A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS)

1.1.1.2. Finger configuration

In the composition of handshapes, the selected fingers combine with a specific configuration. The most common configuration in LIS is extended finger(s). Other possible configurations are: i) flat open (base joint flexion with no contact between thumb and fingers), ii) flat closed (base joint flexion with contact between thumb and fingers), iii) curved open (base and non-base joint flexion with no contact between thumb and fingers), iv) curved closed (base and non-base joint flexion with contact between thumb and fingers), and v) closed (full base and non-base joint flexion). Note that certain configurations allow the fingers to be either spread [+S] or unspread [-S]. These special combinations are reported in the table as well.

Table: Finger configuration

In the remainder of this section relevant minimal pairs are reported to show how different finger configurations (flat open, flat closed, curved open, curved closed, closed, and finger spreading) can create minimal contrasts in LIS signs.

The flat open configuration is contrastive in the near-minimal pair formula_one - chess (extended 3 vs. flat open 3, with a slight difference in orientation).

a. formula_one (extended 3)

b. chess (flat open 3)

However, it should be noted that flat open L, flat open 3, and flat open 5 are selected by a limited number of signs, typically lexicalized signs derived from classifier constructions (PHONOLOGY 1.1.3).

The flat closed configuration is phonologically contrastive in the minimal pair may - unemployed (extended 5 vs. flat closed F).

a. may (extended 5)

b. unemployed (flat closed 5)

Flat closed L and flat closed 3 are handshapes used in a limited number of signs, most of which are probably derived by handling classifiers (PHONOLOGY 1.1.3).

The curved open configuration is phonologically contrastive in the minimal pair gesture - confusion (extended 5 vs. curved open 5).