This is where the sign is started. There is also the concept of of ``neutral space'' -- an area of space where it does not matter where a sign is made. This area extends in a half-ellipsoid in front of a person's chest (see figure 2.5). Outside the neutral space, location becomes significant, and there are a number of signs whose main difference is their location.
Figure 2.5: The neutral space for signs. Exact
location is not important within this area.
A secondary aspect of location is the way that in double-handed and two-handed signs the hands come in to contact.