Expression or Non-Manual Features

Non-manual features (NMF) groups together a wide range of possible expressive mechanisms.These may include movements of the eyes,head and body,facial expression,mouthing and mouth gestures. These are used to help contextualise lexical signs and the other aspects of visual communication.

Insights into Auslan. (2010). Retrieved from http://deafsocietynsw.org.au/documents/SignLanguage1Handouts.pdf. 

Movement

Movement refers to the way the hand(s) move through space. For example, this may be in a tapping, circular or swift motion.

Insights into Auslan. (2010). Retrieved from http://deafsocietynsw.org.au/documents/SignLanguage1Handouts.pdf. 

Changing the movement of a handshape can change the meaning of the sign.

Location

Location refers to the position of the hand in the signing space. For example, this may be near the face, upper body or in a neutral space in front of the body.

Insights into Auslan. (2010). Retrieved from http://deafsocietynsw.org.au/documents/SignLanguage1Handouts.pdf. 

Changing the location of the handshape can change the meaning of the sign.

Orientation

Orientation refers to the direction of the palm and fingers. For example, these may be facing upwards, downwards, towards or away from the body.

Insights into Auslan. (2010). Retrieved from http://deafsocietynsw.org.au/documents/SignLanguage1Handouts.pdf. 

Changing the orientation can change the meaning of the sign.

Handshape

At present, there are sixty-two handshapes listed in the Auslan dictionary, however only thirty-seven are the core handshapes used, with the remaining twenty-seven seen as non-significant variations of these. 

Insights into Auslan. (2010). Retrieved from http://deafsocietynsw.org.au/documents/SignLanguage1Handouts.pdf. 

Changes to handshape can alter the meaning of a sign.