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Sutton-Slevinski Collaboration S. Slevinski
Internet-Draft SignPuddle
Intended status: Informational May 9, 2013
Expires: November 10, 2013
The SignPuddle Standard for SignWriting Text
draft-slevinski-signwriting-text-01
Abstract
For concreteness, because the universal character set is not yet
universal, and because an international standard for the internet
community should be documented and stable, this I-D has been released
with the intention of producing an RFC to document the character use
and naming conventions of the SignWriting community on the Internet.
The SignWriting Script is an international standard for writing sign
languages by hand or with computers. From education to research,
from entertainment to religion, SignWriting has proven useful because
people are using it to write signed languages. The SignWriting
Script has two major families: Block Printing for the reader and
Handwriting for the writer. The script encoding model presented in
this document evolved from the Block Printing half of the SignWriting
Script.
The SignWriting Text encoding model encompasses the Block Printing
family of the SignWriting Script. The plain text model for the
mathematical names has been stable since January 12th, 2012. The
visual image can be SVG generated on the server or created with an
experimental TrueType Font. The coded character sets and character
encoding forms are documented with regular expressions.
The ad hoc graphemes of informal SignWriting were first created in
1974. Ad hoc graphemes are still used in the handwriting family.
The standardized symbols of computerized Block Printing text began in
1986. After several generations of writers and standardized
symbolsets, the ISWA 2010 has been optimized and refined as a 16-bit
coded character set with several isomorphic encodings based on an
ordered hierarchy with 6 degrees of significance. The International
SignWriting Alphabet 2010 is a mathematical symbolset that has been
stable since its initial release on May 11th, 2010.
The SignPuddle Standard for SignWriting Text is an open and freely
available encoding model for sign language as text. The licenses
include the Open Font License for the fonts, Creative Commons by-sa
(Attribution, Share Alike) for the documentation, and the GPL for the
software implementation. The technological infrastructure continues
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to expand and should be fully realized by the time this I-D has
become an RFC. SignPuddle Online contains almost 1 million examples
of 2-dimensional signs written by the internet community. Each
logogram has a mathematical name which describes the freeform
placement of the symbols. These strings are the written record of
the sign. This standard and emerging infrastructure are used for the
sign language Wikipedia project on Wikimedia Labs. This standard is
being integrated with the SignTyp linguistic coding system developed
by Rachel Channon through an NSF grant. This standard was the origin
for the alternate Unicode proposals.
For Unicode, the current use of the Private Use Area font characters
is documented. The state of the TrueType Font is explained. A
character proposal for plane 1 is included that is isomorphic with
the characters that are currently used by the community.
Three appendices discuss additional topics to the standard. The
first discusses the Modern SignWriting theory and example document,
stable since January 12, 2012. The second discusses the founding
principles of Cartesian SignWriting: a script encoding model for
SignWriting Block Printing. The third discusses a common framework
for written sign language grammar.
This memo concretely defines a conceptual character encoding map for
the Internet community. It is published for reference, examination,
implementation, and evaluation. Distribution of this memo is
unlimited.
Status of this Memo
This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.
Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF). Note that other groups may also distribute
working documents as Internet-Drafts. The list of current Internet-
Drafts is at http://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/.
Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
time. It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."
This Internet-Draft will expire on November 10, 2013.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2013 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
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document authors. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
(http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
publication of this document. Please review these documents
carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must
include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of
the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as
described in the Simplified BSD License.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.1. Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.2. Historical Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.3. Current Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2. SignWriting Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.1. 2-Dimensional Logograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.2. Viewpoints, Planes, & Perspectives . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3. Block Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3.1. Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3.2. Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3.3. Computerized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4. Handwriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4.1. Cursive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4.2. Shorthand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3. SignWriting Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.1. Mathematical Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.1.1. Pattern String . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.1.2. Unordered String . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.1.3. Compact and Tractable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.2. Visual Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2.1. TrueType Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2.2. Server Generated SVG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3. Character Encoding Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3.1. ASCII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3.2. Unicode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.4. Coded Character Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.4.1. x-ISWA-2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.4.2. x-Binary-SignWriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.4.3. x-Character-SignWriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.5. Character Encoding Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.5.1. Lite Markup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.5.2. Formal SignWriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.5.3. Kartesian SignWriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
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3.5.3.1. Raw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.5.3.2. Expanded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.5.3.3. Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.5.3.4. Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.6. Query Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4. ISWA 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.1. Grapheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.2. Symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.3. Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.4. Combined Character Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.5. Validity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5. SignPuddle Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.1. Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.1.1. Open Font License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.1.2. Creative Commons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.1.3. GPL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.1.4. BSD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.2. Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.2.1. International SignWriting Alphabet Fonts . . . . . . . 39
5.2.2. SignWriting Icon Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
5.2.3. SignWriting Thin Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
5.2.3.1. CSS Text Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
5.3. Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
5.3.1. SignPuddle Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
5.3.2. Wikimedia Labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
5.3.3. SignTyp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
5.3.4. SignWriter Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
5.3.5. DELEGS Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6. Unicode Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6.1. Private Use Area Font Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6.2. Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
8. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Appendix A. Modern SignWriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Appendix B. Cartesian SignWriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
B.1. Signbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
B.2. Temporal Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
B.3. Logograph of Logographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Appendix C. Theory of SignWriting Grammar and Encoding . . . . . 50
C.1. Logographic Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
C.2. Punctuation and Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
C.3. Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
C.4. Lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
C.5. Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
C.6. Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
C.6.1. Freeform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
C.6.2. Restricted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
C.6.3. Non-form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
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C.7. Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
C.7.1. Absolute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
C.7.2. Relative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
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1. Introduction
For concreteness, because the universal character set is not yet
universal, and because an international standard for the internet
community should be documented and stable, this I-D has been released
with the intention of producing an RFC to document the character use
and naming conventions of the SignWriting community on the Internet.
The SignWriting Script is an international standard for writing sign
languages by hand or with computers. From education to research,
from entertainment to religion, SignWriting has proven useful because
people are using it to write signed languages.
Sign languages are fundamentally different than spoken language in
the quality of the segments in the stream of human speech. The
SignWriting Script uses 2-dimensional logograms with freeform symbol
placement to capture the spatial and simultaneous segments in the
stream of signed language speech.
The SignWriting fonts and standards are freely and openly available,
with no royalties or restrictions. This information is provided to
promote a complete solution for an open culture in written sign
language.
1.1. Overview
The SignPuddle Standard for SignWriting Text is an emerging standard
intended for the internet community. This memo concretely defines a
fully developed model for reference, examination, implementation, and
evaluation. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
The fonts are officially available [1]. The release candidate of the
SignWriting Icon Server is available on Github [2], hosted on
SignBank [3] and hosted on Wikimedia Labs [4].
Section 1 Introduction: includes a discussion of terminology,
historical background, current usage, and this overview of the
document.
Section 2 SignWriting Script: includes a general discussion of the
SignWriting script. Both the Block Printing and the Handwriting
families are discussed.
Section 3 SignWriting Text: includes a general discussion of the
plain text of logograms for the mathematical names and visual images.
Section 4 ISWA 2010: discusses the SignWriting grapheme, symbolset,
and symbol encoding of the ISWA 2010. Symbols are visually iconic,
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uniquely identified, and organized in a layered hierarchy.
Section 5 SignPuddle Standard: defines the licenses, infrastructure,
and the data available.
Section 6 Unicode Integration: discusses the private use area font
characters and the proposed characters on plane 1.
Appendix A Modern SignWriting: discusses the theory and example
document released on January 12th, 2012.
Appendix B Cartesian SignWriting: presents a script encoding model
for SignWriting Block Printing. Formal structures for logographic
sign are mixed with punctuation to form text.
Appendix C Theory of SignWriting Grammar: discusses the common and
possible script encoding models for written sign language.
1.2. Historical Foundation
In 1966, Valerie Sutton invented the DanceWriting notation, which was
the precursor to the entire Sutton MovementWriting System.
in 1974, Valerie Sutton invented the SignWriting Script. The
subsequent development of the script was driven by input from readers
and writers, both hearing and Deaf.
From 1974 to 1986 SignWriting Script was written exclusively by hand.
During this time the use of the script spread around the world, and
to this day it continues to be written on paper and chalkboard.
In 1981, the development of SignWriting Block Printing evolved
rapidly with the publication of the SignWriting Newsletter, which was
published from 1981 to 1984.
In 1984 Emerson and Stern Associates received a grant to develop a
word processor for SignWriting Block Printing. The resulting
software, which operated on the Apple II, supported only a minor
subset of the SignWriting system. It was not subsequently used, and
received no further development.
In 1986, Richard Gleaves designed and developed SignWriter as a word
processor for SignWriting Block Printing. SignWriter introduced the
keyboard typing model and a symbol encoding system which served as
the basis for subsequent encoding systems. The initial version was
for the Apple IIe, and the resulting symbolset was limited by the
128KB memory limit.
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By 1995, SignWriter had been ported to MS-DOS and expanded to support
multiple languages, an integrated sign dictionary, and the full
SSS-95 symbolset. SignWriter DOS was distributed on the internet,
and achieved widespread international use.
In 1999, the SSS-99 symbolset was created for SignWriter Java. The
revamped symbolset was created without the limitations imposed upon
the SSS-95.
In 2002, the SSS-2002 symbolset reorganized the structure of the
symbols imposing a multi level hierarchy with the modern symbol ID.
The SSS-2002 was the first symbolset used in the SignBank 2002
application by Todd Duell.
In 2004, the SSS-2004 symbolset was created after reaching widespread
international use. The SSS-2004 was the first symbolset used in the
SignPuddle application by Steve Slevinski. This symbolset was
expanded to include international MovementWriting concepts and became
known as the International MovementWriting Alphabet.
