Welcome to my YouTube channel, BSL learning with Mel.
Todays topic is Parameters.
So maybe you think what are parameters, I don't know.
Parameters are an important part of BSL.
You can compare them to building blocks.
Altogether in BSL there are 5 parameters, I'll go through them quickly.
HANDSHAPES
LOCATION
MOVEMENT
ORIENTATION
NON MANUEL FEATURES
On there own they mean nothing.
They can be in pair or more but I will explain.
There are roughly 40 different handshapes in BSL.
Maybe you can think of examples.
That's a "B" handshape.
What about sign that use a "B" handshape.
Table, shelf, door, please, thank you
There are many, many signs.
Bad hand shape.
Critize, swear, ill, sick
Good handshape
Well done, good, proud or always or regular.
Did you notice I used two different handshapes for the sign always.
Many different signs have two or more handshapes or just one.
"G" handshape. Sign people or community. Notice two different handshapes.
Irish T handshape, screwing, open and closing curtains or fishing.
Notice again two different handshapes
Throwing and then winding the fishing rod using a fisted hand shape.
Single "C', continue or full "C" coffee or conversation.
That's just a few hand shapes, there are many many more.
Now moving on to location, so this is where the sign is.
So maybe nose, chin, temple, forehead, body or arm. Many.
Examples, think, know
Same location there but different handshapes.
Expert
From the nose, how old,
That's 5 hand shape.
From the chin, how much, the fingers wiggle slightly.
So it's the same handshape, same movement but different location.
Now moving on to movement.
Now and today
Same handshape, same location but different movement.
Orientation which refers to which way the palm is facing
Maybe that way etc...
Example, clawed handshape, cat, the orientation of the palm is facing back
Or change to winter, so the orientation of the palm is facing downwards.
Same handshape, different location but same movement.
Moving onto non manual features.
Non manual features are often used with multi channel signs. I have a video on that topic you can watch. There is more information there.
Notice this sign change.
Happy
You know that means I am happy.
Now change, same sign, same handshape, same area, same movement but different with non manual features.
Happy
Do you think I'm happy, no? Not happy
I'm shaking my head slightly which is negation but that's for another future video.
As well, crafty, notice the tongue sticks out to the side. That's a non manual feature.
So that's just a few examples of parameters
Okay, thank you for watching and I'll see you soon, bye.
