SignWriting ListAugust 18, 2013
Question from a private email:
Two years after the Newspaper stopped there was software to type SignWriting, so there existed the Newsletter instead!? Is it still going on?
The last one I found was from spring 1998, when David Gunsauls started writing it.
Is there just one person working an the newsletter? So it is not such a big thing like the newspaper?
Answer from Valerie Sutton:
From 1989 to 1998, there were sporadic publications of the SignWriter Newsletter. Some were printed, and some were only on the SignWriting web site. Here is a history timeline:
1981-1984 - SignWriter Newspaper
1986-1996 - Development of the SignWriter Computer Program
1988 - Deaf Action Committee for SignWriting (DAC) began under the umbrella of the Center for Sutton Movement Writing. The Center raises the funds to help support the DAC's projects. Some DAC projects in the 1980's and 1990's were to write a dictionary in ASL for the SignWriter DOS Computer Program, and to write the SignWriter Newsletter. The DAC also worked on two video series: The Lessons in SignWriting Video Series and the Deaf Perspectives on SignWriting Video Series.
1989 - First SignWriter Newsletter had its first publication typed by computer (not on the web yet) It was printed and distributed very poorly - Only to around 100 people - we did not have the funding to send it to more people.
1989-1998 - The Newsletter was printed occasionally - I need to scan in these old publications and place them on the web -
For example: Deaf Perspectives Video 2:
1996 to present - SignWriting web sites
1996 to present - SignWriting List
1998 to present - SignWriting Literacy Project
The development of the SignWriting Web Site in 1996, and the SignWriting List in 1996 (archives started in 1998), changed everything. There was not as much need for a Newsletter any longer, because we could reach people through email and through the web site. So the last newsletters are on this web page:
SignWriter Newsletters
In time it would be good to scan in the old newsletters and place them on the web, and it would be good to write new newsletters - but I think the ASL Wikipedia Project is the best newsletter we can write! So that is our current project:
ASL Wikipedia Project
Val ;-)

Valerie Sutton
SignWriting List moderator
[log in to unmask]
Post Messages to the SignWriting List:
[log in to unmask]
SignWriting List Archives & Home Page
http://www.signwriting.org/forums/swlist
Join, Leave or Change How You Receive SW List Messages
http://listserv.valenciacollege.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=SW-L&A=1
Valerie Sutton
SignWriting
Read & Write Sign Languages
SignPuddle Online
Write SignWriting in the Clouds!
Documents, Dictionaries, SignMail
ASL Wikipedia Project
Articles in American Sign Language
SignWriting List
Technical Support: Ask questions...
SignWriting Literature Project
Writing Literature in Sign Languages
SignWriting Encyclopedia Projects
Encyclopedias in Sign Languages
SignWriting Sponsors Forum
Help Educational Non-Profit
SignWriting Shop
Books, DVDs, Lessons, Services
Deaf Action Committee For SignWriting
Center For Sutton Movement Writing
a US educational nonprofit organization
PO Box 517, La Jolla, CA, 92038, USA
Tel: 858-456-0098 Skype: valeriesutton
SignWriting on Twitter
http://twitter.com/ASLWikipedia