September 12, 2008, Valerie Sutton and Steve Slevinski released the
ISWA 2008 under the open font license. The International SignWriting
Alphabet 2008 was a major refactoring of the IMWA concept by
eliminating the general MovementWriting symbols and focusing on the
SignWriting script. Valerie organized and named 37,811 unique
symbols. Steve analyzed and formatted the ISWA 2008, creating a 16-
bit coded character set called the x-ISWA-2008. Steve also created
the first iteration of Cartesian SignWriting as a script encoding
model.
The ISWA 2008 was used in a production setting for a year and a half
without issue. In 2010, the ISWA 2008 was updated. 576 unused
symbols had a palm facing irregularity which needed to be fixed.
General size and shape of the symbols did not change.
May 11th, 2010, Valerie and Steve released the ISWA 2010. The ISWA
2010 was designed as a focused refactor of the ISWA 2008 concepts.
The update included a restructured hierarchy, better movement
symbols, elimination of variation defects, addition of new hand
shapes, and removal of hand shape variations. Revision 2 of
Cartesian SignWriting script encoding model was released for the ISWA
2010. The symbolset and encoding have been stable since release,
with only a cosmetic fix for symbol 01-06-017-01-03-10.
June 22nd, 2010, Steve refactored the coded character set as 12-bit
rather than 16-bit to improve searching. The updated script encoding
model was called Cartesian SignWriting revision 3.
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October 20th, 2010, the initial release of the ISWA 2010 Font
Reference. Since then, 2 years of stability and growth.
February 23rd, 2011, the addition of SVG using polygon line tracing.
September 19th, 2011, the complete SVG Refinement by Adam Frost.
January 12th, 2012, the fully realized character encoding model for
SignWriting Text.
May 2nd, 2012, added database fonts.
November 1st, 2012, the prerelease of the SignWriting Icon Server.
1.3. Current Usage
SignPuddle Online contains almost 1 million examples of 2-dimensional
signs written by the internet community. Each logogram has a
mathematical name that describes the freeform placement of the
symbols. These strings are the written record of the sign. XML
files organize these names by language and purpose. The ASL
Dictionary has over 9 thousand entries.
This standard and emerging infrastructure are used for the sign
language Wikipedia project on Wikimedia Labs (Section 5.3.2). This
standard is being integrated with the SignTyp linguistic coding
system developed by Rachel Channon through an NSF grant
(Section 5.3.3). This standard was the origin for the alternate
Unicode proposals. Compatibility with this standard is highly
encouraged to efficiently leverage sign language as text.
For Unicode, the current use of the Private Use Area font characters
is documented. A character proposal for plane 1 is included that is
isomorphic with the characters that are currently used by the
community.
2. SignWriting Script
The SignWriting Script is the universal and complete solution for
written sign language. It has been applied to a wide and deep
international community of many sign languages including: American
Sign Language, Arabian Sign Languages, Australian Sign Language,
Bolivian Sign Language, Brazilian Sign Language, British Sign
Language, Catalan Sign Language, Colombian Sign Language, Czech Sign
Language, Danish Sign Language, Dutch Sign Language, Ethiopian Sign
Language, Finnish Sign Language, Flemish Sign Language, French-
Belgian Sign Language, French Sign Language, German Sign Language,
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Greek Sign Language, Irish Sign Language, Italian Sign Language,
Japanese Sign Language, Malawi Sign Language, Malaysian Sign
Language, Maltese Sign Language, Mexican Sign Language, Nepalese Sign
Language, New Zealand Sign Language, Nicaraguan Sign Language,
Norwegian Sign Language, Peruvian Sign Language, Philippines Sign
Language, Polish Sign Language, Portugese Sign Language, Quebec Sign
Language, South African Sign Language, Spanish Sign Language, Swedish
Sign Language, Swiss Sign Language, Taiwanese Sign Language, and
Tunisian Sign Language.
Initially developed in 1974, the script was written exclusively by
hand for 12 years. Since then the script has spread around the world
and continues to be written on paper and chalkboard.
In 1981, SignWriting Publishing rapidly evolved with Block Printing.
In 1986, computerization of the SignWriting Block Printing began.
The current symbol encoding of the ISWA 2010 has been stable since
the font release on October 20th, 2010. The current character
encoding model has been stable since the initial release of Modern
SignWriting on January 12th, 2012.
2.1. 2-Dimensional Logograms
A founding principle of the SignWriting Script is that signs are
written in 2-dimensional signboxes. The size of the signbox varies
with the symbols written inside. Both block printing and handwriting
use 2-dimensional logograms.
Inside of a 2-dimensional signbox, the symbols are placed in a
freeform, 2-dimensional arrangement. This feature of the script
expresses spatial relation directly.
2.2. Viewpoints, Planes, & Perspectives
Writing based on vision uses two viewpoints: receptive and
expressive. The receptive viewpoint is based on the idea of
receiving an image. For the receptive viewpoint, the right hand of a
signer will be written on the left side of the canvas. When
SignWriting is used for transcription, the receptive view is most
often used. The related writing systems of DanceWriting and
MovementWriting normally use the receptive viewpoint.
The expressive viewpoint is based on the idea of expressing a
concept. For the expressive viewpoint, the right hand of a signer
will be written on the right side of the canvas. When SignWriting is
used for authorship, the expressive view is most often used.
The are two main writing planes: the front wall (Frontal Plane) and
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the floor (Transverse Plane). The choice of writing plane can affect
the shape of the graphemes, such as the fill pattern for the hand
graphemes or the tail for the movement arrow graphemes.
There are two perspectives: front and top. The front perspective is
a straight on view of/from the signer. The top perspective is a top-
down view of the signer. Usually, a cluster will be written from a
single perspective.
2.3. Block Printing
Block printing is only half of the SignWriting Script. Block
printing is based on the iconic symbols of the symbol set. Each of
the iconic symbols is structured, standardized, and highly featural.
Block printing is used in education, publishing, and is the basis of
the computerized model.
Valerie Sutton writes, "SignWriting Printing is easy to read. It is
designed for the reader. The Printing can be written by hand as well
as by computer. If I am writing a letter to a friend in ASL, I write
the letter in SignWriting Printing, taking the time to make sure that
my handwritten-symbols are easy and clear to read. I try to write as
clearly as if I were using a computer. Of course it is slower, but
it is worth it, knowing that my friend will be able to read my
letter!"
2.3.1. Education
Kids all over the earth [5] are learning block printing thanks to
Valerie Sutton and the material she donates though the Center for
Sutton Movement Writing [6].
2.3.2. Publishing
The history of SignWriting Publishing had a rapid development between
1981 and 1984 with the SignWriter Newspaper [7]. Patience and
concentration was needed to write neat enough for publication.
Stencils and wax transfer symbols were used in painstaking work.
Typesetters could consistently reproduce the iconic symbols.
Discussions during early publishing history were a catalyst for
developing a way to type sign language.
The SignWriter Newspaper suspended in 1984 and resumed publication as
a typed SignWriter Newsletter in 1989.
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2.3.3. Computerized
Block printing is the basis of the computerized SignWriting model.
Read about the Historical Foundation in section 2.C of Modern
SignWriting.
Computerized SignWriting is important, but there is so much more [8]
to the SignWriting Script [9].
2.4. Handwriting
SignWriting Handwriting [10] has always been a part of the script.
Valerie Sutton writes, "SignWriting Handwriting is easier to write by
hand, than the Printing. It is designed for the writer. There are
several variations of Handwriting, and since most of the time, the
writer is only writing for private notes, some writers create their
own shortcuts that work just for them...and that is fine!"
2.4.1. Cursive
A popular form of SignWriting is cursive. It can be shared among a
groups of writers or it can be individualized and personal. Cursive
writing is designed to have fluid marks and a natural flow. Cursive
writing may use fewer features than the iconic symbols, but should be
related to an iconic symbol in appearance and meaning. Once
developed, this style of writing is great for taking notes in a
class.
2.4.2. Shorthand
Shorthand is a skill of the proficient writer [11]. They can write
SignWriting shorthand quickly and naturally.
In 1982, Sign Language Stenographers could record sign language with
SignWriting Shorthand at normal signing speed [12]. Time tests
proved practice and special training were required. The marks they
write are personal style of quick and efficient strokes with a highly
developed reception to what signifies meaning. They understand the
iconic symbols of the SignWriting Script, but their marks are
personal reminders rather than a fully developed text.
The shorthand in and of itself is often an incomplete representation
of the gestures that were experienced. The shorthand writing can be
thought of as a short-term memory device. Often shorthand notes must
be revised and extended at a later time, the sooner the better.
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3. SignWriting Text
SignWriting Text uses plain text that is iconic. The sequential
characters specify properties in common between forms. The text is
diagrammatic with defined relationships and simple structures. It
clarifies likenesses that are topologically similar.
SignWriting Text is grammatically correct because it supports
2-dimensional arrangement and writing with lanes. Mathematically
sized logograms are named with plain text strings based on patterns.
Simple HTML and CSS are used for proper vertical layout.
This model separates visual display from layout issues. It is
compatible with TrueType Fonts and server generated SVG.
The model defines several compatible coded character sets and
character encoding forms.
3.1. Mathematical Name
The mathematical name of a logographic sign is a plain text string of
characters. This encoding model makes explicit those features which
can be effectively and efficiently processed. Formal languages and
regular expressions are used to solve fundamental problems.
3.1.1. Pattern String
The mathematical name is structured with 11 different tokens. They
can be grouped in 4 layers: the 5 structural makers (A, B, L, M, R),
the 3 base symbol ranges (w, s, P), the 2 modifier indexes (i, o),
and the numbers (n).
