HOLM and expression

There are five language parameters of Auslan: Handshape, Orientation, Location, Movement and Non-Manual Features.

Handshapes

There are 38 major Auslan handshapes and each of them are specifically defined. There are also 28 ‘variation’ handshapes.

Orientation

Orientation refers to the direction of the palms and if they face up, down or to the side.

Location

Location is where the sign is physically located on the body or in particular space.

Movement

Movement refers to the actual movement of the sign. There are two types of movement, ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’. Primary movement is for when there is only one kind of movement, as with the sign for ‘school’, ‘sit’ or ‘lift’. Secondary movement has a combination of at least two different movements. For example, the sign ‘one more’ has the same movement asthe sign for ‘prawn’, but ‘prawn’ also has secondary movement in a forward direction.

Non-Manual Features

Non-manual features refers to the use of facial expression and the use of body movement, which can change the meaning of a sign.

Please watch the video with captions on for examples of each of these parameters in action.