In a message dated 3/10/2006 8:59:06 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
veryfunnie@ writes:
I want to clarify to see if star and socks differ in LOCATION
(parameters) since someone said it is a MOVEMENT difference. Who is
right? Thanks in advance.
Dear Student,
There are two main differences between STARS and SOCKS:
Location: STARS is done at around face level, whereas SOCKS is
done near belly button level.
Additionally, there is a difference in the parameter known as "palm
orientation."
Orientation: STARS is palm forward, whereas SOCKS is palm
backward/downward.
The "movement" is essentially the same, however it might be argued that
the sign STARS uses a (slightly) larger movement and or tends to
be inflected more than SOCKS. Often you will see people signing STARS
using a repetitive movement while sweeping it through the air (as if to
show "many stars in the sky). Additionally, we tend to use "eye gaze"
much more with the sign "STARS" than we do SOCKS -- look at the sign
STARS and/or look toward the "stars" while doing the sign STARS much
more so than we look at the sign SOCKS or look toward our feet while
doing the sign SOCKS.
Also from time to time you will notice some people opening their mouths
in a shape that looks as if they are pronouncing the first three letters
of the English word "stars." I rarely see people mouthing the word
"socks" while doing the sign "SOCKS."
Cordially,
Dr. Bill
"lexicographer"
Lifeprint.com