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Token Patterns
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Pattern | Description |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| wio | a writing symbol as 3 |
| | tokens of writing base, |
| | fill modifier and |
| | rotation modifier |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| nn | coordinate with X and Y |
| | values as 2 numbers |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| wionn | a spatial symbol as 5 |
| | tokens, with 3 tokens for |
| | a writing symbol and 2 |
| | tokens for coordinates of |
| | top left placement |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| (wionn)* | zero or more spatial |
| | symbols |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Bnn(wionn)* | a signbox with a |
| | preprocessed maximum |
| | coordinate and a list of |
| | spatial symbols used for |
| | horizontal writing |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| [LMR] | a lane marker: either |
| | left, middle or right. |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| [LMR]nn(wionn)* | a signbox in either the |
| | left, middle, or right |
| | lane with a preprocessed |
| | maximum coordinate and a |
| | list of spatial symbols |
| | used for vertical writing |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| [ws] | a writing base symbol or |
| | a detailed location base |
| | symbol |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| [ws]io | a writing symbol or a |
| | detailed location symbol |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| ([ws]io)+ | one or more writing |
| | symbols and/or detailed |
| | location symbols |
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| (A([ws]io)+)? | an optional prefix as a |
| | prefix marker followed by |
| | one or more writing |
| | symbols and/or detailed |
| | location symbols |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| Pio | a punctuation symbol as a |
| | punctuation base symbol |
| | with a fill modifier and |
| | a rotation modifier |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| (((A([ws]io)+)?Bnn(wionn)*)|Pio)+ | a sign text for |
| | horizontal writing as a |
| | string of signboxes (with |
| | optional prefixes) and |
| | punctuation |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
| (((A([ws]io)+)?[LMR]nn(wionn)*)|Pio)+ | a sign text for vertical |
| | writing as a string of |
| | signboxes in lanes (with |
| | optional prefixes) and |
| | punctuation |
+---------------------------------------+---------------------------+
Table 1
3.1.2. Unordered String
2-dimensional space does not have a normative 1-dimensional order. A
group of spatial symbols is defined as (wionn)* which is zero or more
writing symbols with 2-dimensional placement by tokens nn for each
symbol. The tokens nn are meaningful and searchable. Each symbol
defined with wionn is absolutely meaningful and searchable. Except
for exact sign matching, the 2-dimensional order of the spatial
symbols is meaningless and unreliable.
3.1.3. Compact and Tractable
The ASCII encoding is ready to deploy with a mature infrastructure.
The name of a sign with 4 symbols is 60 characters long. The plain
text model fully supports the grammar of written ASL with an
additional 350 characters of basic HTML and CSS. The stand alone
JavaScript engine for client side viewing is 1.3 K characters and
qualifies as a micro script. This script can be applied to any
modern browser through a site script or initiated within a browser
using a bookmark.
To search for a sign with 4 spatial symbols requires 53 characters of
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query string and will create around 800 characters of regular
expression.
3.2. Visual Image
The visual image of a logographic sign is a 2-dimension arrangement
of symbols inside of a sign box. The sign box has a defined width,
height, and 2-dimensional center that can be calculated from the
plain text. The SVG created by the SignWriting Icon Server is print
quality.
3.2.1. TrueType Font
Ready for experimental use with several open issues. The entire ISWA
2010 is included with 2-dimensional arrangements of symbols for the
logograms. The TrueType Font utilizes the temporary Unicode
characters from the Private Use Area.
There are 4 open issues: the symbols are fuzzy, handshapes overlap
incorrectly, arrow head/tail fill is missing, and Graphite
occassionally crashes.
3.2.2. Server Generated SVG
The SignWriting Icon Server (open source on GitHub) is able to create
logographic sign images from the mathematical names. The SVG is
grammatically correct and print quality.
Each SignWriting Icon Server provides the SignWriting Thin Viewer as
a site script and as a bookmark. The main SignWriting Icon Server is
available on Wikimedia Labs and open to all. The backup SignWriting
Icon Server is available on SignBank.org. New SignWriting Icon
Servers can be created directly from the GitHub source.
3.3. Character Encoding Scheme
Encoding schemes define how a character is written as a sequence of
bytes. SignWriting Text can use any encoding schemes that supports
ASCII or Unicode.
Given a sequence of bytes representing text and a stated character
encoding scheme, a string of characters is unambiguous and it is easy
to recreate a sequence of characters as required for plain text.
3.3.1. ASCII
Every logographic sign has a mathematical name in ASCII. ASCII is
universally supported. The ASCII names are authoritative and easy to
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identify. Searching with regular expressions is 4 times faster in
ASCII that the equivalent Unicode.
3.3.2. Unicode
Every logographic sign has a temporary name of Unicode PUA characters
for client side font handling. The use of the Unicode PUA
demonstrates the necessity and the capability of the proposed
character set.
3.4. Coded Character Set
A character is a fundamental building block of digital data. A
character's smallest representation is a binary representation of a
code point found in a character set. A string is an ordered sequence
of characters, which is nothing more that a list of code points.
3.4.1. x-ISWA-2010
The x-ISWA-2010 is a 16-bit character set that covers each symbol of
the ISWA 2010. A 16-bit code is an integer between 0 and 65,535.
This type of value is perfect for a primary key for database lookup
or other integer index. Through a simple formula, any symbol
identification can be transformed into a unique 16-bit codepoint.
Font software using the SQLite fonts rely on the x-ISWA-2010 coded
character set.
There are 652 BaseSymbols in the ISWA 2010, numbered from 1 to 652.
Each BaseSymbol can be visualized on a grid of 6 columns and 16 rows:
for the 6 fills and 16 rotations. Each symbol can be identified by 3
values of BaseSymbol, column and row.
The codes of the x-ISWA-2010 are assigned starting with the first
BaseSymbol grid. The first symbol is given a code value of 1 and the
codes are incremented down the first column, continue to the next
column, and continue through the remaining BaseSymbols.
Given any symbol with:
BaseSymbol number = n
Fill = f
Rotation = r
code = (n-1)*96 + (f-1)*16 + r
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3.4.2. x-Binary-SignWriting
The x-Binary-SignWriting is a 12-bit character set that covers the
characters of SignWriting Plain Text. It is possible to write the
name of a logographic sign with binary data. This is more of a
theoretical advantage because we don't write with 12-bit characters.
This form is most useful for the translation to Private Use Area
Unicode.
x-Binary-SignWriting Character
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Name | Token | BSW Codepoint(s) |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Sequence Marker | A | B+100 |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| SignBox Marker | B | B+101 |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Left Lane Marker | L | B+102 |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Middle Lane Marker | M | B+103 |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Right Lane Marker | R | B+104 |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Columns 1 thru 6 (fills) | i | B+110 - B+115 |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Rows 1 thru 16 (rotations) | o | B+120 - B+12F |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Writing BaseSymbols | w | B+130 - B+3AE |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Detailed Location BaseSymbols | s | B+3AF - B+3B6 |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Punctuation BaseSymbols | P | B+3B7 - B+3BB |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Negative Numbers: -250 thru -1 | n | B+706 - B+7FF |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
| Positive Numbers: 0 thru 249 | n | B+800 - B+8F9 |
+--------------------------------+-------+------------------+
Table 2
3.4.3. x-Character-SignWriting
The x-Character-SignWriting is a character set for SignWriting in
Unicode. Take the characters of the x-Binary-SignWriting coded
character set and add hexadecimal value FD700. The characters follow
the same token patterns as x-Binary-SignWriting defined in
Section 3.4.2.
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x-Character-SignWriting Characters
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Name | Token | Unicode PUA |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Sequence Marker | A | U+FD800 |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| SignBox Marker | B | U+FD801 |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Left Lane Marker | L | U+FD802 |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Middle Lane Marker | M | U+FD803 |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Right Lane Marker | R | U+FD804 |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Columns 1 thru 6 (fills) | i | U+FD810 - U+FD815 |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Rows 1 thru 16 (rotations) | o | U+FD820 - U+FD82F |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Writing BaseSymbols | w | U+FD830 - U+FDAAE |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Detailed Location BaseSymbols) | s | U+FDAAF - U+FDAB6 |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Punctuation BaseSymbols | P | U+FDAB7 - U+FDABB |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Negative Numbers: -250 thru -1 | n | U+FDE06 - U+FDEFF |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| Positive Numbers: 0 thru 249 | n | U+FDF00 - U+FDFF9 |
+--------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
Table 3
3.5. Character Encoding Form
The character encoding form for SignWriting text are based on ASCII
or Unicode. The standard Unicode CEFs of UTF-8, UTF-16, or UTF-32
can be used. For ASCII, an additional mapping layer of a lite markup
is used.
3.5.1. Lite Markup
ASCII characters are used to identify structure, symbols, and
coordinates. It has proven to be beneficial to use a human readable
lite markup of ASCII words separated by white space. Each word
represents either a signbox or a punctuation. The lite markup has
the advantage of a small size without requiring special Unicode or
XML functions. Simple regular expressions can quickly and
efficiently process the lite markup.
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In the lite markup, the structural markers use the token values as
the character representation.
Structural Marker Tokens
+-------+--------------------+
| Token | Description |
+-------+--------------------+
| A | Sequence Marker |
+-------+--------------------+
| B | SignBox Marker |
+-------+--------------------+
| L | Left Lane Marker |
+-------+--------------------+
| M | Middle Lane Marker |
+-------+--------------------+
| R | Right Lane Marker |
+-------+--------------------+
Table 4
In the lite markup, symbols are referenced by symbol keys: the letter
'S' followed by 5 hexadecimal values, 3 characters for the symbol
base and 2 characters for the modifiers.
In the lite markup, there are 2 types of coordinates: regular fixed-
width coordinates and irregular variable-width coordinates. Both
types of coordinates contain 2 numbers separated by the letter 'x'.
In the lite markup, regular coordinates are always 7 ASCII characters
long: 3 digits followed by the letter 'x' followed by 3 more digits.
