, and nonmanual features. Different sign languages make use of different handshapes.

Constraints

Possible handshapes are constrained by a variety of mechanic and neural factors. Evolutionary forces have led to some handshapes being easier or more natural for humans to produce than others. These tendencies can be summarized as follows:

# The selected (extended) finger is either the thumb or the index finger
# Neighboring fingers are coupled

1.Previous
3.Next