In Stokoe notation, what does TABULA (TAB) specify?

In Stokoe notation, what does TABULA (TAB) specify?

• A. Location
• B. Movement
• C. Handshape
• D. Sign

Answer: (A)

TABULA is the part of Stokoe notation that tells you where on the body the sign is produced. In Stokoe’s system a sign is described by three elements: location (TABULA), handshape (signum), and movement (modus). So TABULA specifies the place of articulation—forehead, chin, chest, etc.—and not the handshape or how the hand moves. The other components take care of how the hand is shaped and how it travels, so movement is captured by the Modus element and the handshape by the Signum element. Because TABULA is about location, that’s why it’s the correct choice.

TABULA is the part of Stokoe notation that tells you where on the body the sign is produced. In Stokoe’s system a sign is described by three elements: location (TABULA), handshape (signum), and movement (modus). So TABULA specifies the place of articulation—forehead, chin, chest, etc.—and not the handshape or how the hand moves. The other components take care of how the hand is shaped and how it travels, so movement is captured by the Modus element and the handshape by the Signum element. Because TABULA is about location, that’s why it’s the correct choice.