The numbers range from 250 to 749, with 500 being the center point as
zero. So for regular coordinates, the string "250" is equal to the
number value of -250 and "749" is equal to the number value of 249.
The loose definition of regular coordinates matches numbers with 3
digits without specifying the number range. It has a regular
expression of /[0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3}/. The strict definition of regular
coordinates only matches numbers in the range from 250 to 749. It
has a more verbose regular expression of /(2[5-9][0-9]|[3-6][0-9]{2}|
7[0-4][0-9])x(249|2[5-9][0-9]|[3-6][0-9]{2}|7[0-4][0-9])/.
In the lite markup, irregular coordinates are variable width. The
numbers can be positive or negative. For negative numbers, the '-'
minus sign is replaced with the letter 'n'. The two numbers in the
coordinate are separated by the letter 'x'. The center coordinate of
(0,0) is represented by the string '0x0'. The coordinate (-250,-250)
is represented by the string 'n250xn250'.
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Although signs have a coordinate number limit of -250 to 249,
irregular coordinates are unbounded when used for display with
compounds of multiple signs and punctuation.
3.5.2. Formal SignWriting
Formal SignWriting is the standard format for storing the names of
the signs. It uses a lite markup with the token values for
structural markers (A, B, L, M, R), symbol keys, and regular
coordinates. White space is used to separate words of signs and
punctuation.
Regular Expressions of Formal SignWriting
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Stru | Regular Expression |
| ctur | |
| e | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Symb | S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f] |
| ol | |
| key | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Coor | [0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3} |
| dina | |
| te | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Sign | [BLMR]([0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3})(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f][0 |
| box | -9]{3}x[0-9]{3})* |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Term | (A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)[BLMR]([0-9]{3}x[0-9]{ |
| | 3})(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3})* |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Punc | S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3} |
| tuat | |
| ion | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Text | ((A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)?[BLMR]([0-9]{3}x[0-9 |
| | ]{3})(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3})*|S3 |
| | 8[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3})( |
| | (A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)?[BLMR]([0-9]{3}x[0- |
| | 9]{3})(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3})*| |
| | S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]{3}x[0-9]{3})* |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
Table 5
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3.5.3. Kartesian SignWriting
Kartesian SignWriting is an alternate encoding form with several
types of display variants. It uses a lite markup with the token
values for structural markers (A, B, L, M, R), symbol keys, and
irregular coordinates. White space is used to separate words of
signs and punctuation.
Each format uses a lite markup with the token values for structural
markers (A, B, L, M, R), symbol keys, and irregular coordinates.
Spaces separate words for signs and punctuation.
Regular Expressions of Formal SignWriting
+------------+--------------------------------+
| Structure | Regular Expression |
+------------+--------------------------------+
| Symbol key | S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f] |
+------------+--------------------------------+
| Coordinate | n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+ |
+------------+--------------------------------+
Table 6
3.5.3.1. Raw
The raw display format string contains the minimal amount of data
required to represent text. It defines signs and punctuations. The
signboxes are neither centered or sized. A signbox can occur
anywhere in the signbox space and the center is not assumed to be the
coordinate (0,0). The maximum coordinate for a signbox is unstated.
Likewise, the punctuation does not contain any placement information.
Layout is impossible without access to an outside datasource.
A sign is a combination of a lane maker (BLMR), followed by zero or
more symbol keys with placement coordinates.
A punctuation is represented with a single symbol key.
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Regular Expressions of Kartesian SignWriting Raw
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Struc | Regular Expression |
| ture | |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Signb | [BLMR](S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)* |
| ox | |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Term | A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+ |
| prefi | |
| x | |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Punct | S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f] |
| uatio | |
| n | |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Text | ((A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)?[BLMR](S[123][0-9a- |
| | f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*|S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9 |
| | a-f])( |
| | (A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)?[BLMR](S[123][0-9a |
| | -f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*| |
| | S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f])* |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
Table 7
3.5.3.2. Expanded
The expanded display format string contains sizing information (width
and height) for every symbol outside of the term prefix. The maximum
coordinate for a signbox can be calculated by adding the symbol width
and height to the symbol placement coordinate.
For any symbol key in the signbox or for punctuation, the width and
height is accessed from an outside data source. The size information
is written as an irregular coordinate and appended to the symbol key
through a simple search and replace.
A sign is a combination of a lane maker (BLMR), followed by zero or
more symbol keys with sizing information followed by placement
coordinates.
A punctuation is represented with a symbol key and a size coordinate
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Regular Expressions of Kartesian SignWriting Expanded
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Stru | Regular Expression |
| ctur | |
| e | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Sign | [BLMR](S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]+x[0-9]+xn?[0-9] |
| box | +xn?[0-9]+)* |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Term | A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+ |
| pref | |
| ix | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Punc | S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]+x[0-9]+ |
| tuat | |
| ion | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Text | ((A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)?[BLMR](S[123][0-9a-f |
| | ]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]+x[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*|S38[7-9 |
| | ab][0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]+x[0-9]+)( |
| | (A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)?[BLMR](S[123][0-9a- |
| | f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]+x[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*| |
| | S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f][0-9]+x[0-9]+)* |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
Table 8
3.5.3.3. Layout
The layout display format string contains the maximum coordinate as a
preprocessed value for signboxes and it contains the placement
coordinate for punctuation. It is equivalent to the lite markup for
the regular searching form, but with irregular coordinates.
A sign is a combination of a lane maker (BLMR), followed by the
maximum coordinate, followed by zero or more symbol keys with
placement coordinates.
A punctuation is a combination of a symbol key followed by a
placement coordinate. The center is assumed to be the coordinate
(0,0). The maximum coordinate is the additive inverse of the
placement coordinate.
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Regular Expressions of Kartesian SignWriting Layout
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Stru | Regular Expression |
| ctur | |
| e | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Sign | [BLMR]([0-9]+x[0-9]+)(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9 |
| box | ]+xn?[0-9]+)* |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Term | A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+ |
| pref | |
| ix | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Punc | S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+ |
| tuat | |
| ion | |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Text | ((A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)?[BLMR]([0-9]+x[0-9]+ |
| | )(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*|S38[7- |
| | 9ab][0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)( |
| | (A(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f])+)?[BLMR]([0-9]+x[0-9] |
| | +)(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*| |
| | S38[7-9ab][0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)* |
+------+------------------------------------------------------------+
Table 9
3.5.3.4. Panel
A panel display format string combines multiple signs and
punctuations into a unit as a defined height column or defined width
row. Each signbox contains an offset coordinate that is used to
position the symbols inside of the signbox. The offset is added to
the placement coordinate to determine the position of each symbol on
the panel.
Each panel begins with a panel display marker "D" followed by a
sizing coordinate. The top-left of the panel is taken to be the
coordinate (0,0) such that the sizing coordinate can be understood as
the width and height of the panel as well as the maximum coordinate.
Each panel can contain several signboxes. Each signbox has its own
offset coordinate. The offset coordinate is used to determine the
position of the signbox's symbols within the panel.
A full panel includes the panel prefix with several signboxes with
offsets.
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Regular Expressions of Kartesian SignWriting Display
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Struc | Regular Expression |
| ture | |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Signb | _[BLMR]([0-9]+x[0-9]+)(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0 |
| ox | -9]+xn?[0-9]+)* |
| with | |
| offs | |
| et | |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Panel | D[0-9]+x[0-9]+(_[BLMR]([0-9]+x[0-9]+)(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0 |
| | -5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*)* |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Panel | D[0-9]+x[0-9]+(_[BLMR]([0-9]+x[0-9]+)(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[0 |
| s | -5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*)*( |
| | D[0-9]+x[0-9]+(_[BLMR]([0-9]+x[0-9]+)(S[123][0-9a-f]{2}[ |
| | 0-5][0-9a-f]n?[0-9]+xn?[0-9]+)*)*)* |
+-------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
Table 10
3.6. Query Language
The query language is an ASCII lite markup similar to FSW used to
search. A query will compile to a series of regular expression to
search a section of text to find similar or exact sign matches.
Modern SignWriting section 9 clearly illustrates the searching
available and the associated regular expression technology.
The query string is a concise representation for a much larger set of
regular expression statements. The query string permits several
types of searches for symbols, ranges and spatial relation.
4. ISWA 2010
The ISWA 2010 is the abstract symbolset for the x-ISWA-2010 coded
character set. The symbols are visually iconic, uniquely identified,
and organized in a layered hierarchy (Section 4.3).
The x-ISWA-2010 is a 16-bit coded character used in the font software
to access the symbol glyphs.
The x-Binary-SignWriting is a 12-bit coded character set that does
not directly encode the symbols of the ISWA 2010, but divides each
symbol into a combination of 3 characters. The first character
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represents the base of the symbol. The next represents the fill of
the symbol. The last character represents the rotation of the
symbol.
4.1. Grapheme
The grapheme is the fundamental unit of writing for the SignWriting
script. Many graphemes of SignWriting are visually iconic. The main
writing graphemes of SignWriting represent a visual conception:
either hands, movement, dynamics, timing, head, face, trunk, or limb.
The body concept is a combination of trunk and limb. The specific
size and shape of each grapheme is designed to balance and complement
other graphemes.
The writing graphemes are extensive and specifically organized for
written sign language and sign gestures. The writing graphemes do
not include the specific graphemes of DanceWriting or the general
graphemes of MovementWriting.
The writing graphemes are used in clusters. A cluster is a spatial
grouping of graphemes written as a single unit. The graphemes can
overlap and obscure graphemes underneath. A cluster can represents a
sign of a sign language or a visual performance of a sign gesture.
Detailed location graphemes are separate from the main writing
graphemes. Detailed location graphemes are used individually or
sequentially. They represent isolated analysis that is written
outside the cluster.
Punctuation graphemes are used when writing sentences. They are used
individually, between clusters.
