Spatial Visualization Descriptions and Distance
October 2, 2025•165 words
- Start with the general, big picture, then move down towards smaller, more precise details
- Directions are based on the signer's perspective. Can be confusing at first. If you have difficulty:
- Imagine the signer is taking you on a tour, but you are facing them and walking backwards, always facing the signer
- Don't think in terms of "right" or "left", rather the direction the signer is signing or pointing
- Signer should use directional eye gaze to indicate location, direction, and distance
Distance NMMs
| VERY CLOSE | MEDIUM DISTANCE | FAR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mouth Morpheme | OO or CS | MM (pursed lips) | AH |
| Eyes | Squinted | Neutral | Wide |
- Signer: describe from your perspective
- Listener: adopt signer's perspective
- Signer: start general and add details
- Signer: Establish a reference point (like the front door)
- Signer: Use eye gaze and NMMs