A Response to The "Any" Symbols, part 2

A Response to The "Any" Symbols, part 2
Submitted by Lucy Venable – April 30, 2003

These are some thoughts and questions having to do with the "any" discussion.

First, I worry that in spite of the fact that we have not defined Ex. 1a and 1b very clearly within the Laban notation system, we continue to add to its usages.

Second, since we already understand 1c to mean a spring, doesn't that mean any of the five springs? The symbol seems clear. Once we add another symbol to "confirm" the meaning we need to state what the symbol will mean without the addition.

If parts of 1c are connected then it is specific. Visually that is very clear if drawn properly (the jump from two to two should be connected in the discussion paper, I think) and we can look at the symbols as specific and non specific.

The paper has dealt with an appropriate action for any change of support (2a) but not with any action of any kind with any change of support (2b) which brings up the question of whether in any case the "any" shouldn't go on the support symbol rather than the action symbol (2c and 2d).

Example 3a means any rotation (or a rotation?) There is room to add the wiggly line, but is it necessary? What will it mean without it? I ask the same question for off balance and a fall. They seem to say already a/any fall, a/any off balance.

Is there a difference in meaning between 1a and 1b above? I assume they are the same. But what is the difference between putting it on the symbol and beside the symbol or as part of the symbol?:

And this list is not exhaustive. I just suggest that there is more to consider than meets the eye. And I support Peggy in saying that simpler is better, particularly if you are just adding to "make sure" [Peggy Hackney, April 2, 2003, ‘Any’ Sign thread].

I have used Motif at a Glance as my reference for the meaning of symbols.