When written by hand, lines are drawn to form each grapheme.
Different styles draw different types of lines: either for personal
taste, speed, or quality. The main types of handwriting are formal,
cursive, and shorthand. Formal handwriting, equivalent to block
printing, includes defined lines for all grapheme features, specific
palm facings for hand shapes, and detailed arrow heads and tails.
Cursive handwriting is more fluid and less detailed. Handwriting for
personal use can omit palm facings, generalize arrows, and other
liberties of personal consumption. Shorthand is a further reduction
of detail, written for speed. Shorthand is a memory aid to a written
record and should be rewritten soon after the notes were taken.
Understanding the ratios of size and shape for the graphemes improves
hand writing. SignWriting was an exclusively handwritten script for
7 years before publishing formalized the Block Printing model.
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4.2. Symbol
There are 37,811 symbols, each with a unique ID. A symbol ID is a
sequence of six formatted numbers of increasing detail. The first
dashed number defines the category (11). The first two dashed
numbers define the group (11-22). The first four dashed numbers
define a base (11-22-333-44). The fifth number represents the fill
(55). The sixth number represents the rotation (66). A symbol ID is
a combination of base ID with a valid fill and a valid rotation. A
symbol ID has the format "nn-nn-nnn-nn-nn-nn", where each "n" is a
digit from 0 to 9.
The fill modifier can best be understood through the palm facing of
the hand graphemes. The palm facing is based on planes. The
SignWriting script uses two planes: the Front Wall (Frontal Plane)
and the Floor (Transverse Plane). There are 6 palm facings. The
first three palm facings are parallel with the Front Wall. The
second three palm facings are parallel with the Floor. The reader
can view the signer from different viewpoints (expressive or
receptive) and can view the hands from different perspectives (front
or top), but no matter what the viewpoint or perspective, the first
three Fills represent the palm facing parallel to the Front Wall and
the second three Fills represent the palm facing parallel to the
Floor.
+------+------------------------------+-----------------------------+
| Fill | Indicator | Meaning |
+------+------------------------------+-----------------------------+
| 01 | grapheme with white palm | reader sees palm of hand |
| | | parallel Front Wall |
+------+------------------------------+-----------------------------+
| 02 | grapheme with half black | reader sees side of hand |
| | palm | parallel Front Wall |
+------+------------------------------+-----------------------------+
| 03 | grapheme with black palm | reader sees back of hand |
| | | parallel Front Wall |
+------+------------------------------+-----------------------------+
| 04 | grapheme with white palm and | reader sees palm of hand |
| | broken line | parallel Floor |
+------+------------------------------+-----------------------------+
| 05 | grapheme with half black | reader sees side of hand |
| | palm and broken line | parallel Floor |
+------+------------------------------+-----------------------------+
| 06 | grapheme with black palm and | reader sees palm of hand |
| | broken line | parallel Floor |
+------+------------------------------+-----------------------------+
Table 11
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The fill modifier is redefined for the movement arrows of category 2.
+------+---------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Fill | Indicator | Meaning |
+------+---------------------+--------------------------------------+
| 01 | a grapheme with a | movement of the right hand |
| | black arrow head | |
+------+---------------------+--------------------------------------+
| 02 | a grapheme with a | movement of the left hand |
| | white arrow head | |
+------+---------------------+--------------------------------------+
| 03 | a grapheme with a | spatial overlapping of movement |
| | thin, unconnected | arrows for the left and right hands |
| | arrow head | when they move as a unit |
+------+---------------------+--------------------------------------+
| 04 | Irregular arrow | building blocks for complex movement |
| | stems | |
+------+---------------------+--------------------------------------+
Table 12
The rest of the other bases use a fill modifier for grouping and
visual organization that is meaningful only for a particular base
symbol or small set.
The rotation modifier can best be understood through the hand
symbols. The first 8 rotations progress 45 degrees counter
clockwise. The last 8 rotations are a mirror of the first 8 and
progress 45 degrees clockwise. Zero (0) degrees is understood to
point to the top of the grapheme.
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+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| Rotation | Direction | Degrees from top |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 01 | Counter Clockwise | 0 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 02 | Counter Clockwise | 45 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 03 | Counter Clockwise | 90 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 04 | Counter Clockwise | 135 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 05 | Counter Clockwise | 180 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 06 | Counter Clockwise | 225 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 07 | Counter Clockwise | 270 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 08 | Counter Clockwise | 315 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 09 | Clockwise | 0 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 10 | Clockwise | 45 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 11 | Clockwise | 90 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 12 | Clockwise | 135 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 13 | Clockwise | 180 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 14 | Clockwise | 225 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 15 | Clockwise | 270 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
| 16 | Clockwise | 315 |
+----------+-------------------+------------------+
Table 13
4.3. Hierarchy
The symbols of the ISWA 2010 are placed in a layered hierarchy for
organization and access. There are 4 levels to the ISWA 2010
hierarchy: category, group, base, and symbol.
There are 7 categories. The first number of the symbol ID identifies
the category. The first 5 categories contain writing symbols for use
in clusters: 1) Hands, 2) Movement, 3) Dynamics & Timing, 4) Head &
Face, and 5) Body. The Body category can be broken into 2
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subcategories: 5.1) Trunk and 5.2) Limb.
The 6th category is Detailed Location that contains symbols used
alone or in sequence, always outside the cluster. The 7th category
is Punctuation that contains symbols used between clusters for text.
The 7 Categories of the ISWA 2010
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
| Cat | Purpose | Name | Description |
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
| 1 | Writing | Hands | Handshapes from over 40 Sign |
| | | | Languages are placed in 10 |
| | | | groups based on the numbers |
| | | | 1-10 in American Sign Language. |
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
| 2 | Writing | Movement | Contact symbols, small finger |
| | | | movements, straight arrows, |
| | | | curved arrows and circles are |
| | | | placed into 10 groups based on |
| | | | planes: The Front Wall Plane |
| | | | includes movement that is |
| | | | "parallel to the front wall" |
| | | | and the Floor Plane includes |
| | | | movement that is "parallel to |
| | | | the floor". |
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
| 3 | Writing | Dynamics & | Dynamics Symbols are used to |
| | | Timing | give the "feeling" or "tempo" |
| | | | to movement. They provide |
| | | | emphasis on a movement or |
| | | | expression, and combined with |
| | | | Punctuation Symbols become the |
| | | | equivalent to Exclamation |
| | | | Points. The Tension Symbol, |
| | | | combined with Contact Symbols, |
| | | | provides the feeling of |
| | | | "pressure", and combined with |
| | | | facial expressions can place |
| | | | emphasis or added feeling to an |
| | | | expression. Timing symbols are |
| | | | used to show alternating or |
| | | | simultaneous movement. |
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
| 4 | Writing | Head & Face | Starting with the head and then |
| | | | from the top of the face and |
| | | | moving down. |
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
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+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
| 5 | Writing | Body | Torso movement, shoulders, |
| | | | hips, and the limbs are used in |
| | | | Sign Languages as a part of |
| | | | grammar, especially when |
| | | | describing conversations |
| | | | between people, called Role |
| | | | Shifting, or making spatial |
| | | | comparisons between items on |
| | | | the left and items on the |
| | | | right. |
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
| 6 | Detailed | Detailed | Detailed Location symbols used |
| | Location | Location | are used alone or in sequence |
| | | | outside of the cluster. They |
| | | | may be useful for sorting large |
| | | | dictionaries, refining |
| | | | animation, simplifying |
| | | | translation between scripts and |
| | | | notation systems, and for |
| | | | detailed analysis of location |
| | | | sometimes needed in linguistic |
| | | | research. |
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
| 7 | Punctuation | Punctuation | Punctuation symbols are used |
| | | | when writing complete sentences |
| | | | or documents in SignWriting. |
+-----+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------+
Table 14
There are 30 groups. The first 2 dashed numbers in the symbol ID
identify the group. The 30 groups can be divided into 3 sets of 10.
The first ten are hands, category 1. The second ten are movements,
category 2. The third ten are categories 3 thru 7. In order, 1
group for the Dynamics & Timing category, 1 for Head, 4 for Face, 1
for Trunk, 1 for Limb, 1 for Detailed Location, and 1 for
Punctuation.
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The 30 groups with symbol ID segment.
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| First Set | Second Set | Third Set |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-01 Index | 02-01 Contact | 03-01 Dynamics & |
| | | Timing |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-02 Index | 02-02 Finger Movement | 04-01 Head |
| Middle | | |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-03 Index | 02-03 Straight Wall | 04-02 Brow Eyes |
| Middle Thumb | Plane | Eyegaze |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-04 Four | 02-04 Straight | 04-03 Cheeks Ears |
| Fingers | Diagonal Plane | Nose Breath |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-05 Five | 02-05 Straight Floor | 04-04 Mouth Lips |
| Fingers | Plane | |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-06 Baby Finger | 02-06 Curves Parallel | 04-05 Tongue Teeth |
| | Wall Plane | Chin Neck |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-07 Ring Finger | 02-07 Curves Hit Wall | 05-01 Trunk |
| | Plane | |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-08 Middle | 02-08 Curves Hit Floor | 05-02 Limbs |
| Finger | Plane | |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-09 Index Thumb | 02-09 Curves Parallel | 06-01 Detailed |
| | Floor Plane | Location |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
| 01-10 Thumb | 02-10 Circles | 07-01 Punctuation |
+-------------------+------------------------+----------------------+
Table 15
There are 652 bases. The first 4 dashed numbers of a symbol ID
identify the base. The 652 bases are divided between the 30 groups.
For each group, there are less than 60 bases. The bases are often
displayed in columns of 10.
