The Sequel
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a new sign language variant expanding on my original Galactic Basic Sign Language submission - and provide a second language for my character to use in RP
- Image Credit:
- Banner image: Sign Language Wookieepedia
- Second image: Sign Language Wookieepedia
- Third image: Tusken Sign Language Wookieepedia
- Links:
- Media Name: Outer Rim Sign Language, commonly abbreviated to ORSL
- Format: Language
- Distribution: Common - Very common in the Outer Rim for communicating with sentient species who do not communicate aloud, cannot produce Basic syllables, or do not speak Basic, and as a trade language, such as the Anomids. Less common in the Inner Rim and Core regions, where Galactic Basic Sign Language is the default, but it is still widespread.
- Length: Recurring - An incalculable number of signs with infinite quirks, small differences in meaning, and adaptive methods of communication depending on the user's culture and physiology, and knowledge of other languages.
SOCIAL INFORMATION
- Author: None - ORSL is a natural language that evolved out of necessity. It has no single creator and is highly varied based on age, location, species, and culture.
- Publisher: None - Some unofficial translation books do exist which attempt to translate individual signs into concepts or Basic words, but as it is a natural and varied language, there is no official single source of truth for ORSL.
- Reception: ORSL is viewed as a vital language for crossing the communication gap between speaking and non-speaking sentients. In the Outer Rim, it replaces Galactic Basic Sign Language as a common second language and trade language for spacers and merchants across the regions varied cultures.
CONTENT INFORMATION
- Syntax - While varied, ORSL often. uses a time-topic-comment structure, where the time (if applicable) is referred to, then the subject of the sentence, then the comment on the information. e.g. in a written language, this might be expressed like 'Yesterday, Bespin I go to'
- Finger-spelling - When communicating in ORSL, lexical gaps or concepts unique to certain languages can be overcome using a series of finger (or other appendage, in the case of some species like Twi'leks) alphabets. With finger-spelling, proper nouns or specific words can be spelled out with signs representing singular letters. This is typically used in conjunction with regular ORSL signs, especially between multilingual people.
- Tactile signs - Some variants of ORSL forego the visual and spatial elements of signs and instead use physical touch to communicate signs. For example, one person may place their hands in the other's to feel the signs being made.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
ORSL is a natural language that developed over time, necessitated by the development of interconnected communities across the Galaxy requiring a fairly-consistent sign language for general communication and particularly trade. Because of this, ORSL formed from elements of several prominent sign languages in the region. As a result it developed quirks such as overlapping and regionally varied signs, adaptations for different species, and numerous fingerspelling alphabets. It is likely as old as hyperspace trave itselfl and has thousands of different variants and dialects. Skilled and fluent speakers are aware of these differences, and can adjust their signs to overcome any communication barriers. In the present Galaxy, roughly 10-15% of Outer Rim residents are fluent in ORSL, with a much smaller proportion of fluent speakers further closer to the Core.
