Basic components

1. Introduction
2. Manual components
         a) Configuration
         b) Place
                  b.1) Neutral space
                  b.2) Around the head
                  b.3) In contact with the body
         c) Movement
         d) Orientation
3. Non-manual components
         a) Facial expression
         b) Torso movement
         c) Head position and/or movement
         d) Mouth gesture
                   d.1) Imitative
                   d.2) Compulsory component
                   d.3) Optional component
                          (modifier)
         e) Mouthing
                  

Let us analyze the sign for "saturday" as a case in point. The shape the hand adopts is the fist, and the place in which the sign is articulated is the cheek. The movement the hand carries out is on the cheek and it is repeated twice. The palm orientation is to the left, and at the same time the hand executes the sign, the mouth carries out the "saba" gesture.

The basic components of the "saturday" sign are, thus, configuration, movement, place of articulation, orientation and spoken component. The first four are manual components and the last is the non-manual component.