Each base can have up to 96 symbols. All 6 dashed numbers of the
symbol ID are required to identify a symbol. Each symbol is a
combination of a base, fill, and rotation. The fill is identified by
the 5th number of the symbol ID with possible values from 01 to 06.
The rotation is identified by the 6th number of the symbol ID with
possible values from 01 to 16.
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4.4. Combined Character Sequence
Each symbol of the ISWA 2010 can be expressed with a combination of 3
characters. The first character represents the base of the symbol.
The next character represents the fill of the symbol. The last
character represents the rotation of the symbol.
There are three forms the fill and rotation can use to represent
their value: a hexadecimal key, an x-Binary-SignWriting character, or
an x-Character-SignWriting character.
The x-Binary-SignWriting coded character set uses a 12-bit encoding.
Code points in this set use a "B+" prefix along with the 3
hexadecimal digits that represent the value.
The x-Character-SignWriting coded character set uses the Private Use
Area of Unicode. These code points occur on plane 15. Code points
in this set use a "U+" prefix along with the 5 hexadecimal digits
that represent the value.
The fill value ranges from 1 to 6. The fill key is 1 less than the
value and ranges from 0 to 5.
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| Fill Value | Key | x-Binary-SignWriting | x-Character-SignWriting |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 1 | 0 | B+110 | U+FD810 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 2 | 1 | B+111 | U+FD812 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 3 | 2 | B+112 | U+FD812 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 4 | 3 | B+113 | U+FD813 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 5 | 4 | B+114 | U+FD814 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 6 | 5 | B+115 | U+FD815 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
Table 16
The rotation value ranges from 1 to 16. The rotation key is written
in hexadecimal and is equal to 1 less than the value and ranges from
"0" to "f".
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+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| Rotation | Key | x-Binary-SignWriting | x-Character-SignWriting |
| Value | | | |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 1 | 0 | B+120 | U+FD820 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 2 | 1 | B+121 | U+FD821 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 3 | 2 | B+122 | U+FD822 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 4 | 3 | B+123 | U+FD823 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 5 | 4 | B+124 | U+FD824 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 6 | 5 | B+125 | U+FD825 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 7 | 6 | B+126 | U+FD826 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 8 | 7 | B+127 | U+FD827 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 9 | 8 | B+128 | U+FD828 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 10 | 9 | B+129 | U+FD829 |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 11 | a | B+12A | U+FD82A |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 12 | b | B+12B | U+FD82B |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 13 | c | B+12C | U+FD82C |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 14 | d | B+12D | U+FD82D |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 15 | e | B+12E | U+FD82E |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
| 16 | f | B+12F | U+FD82F |
+------------+-----+----------------------+-------------------------+
Table 17
Further, a 16 bit symbol code from the x-ISWA-2010 exists for each of
the valid combined character sequences. This relationship can be
stated as (symbol code = ((base code - 256) * 96) + ((fill value - 1)
* 16) + rotation value). The first symbol code is 1 and the last
valid symbol code is 62,504.
The first symbol has an ID of "01-01-001-01-01-01" and a symbol code
of 1.
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Symbol code 1 = symbol key S10000 = B+130, B+110, B+120 = U+FD830,
U+FD810, U+FD820.
Symbol code 1 = ( ( hexdec('100') - 256 ) * 96 ) + ( (
fill_value(1) - 1 ) * 16 ) + rotation_value(1).
Symbol code 1 = ( ( 256 - 256 ) * 96 ) + ( ( 1 - 1 ) * 16 ) + 1.
Symbol code 1 = ( 0 * 96 ) + ( 0 * 16 ) + 1.
Symbol code 1 = 1.
4.5. Validity
Although there are 6 possible fills and 16 possible rotations, not
every combination of base, fill, and rotation is valid. Each base
has a set of valid fills and a set of valid rotation. These validity
sets contain one or more values from the defined range.
For each value, the inclusion in the validity set can be expressed
with a value of "0" or "1". For fill values, lining up the digit
from left to right, will result in a string 6 digits long. The value
of the 6 digit number is 2 ^ (value -1).
+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| Fill Value | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Binary | Power of 2 |
+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| 1 | X | | | | | | 100000 | 1 |
+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| 2 | | X | | | | | 010000 | 2 |
+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| 3 | | | X | | | | 001000 | 4 |
+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| 4 | | | | X | | | 000100 | 8 |
+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| 5 | | | | | X | | 000010 | 16 |
+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| 6 | | | | | | X | 000001 | 32 |
+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
Table 18
The value of any fill validity set is equal to the sum of the power
of 2 for each fill value in the set. The empty set is invalid and
has a sum of zero (0). The full set of all possible fills has a sum
of 63.
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+---------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| Fill Set | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Binary | Power of 2 |
+---------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| {} | | | | | | | 000000 | 0 |
+---------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
| {1,2,3,4,5,6} | X | X | X | X | X | X | 111111 | 63 |
+---------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--------+------------+
Table 19
Each base has a defined validity set for fills. The "Fills" column
in the "Bases" section.
The rotation validity sets have a larger range than the fills. The
possible rotation values range from 1 to 16. The power of 2 numbers
are 16-bit.
+-------+--------+------------+
| Value | Binary | Power of 2 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 1 | 2^0 | 1 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 2 | 2^1 | 2 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 3 | 2^2 | 4 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 4 | 2^3 | 8 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 5 | 2^4 | 16 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 6 | 2^5 | 32 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 7 | 2^6 | 64 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 8 | 2^7 | 128 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 9 | 2^8 | 256 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 10 | 2^9 | 512 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 11 | 2^10 | 1024 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 12 | 2^11 | 2048 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 13 | 2^12 | 4096 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 14 | 2^13 | 8192 |
+-------+--------+------------+
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+-------+--------+------------+
| 15 | 2^14 | 16384 |
+-------+--------+------------+
| 16 | 2^15 | 32768 |
+-------+--------+------------+
Table 20
The value of a rotation validity set is the summation of the power of
2 numbers. The minimum summation is 1. The largest possible
summation is 65,535 where all 16 rotations are valid.
Each base has a defined validity set for rotations. The "Rotations"
column in the "Bases" section.
Interestingly enough, there are only 12 possible validity sets in the
ISWA 2010.
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Sum | Binary | Set |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 1 | 100000 | {1} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 2 | 010000 | {2} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 3 | 110000 | {1, 2} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 7 | 111000 | {1, 2, 3} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 15 | 111100 | {1, 2, 3, 4} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 31 | 111110 | {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 63 | 111111 | {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 187 | 11011101 | {1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 255 | 11111111 | {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 511 | 1111111110000000 | {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 48059 | 1101110111011101 | {1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, |
| | | 16} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
| 65535 | 1111111111111111 | {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, |
| | | 12, 13, 14, 15, 16} |
+-------+------------------+----------------------------------------+
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Table 21
5. SignPuddle Standard
The SignPuddle Standard for SignWriting text is nearing a stable and
fully functional version 1.
5.1. Licenses
5.1.1. Open Font License
Our font software is available under SIL's Open Font License.
5.1.2. Creative Commons
Our reference material is licensed under Creative Commons
attribution, share alike (by-sa).
5.1.3. GPL
The current open source projects are licensed under the GPL 2 for
MediaWiki and GPL 3 for the general software on Github. Any
contributions to the open source code must agree to a possible
relicense in the future under a BSD like license.
5.1.4. BSD
After the financial issues [13] of the Center for Sutton Movement
Writing have been addressed, the open source projects will relicensed
under a more open and free BSD-like license, such as the MIT License.
5.2. Infrastructure
5.2.1. International SignWriting Alphabet Fonts
The International SignWriting Alphabet 2010 (ISWA 2010) Font
Reference [1] is a product of the collaboration between SignWriting
inventor, Valerie Sutton, and SignWriting encoder Stephen E Slevinski
Jr. Special thanks to Adam Frost's excellent work on the SVG
refinement and more.
The ISWA 2010 fonts have been stable since their initial release on
October 20th, 2010.
Valerie Sutton
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o hand crafted and organized 30K plus individual glyphs
o created a 2 dimension PNG of 3 colors for each
o named each individual glyph with 6 degrees of significance
o font name: ISWA 2010 Sutton
Steve Slevinski
o counted and numbered the glyphs
o created mathematical names
o analyzed PNGs for line and fill
o refactored glyphs - font name: ISWA 2010 PNG Standard
o extended glyphs - font names: ISWA 2010 PNG Inverse, Shadow,
Colorized
o traced glyphs - font names: ISWA 2010 SVG Line Trace, Shaddow
Trace, Smooth, and Angular
o refactored and extended Adam's SVG work - font name: ISWA 2010 SVG
Refinement
Adam Frost
o manually traced each and every glyph that could not be
automatically rotated
o font name: ISWA 2010 SVG Refinement
o physically performed and photographed every hand shape
o font name: ISWA 2010 Hand Photo
o consulted with Valerie in places of ambiguity
o found the Facial Irregularity, documented in the ISWA 2010 Errata
5.2.2. SignWriting Icon Server
The SignWriting Icon Server create SVG and PNG images and queries
data collections using an open API. The image creation is stable and
fully implemented. The API is currently under construction with only
an initial level of support.
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The main server is available on Wikimedia Labs [4] for all
SignWriting projects.
A backup server is available on SignBank [3].
Additional SignWriting Icon Servers can be created directly from the
GitHub source.
5.2.3. SignWriting Thin Viewer
The SignWriting Thin Viewer uses JavaScript to wrap the sign names
with basic HTML and CSS to fully supports the grammar of written ASL.
This script can be applied to any modern browser through a site
script or initiated within a browser using a bookmark.
5.2.3.1. CSS Text Layout
The SignWriting Thin Viewer use CSS to make SignWriting text behave
more like logographic text. It uses simple math for layout. It has
center data points for selecting text to copy and for searching text
on a page. It uses images for individual signs and punctuation. It
makes SignWritng text act more like text.
