Western Cape 02 is an initialised sign with the handshape W followed by C. There is noticeable phonological variation in terms of movement for the different variants, with a movement to the side being the most common.
Upington 05 is a descriptive sign with the handshape C placed against the shoulder. We were unable to determine the meaning for this sign. However, the handshape could possibly refer to the previous number plate for Upington, which started with CAY.
Upington 04 is a descriptive place-name sign that mimics the sign for BEARD. When the sign is flipped upside down, the shape could be a reference to the mountain passes in the Northern Cape province where Upington is situated.
Thiboloha 01 is an initialised sign with the handshape T and added side-to-side wrist movement. The mouthing of ‘Thiboloha’ differentiates this variant from other similar signs, such as Thaba ‘Nchu 01.
Thaba ‘Nchu 01 is an initialised sign with the handshape T and added side-to-side wrist movement. The mouthing of ‘Thaba ‘Nchu’ differentiates this variant from other similar signs, such as Thiboloha 01.
St. Thomas 02 is an initialised sign with the handshape K in the Irish Sign Language alphabet. The movement that is done next to the head is similar to the SASL sign for learning or gaining knowledge. The mouthing of ‘St. Thomas’ differentiates it from similar signs such as Sonitus 01.
St. Thomas 01 is an initialised sign. The base handshapes for the sign are S followed by T. Over time, the sign has evolved, and additional movement has been added to make the production of the sign easier, without additional meaning. This variant is a lexical variation from St. Thomas 01.
Soweto 01 is a descriptive place-name sign that is similar to the signs for SUN or FLASHING LIGHT. We are unable to determine the origins of this variant, but it could possibly refer to the Sesotho nickname for Gauteng, the province is which Soweto is situated. ‘Maboneng’ means ‘place of lights’.
Location: Township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in the Gauteng province; adjoins Johannesburg. South Africa’s largest Black urban complex.
South Africa 01 is an initialised-descriptive sign with a handshape S that moves in a southward direction (‘South’). The sign for AFRICA is then added - a semicircle movement that mimics the rounding at the top of the continent.
Sonitus 01 is a descriptive sign with the handshape K in the Irish Sign Language alphabet. The movement that is done next to the head is similar to the SASL sign for learning or gaining knowledge. The mouthing of ‘Sonitus’ differentiates it from similar signs such as St. Thomas 02.
Re Thlamaleng 01 is an initialised sign with the handshape R and added side-so-side wrist movement. The mouthing of ‘Re Thlamaleng’ distinguishes this variant from other similar signs and identifies it as a place-name sign.
QwaQwa 02 is initialised with Q in the British Sign Language alphabet. The dominant hand is in the SASL handshape X and moves in a down and up motion to the non-dominant hand which is in the SASL handshape F. The F handshape makes it a phonological variation from QwaQwa 02, and could possibly be a spelling error.
QwaQwa 01 is initialised with Q in the British Sign Language alphabet. The dominant hand is in the SASL handshape X and moves in a down and up motion to the non-dominant hand which is in the SASL handshape O. The O handshape makes it a phonological variation from QwaQwa 02.
