For the definition of the orientation of the manual articulators, the direction of the fingers and the orientation of the palm are essential. Reference coordinates are the torso (towards the torso/away from the torso) and the signing space (top/bottom, left/right). One example of a sign pair with a minimal distinction in the orientation is pedagogy – typical. Both signs are articulated with the I-hand in the neutral signing space and a reduplicated forward movement.
pedagogy – typical
Further examples of minimal pairs concerning orientation are:
a. month – one_hundred
b. bicycle – machine