The current working prototype uses 12 CSS rules: 4 that cover every
cluster, 4 that cover the data string, and 4 custom layout values for
each cluster.
Common
o position: relative;
o background-repeat: no-repeat;
o background-origin: content-box;
o padding: 10px;
Data Span
o display: table-cell;
o vertical-align: middle;
o font-size:0%;
o height: inherit;
Individual
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o width: ?px
o height: ?px
o left: ?px
o background-image: url(ht..
The width, height, and left values are easy to calculate using the
character string. No need to access a database or wait for the image
server.
The background-image must link to a SignWriting Icon Server. CSS
rules will directly effect the '''url''' affecting the style of the
rich text. Specify the looks of Headings 1 thru 6, bold, italic, or
to indicate URL links.
5.3. Compatibility
SignPuddle Online, ASL Wikipedia Project, SignTyp, SignWriter Studio,
the DELEGS Editor, and more.
5.3.1. SignPuddle Online
SignPuddle Online [14] is the current home of the international
community of online writers of the SignWriting Script. Online tools
make it possible to create SignWriting dictionaries and documents
directly on the web. Each collection is freely available as a small
XML file [15]. Dozens of sign languages from around the world are
represented. Each language can have several collections of
SignWriting.
5.3.2. Wikimedia Labs
SignWriting has an open project on Wikimedia Labs [16]. The ASL
Wikipedia Project [17] is in full swing. The Libras Wikipedia
Project [18] may start soon.
In general, Wikimedia Labs creates virtual computers running Linux.
They use a special tool called Puppet to configure the virtual
servers. Wikimedia Labs allows you to create, manage, and analyze
the virtual servers through a MediaWiki based application. Wikimedia
Labs is deeply integrated but not always configured properly or
documented.
Wikimedia Labs has created a project for SignWriting. I am a super
user on Wikimedia Labs. I administer the SignWriting project. I can
create virtual servers at will, each is called an instance. I have 2
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instances running. The first is "ase10", the 10th server I created
before I had everything properly configured and installed. I created
"ase11" when I was trying to fix the catastrophic crash of the ASL
Wikipedia. "ase11" is a basic server without MediaWiki or the SWMP.
For the public to view anything on Wikimedia Labs, you must use an IP
from a limited pool. Each project has a limit of 0 IPs when it is
first created. This number can be increased according to need.
I have 2 public IPs for SignWriting. The first is used by the ASL
Wikipedia Project and points to "ase10". The second is currently
used for the SignWriting Icon Server [4] installation for Wikimedia
projects.
There is no BZS virtual server running on Wikimedia Labs. This needs
to be created by a skilled and experienced Linux administrator
through the Wikimedia Labs environment. BZS is pointing to the
SignWriting Icon Server on "ase11".
You do not need a public IP to start development on Wikimedia Labs,
only to be viewed by the public.
5.3.3. SignTyp
This standard is being integrated with the SignTyp linguistic coding
system developed by Rachel Channon through an NSF grant.
Notation Systems [19] by Harry van der Hulst and Rachel Channon.
Why dynamic features? [20] by Harry van der Hulst and Rachel
Channon.
Transcription systems as input to coding systems: SignWriting &
SignTyp [21] by Charles Butler and Rachel Channon.
5.3.4. SignWriter Studio
SignWriter Studio [22] is a Windows-only compatible application by
Jonathan Duncan. It has an alternate symbol selection technique.
According to Valerie Sutton, it illustrates a unique insight into the
hand shapes of the ISWA.
Jonathan Duncan writes:
SignWriter Studio has 4 ways to get the basic symbol base, and 3
ways to modify the selected base.
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1) Select the base symbol from a complete list of base symbols
organized in a tree view 2) Search for a hand symbol in hand
search section by hand feature. 3) Select a symbol already present
in the signbox. 4) Select a symbol from a Favorites section.
Then one of three chooser to define the fill and rotation will
become available. 1)The hand chooser. 2)The arrow chooser. 3)The
general chooser.
The Hand chooser is to quickly find the symbol for a certain,
hand, plain(wall or floor), palm facing and rotation. The Hand
Chooser also extends add a fourth palm facing to logically show
all possible symbols in their most common uses. This chooser
resembles the instruction manual explaining the use of hand
shapes.
The Arrow Chooser is to quickly find arrows for a certain hand,
plain(wall or floor) and rotation.This chooser resembles the
instruction manual explaining the use of arrows.
The General Chooser is for symbols for which the two previous
chooser do not work well and gives a grouped list of symbols for
the base group.
5.3.5. DELEGS Online
The DELEGS Editor [23] from the University of Hamburg and C1 WPS GmbH
in Germany is designed for Deaf Education. It is a tool for writing
translation texts between spoken and signed languages.
Spoken language text is used to display horizontal SignWriting Text
from left to right. The spoken language can appear beneath the sign
or it can be hidden.
6. Unicode Integration
SignWriting Text is integrated with Unicode in the Private Use Area.
6.1. Private Use Area Font Characters
The Unicode PUA is a simple shift of the x-Binary-SignWriting coded
character set. Each code is increased by decimal value 1,038,080
which is FD700 in hex. An experimental TrueType Font converts the
Unicode PUA to create the visual images.
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6.2. Proposal
A shift of the 12 bit characters of x-Binary-SignWriting by 1D700
will use the range U+1D800 to U+1DFFF, using eight 8-bit rows of
Unicode Plane 1 known as the the SMP: Supplementary Multilingual
Plane. These rows occur inside an unassigned section of the
Notational systems.
These are the characters being used by the community. The gap
between the ISWA 2010 symbols and the number sections illustrates two
truths. First, the entire Sutton MovementWriting family will be
encoded. Second, it doesn't really matter where the numbers are
placed, perhaps plane 14.
The number characters encode the ruler principle with characters.
The ruler principle is built in automatically for scripts written
sequentially in one dimension. The number characters are needed for
2-dimensional logograms, where the spatial relationship between
symbols is explicitly stated with X,Y Cartesian coordinates. Number
characters may be a useful concept for other scripts and notations to
support 2-dimensional script processing.
The entire set of characters is used for a plain text model of a
2-dimension logographic script with freeform placement of symbols.
Future additions to the ISWA 2010 will include essential hand shapes
and new mouth shapes. New characters will extend the SignWriting
Text model with minimal complications.
Future proposals will include the rest of the Sutton MovementWriting
System.
7. IANA Considerations
This section provides guidance to the Internet Assigned Numbers
Authority (IANA) regarding registration of values related to the code
spaces of the Center for Sutton Movement Writing, in accordance with
[RFC2978]. protocol, in accordance with BCP 26, [RFC2434].
See IANA: http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2978.txt
Conforms with RFC 2040.
There are three name spaces for the Center for Sutton Movement
Writing that require definition and extension: x-ISWA-2010, x-Binary-
SignWriting, and x-Character-SignWriting
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SignWriting Text is an international standard with several coded
character sets. These sets may require additional hand and mouth
shapes.
The following terms are used here with the meanings defined in BCP
26: "name space", "assigned value", "registration".
The following policies are used here with the meanings defined in BCP
26: "Private Use", "First Come First Served", "Expert Review",
"Specification Required", "IETF Consensus", "Standards Action".
8. Security Considerations
None.
URIs
[1] <http://signpuddle.net/iswa>
[2] <https://github.com/Slevinski/swis>
[3] <http://signbank.org/swis>
[4] <http://swis.wmflabs.org>
[5] <http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/cursive/curs007.html>
[6] <http://movementwriting.org/csmw/>
[7] <http://www.signwriting.org/library/history/hist005.html>
[8] <http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/cursive/curs002.html>
[9] <http://signpuddle.net/wiki/index.php/SignWriting_Script>
[10] <http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/cursive>
[11] <http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/cursive/shorthand>
[12] <http://www.signwriting.org/lessons/cursive/byhand5.html>
[13] <http://signpuddle.net/wiki/index.php/The_Wall>
[14] <http://signpuddle.org>
[15] <http://signbank.org/signpuddle2.0/data/spml>
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[16] <https://labsconsole.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Nova_Resource:Signwriting>
[17] <http://ase.wikipedia.wmflabs.org>
[18] <http://bzs.wikipedia.wmflabs.org>
[19] <http://homepage.uconn.edu/~hdv02001/Articles-pdfs/
131%20-%20Notation%20Systems.pdf>
[20] <http://www.purdue.edu/tislr10/pdfs/
van%20der%20Hulst%20Channon.pdf>
[21] <http://www.signwriting.org/archive/docs7/
sw0623_TISLR_2010_SignWriting_SignTyp_Poster.pdf>
[22] <http://signwriterstudio.com>
[23] <http://www.delegs.com/DelegsPage>
[24] <http:// http://signpuddle.net/wiki/index.php/MSW>
[25] <http://www.linkedin.com/groups/
Searching-3-digit-number-simple-
1066587.S.85595980?qid=9cb1768b-5413-4f7f-92b5-fbef2c243df8>
[26] <http://signpuddle.net/wiki/index.php/
SignWriting_Text_Reference>
[27] <http://signpuddle.net/wiki/index.php/MSW:Mathematical_Model>
Appendix A. Modern SignWriting
This Internet Draft is in complete agreement with the theory and
example workbook released on January 12th, 2012 called Modern
SignWriting [24].
Modern SignWriting has example text and concretely defines the
processes available. It fully documented the symbol encoding. The
query language is by far the most important aspect of this design.
Modern SignWriting section 9 clearly illustrates the searching
available and the associated regular expression technology. I
discussed the model on the Regular Expressions Experts list of Linked
In the end of 2011 [25].
Modern SignWriting is now part of the SignWriting Text Reference [26]
and available in wiki form and PDF.
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Entire sections of the Modern SignWriting document will be included
in this I-D as progresses is made.
