#discussion question: do you think somatics are primarily about handshape movement or placement?

[hello-eeveev]

I met another interpreter who likes D&D last week, and it got me thinking about signing spellcasters again. So hi! Have you ever considered the interplay between sign language and spellcasting components? The fact that many spells in D&D require verbal and somatic components creates some fun linguistic puzzles and opportunities for creative language use if a caster’s primary language is a sign language. Like:

- A Deaf spellcaster who signs the verbal components with one hand and simultaneously forms the somatic components with the other in an impressive display of dexterity as well as magical and linguistic mastery.

- A Deaf spellcaster who incorporates the the somatics for a spell into their signing (a la ASL number stories/ABC stories). They turn signs into somatics and somatics into signs. Each spell they cast is thought out, carefully crafted, and uniquely theirs.

I just. I love ASL I love mages I love it when people get creative with language, the special interests go brrrrrrr