado.edu/slhs/btsweb. The BTS Manual can be found there, as well as on the CHILDES website: http://childes/psy.cmu.edu (look under the CHAT heading, for either Mac or Windows; BTS is Chapter 11 of the CHAT Manual). We will be happy to send the current BTS Manual, as well as an article describing the rationale of BTS (to be published by the journal Sign Language & Linguistics). Please e-mail a request to Amy Weinberg: [EMAIL PROTECTED] We look forward to international collaboration in improving the system and applying it to new research projects and sign languages. Dan Slobin University of California, Berkeley Nini Hoiting Royal Institute for the Deaf "H. D. Guyot" Haren, The Netherlands