Appendix B. Cartesian SignWriting
Cartesian SignWriting is the name of a script encoding model for
SignWriting Block Printing. The mathematical model is defined by the
SignWriting Text Language [27]. This language uses formal words to
name terms, signs, and punctuation.
Formal structures of logographic sign are mixed with punctuation to
form text. Each logographic sign is a 2-dimensional arrangement of
symbols defined with cartesian coordinates.
Cartesian SignWriting is a heuristic model. The first prototypes
were created in 2008. Through trial and error, the model was
successively refactored to reduce the complexity and the computation
cost of the implementations. The model has been optimized for common
usage and processing.
B.1. Signbox
Cartesian SignWriting uses coordinate based symbol placement.
Each logographic sign exists on its own 2-dimensional canvas. Each
point on the canvas is identified with an X and a Y coordinate. Each
canvas has a defined center. Formal numbers range from -250 to 249.
Informal number have no limit.
Y Axis
| -
|
|
|
|
|
X Axis |
-----------+------------
- | +
|
|
|
|
|
| +
Symbols are placed on the canvas with coordinates that represent the
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top-left of the symbol image.
B.2. Temporal Order
A term is a specialized sign that uses a sequential prefix before the
2-dimensional signbox.
A sequence is a list of writing symbols and/or detailed location
symbols. A valid sequence must contain at least one symbol and can
not contain punctuation. A sequence is an optional sign prefix used
to define a temporal order.
The temporal order of a sign is distinct from the visual cluster.
Neither structure can be dirived from the other automatically. It
requires human intelligence to correctly create the sequence from the
signbox contents.
There are several theories on the best way to structure a sequence.
The most productive is based on the SignSpelling Sequence theory of
Valerie Sutton. A sequence is structured as a series of starting
handshapes followed by optional movements, transitional handshapes,
movement, and end handshapes. Only symbols from category 1 (hands)
and category 2 (movement) should be used in this first section. The
last section of the sequence should contain symbols of dynamics &
timing, head & face, or body: categories 3, 4, and 5.
Detailed location symbols from category 6 can be used in a sequence,
but are rarely (if ever) needed for a sequence in general writing.
B.3. Logograph of Logographs
Cartesian SignWriting text uses a series of canvases, each with a
unique coordinate space. A higher level coordinate space can be
created to represent an entire panel of SignWriting Text. Either a
column of vertical writing or a row of horizontal. The higher level
coordinate space has an origin of (0,0). For columns, the panels
share a common height. For rows, the panels share a common width.
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X Axis
(0,0) width
+-------------------
|
Y h |
e |
A i |
x g |
i h |
s t |
|
|
The mathematics of the panel is defined in Modern SignWriting,
section 10.D Variant Display Form: Panel. The SignWriting Icon
Server contains the functions required to convert a section of
SignWriting Text into a series of panels. This can be useful for
presentation.
The development of the rich text model defines a higher level
logograph with manipulation of the DOM using CSS rules.
Appendix C. Theory of SignWriting Grammar and Encoding
Sign language is vastly different than spoken language. Instead of
the sequential sounds of the voice, there is a 3 dimensional space
with simultaneous action. The SignWriting Script creates
2-dimensional writing that is visually icon and full of featural
information. This is true on the symbol level and on the sign level.
A symbol represents phonemic information and is full of featural
information to better understand the phonemes of the symbols. A sign
is a 2-dimensional arrangement of symbols and is full of featural
information to better understand the morphemes of the signs.
The 2 families of the SignWriting Script are Handwriting and Block
Printing. The Handwriting family integrates with diacritic marks.
The Block Printing family uses 2-dimensional placement with overlap
and overlay.
Both of these families identify features in the writing they produce.
Block Printing uses more features and Handwriting often uses less.
The Block Printing family is aimed at the needs of the reader and the
publisher. The Block Printing family is ready to standardize with a
fully developed model.
The Handwriting family is concerned with the needs of the writer.
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The purpose is not to recreate the iconic symbols of the
International SignWriting alphabet exactly by hand, but the purpose
is to enable the writer to quickly write notes on paper or
chalkboard. Handwriting often drops features of the SignWriting
Script for efficiency and speed. If too many features are dropped,
the writing may loose it's clarity over time as the writer is
distanced from the writing. This is common for Shorthand.
C.1. Logographic Sign
A sign is a variably-size logographic word. It is a 2-dimensional
combination of symbols inside of a signbox with a tight bounding box
and an explicit center.
C.2. Punctuation and Text
Punctuation separates signs into structured sentences. A punctuation
symbol is always used alone and should not be used in a sign. Line
breaks should not occur before punctuation.
C.3. Terms
A term is a logographic sign with an optional prefix. The prefix is
a sequential list of symbols that identify temporal order and
additional analysis. Terms are special signs that are above the
standard noise of SignWriting Text. The query language of Formal
SignWriting support searching for general signs with the letter "Q"
and searching for terms with the letters "QT".
C.4. Lanes
When written vertically, SignWriting can use 3 different lanes: left,
middle, and right. The middle lane is the default lane and
punctuation is always used in the middle lane. No matter the lane,
the center of a sign is aligned with the center of the lane.
For body weight shifts to one side or the other, the center of the
cluster is aligned with a fixed horizontal offset from the middle
lane into either the left or right lane.
The left and right lanes are used to represent body weight shifts and
are represented by a horizontal offset from the middle lane. Body
weight shifts are important to the grammar of sign languages, used
for two different grammatical aspects: 1) role shifting during sign
language storytelling, and 2) spatial comparisons of two items under
discussion. One "role" or "item" is placed on the right side of the
body (right lane), and the other on the left side of the body (left
lane), and the weight shifts back and forth between the two, with the
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narrator in the middle (middle lane).
C.5. Modes
The most common writing mode is vertical.
Vertical Writing Mode
<-- width / extent -->
top side/
start side
+--------------------+ A
| ----> Block flow | |
| | |
| | i b T F | |
left side/ | | n a e l | right side/ height/
head side | | l s x o | foot side measure
| V i e t w | |
| n | |
| e | |
| | |
+--------------------+ V
bottom side/
end side
Figure 1
downward inline base
rightward block flow
vertical translate by word
variable dimensions of words
center of word aligns with the central baseline
variable over and under values from central baseline
The horizontal writing mode can loose or obfuscate important
grammatical information, but is still useful, especially for
translations with a spoken language.
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Horizontal Writing Mode
----> inline base
| B f Text
| l l Flow
| o o
v c w
k
Figure 2
C.6. Layout
The SignPuddle Standard for SignWriting Text uses a freeform layout
with cartesian coordinates for absolute positioning. Additional
layout options are included and explored.
The main issue of layout is how the writer will use the system. The
balance between complexity and usability from the writer's
perspective is of primary importance.
The second issue of layout involve comparison. Signs can quickly be
scanned for the symbols used; however, the relative position of the
symbols require an analysis of the layout. The different layouts
offer different approaches for evaluation.
The third issues of layout involves variability. There are two types
of variability. The first, inter-personal variability, occurs when
writers pick different symbols and different details. Inter-personal
variability is part of the writing system that layout can not
resolve. The second, intra-personal variability, occurs when writers
use the same symbols, but in slightly different positions. With
layout choices, it is possible to reduce the intra-personal
variability, but this reduction may harm the writing system by
imposing too many restrictions on the writer.
A fourth issues of layout involves elegance and beauty. Some may
consider one type of layout to be superior to another based on
subjective personal opinions. SignWriting is a unique script. The
ultimate choice of layout should be based on the writer's experience,
comparison, and variability.
C.6.1. Freeform
With freeform layout, the writer decides what symbols to use and the
exact symbol position. The freeform layout offers the greatest
flexibility for the writer and the greatest intra-personal
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variability.
Cartesian coordinates specify X and Y coordinates for the top, left
of the symbol glyph. The coordinates of the symbols relate to the
center of the canvas. The Cartesian Coordinate system is a more
practical choices for computer processing because the equations of
layout and comparison are eaiser. This is the current method for
writing. The writer is presented with a canvas and positions each
symbol independently.
Polar coordinates specify an angle and a distance from the center of
the sign to the center of each symbol. Polar coordinates require the
pythagorean therum and the slope equation for standard processing.
C.6.2. Restricted
It is possible to impose restrictions on symbol placement thereby
limiting the intra-personal variability of sign spellings.
For generic restrictions, instead of allowing any coordinates, it may
be possible to limit the options. For example, with polar
coordinates, only allow specific angles and specific distances. This
has not been evaluated.
For specific restrictions it may be possible to perform a statistical
analysis of the symbols used to come up with a limited number of
attachment points around each symbol and a small list of predefined
distances between symbols. This information would be symbol specific
and could greatly reduce the intra-personal variability if
successfully implemented.
C.6.3. Non-form
Some would argue that the writer should not determine the form of a
sign, but should input linguistic analysis and let the layout/font
manager determine the best representation for the written sign. This
would change the script from a writing system into computer aided
design, requiring concepts that are not part of the script and are
not part of the writer's thought processes. The idea would make for
an interesting project, but it is not about encoding SignWriting.
C.7. Positioning
Any of the above layout options have two choices for positioning:
absolute or relative.
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C.7.1. Absolute
The absolute position of each symbol relates to the center of the
sign. The freeform layout section above is defined using absolute
positioning.
C.7.2. Relative
A relative position relates the symbol position according to other
symbols. This could be defined with a tree structure or a more
complicated linked list. One or more root symbols could initialize
the sign and other symbols would build from the roots. The
restricted layout of polar coordinates is defined above using
relative positioning.
The viability and usability of relative positioning is unknown and
has not been investigated.
Author's Address
Stephen E Slevinski Jr
SignPuddle
Email: slevin@signpuddle.net
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