Sign Language Notation System

The Hamburg Sign Language Notation System, HamNoSys , is a "phonetic" transcription system, which has been in widespread use since its original version - in the tradition of Stokoe-based systems - that was published some fifteen years ago.

For the first time the current version 3.0 considers practical experiences in the use of the system and also results of sign languages, other than ASL, which unvalidate several implicit presumptions in HamNoSys. By doing that, it exceeds the Stokoe system in terms of structure and expressive power, as well.HamNoSys does not refer to national diversified finger spelling and therefore can be applied internationally.
Software is available in form of:

• Macintosh : complete writing script including
  • font
  • keyboardlayout
  • sorting rhythm etc.
• Windows : font

Prillwitz, Siegmund et al: HamNoSys. Version 2.0; Hamburg Notation System for Sign Languages. An introductory guide. (International Studies on Sign Language and Communication of the Deaf; 5) Hamburg : Signum 1989 - 46 p.

In order to get a first impression of the innovations in version 3.0, seminar documents concerning this subject have been prepared by us which are available via WWW.

You can download a pdf-file which contains the changes and modifications in version 4.0 (with background knowledge of version 3.0). In order to get a first impression of the innovations in version 4.0, seminar documents concerning this subject have been prepared by us which are available via WWW.

More information that can be obtained via WWW:

• handshapes

For further questions please contact Thomas Hanke , Constanze Schmaling