Study On The Handshape Of Chinese Sign Language

The linguistics of sign language started from William C. Stokoe's study on American Sign Language. In the past half a century, The linguistics of sign language had got it's legal status. In China, The linguistics of sign language is in the initial stage, and it's status hasn't be steady. Handshape was put forward by Stokoe in Sign Language Structure. He suggested a sign had it's structure as spoken language, and could be divided into several parts that were handshape, location and movement. Handshape is the most important element. It is the hand configuration when a sign is made. In signs, if the handshape is different, their meanings are different, too. So handshape takes an important part in the meanings of signs. Now the study on linguistics of sign in China is starting, but hasn't formed a system. How many handshapes there are in Chinese Sign Language and what they are, which are the questions need clearingand solving.The object of the thesis is 5056 signs in the book of Chinese Sign Language(CSL). The result is: First, according the configuration of handshape structure that is the number, combination and conformation of the fingers, there are 61 handshapes in CSL. Second, according the number of the finger, handshapes of CSL can be divided into five categories: handshapes for single finger, two fingers, three fingers, four fingers and five fingers. Third, there are great differences between the frequency of handshapes. That is said the handshape capabilities of making signs are different. Fourth, there are some common characteristics in meanings between sign words with the same handshape. Fifth, the words of CSL can be divided into different categories according the number of hands and handshapes. According the number of hands, the words of CSL can be divided into sign words for single hand, double hands, and single-double hands. Sign words for double hands include signs for two hands same and different. Sign words for single-double hand include signs for single hand +double hand and double hand +single hand. In base of it, according the handshapes, the words of CSL can be divided into different types once more.