Gathering and Scattering Indications

Gathering and Scattering Indications
Submitted by DNB Staff - November 23, 2004

How can the signs for gathering and scattering be augmented to include a full spectrum of symbols, including generic indications and various body portion involvement?

Established scattering and gathering symbols (Ann Hutchinson Guest, Your Move: A New Approach to the Study of Movement and Dance, 1983, p. 177) are shown below:

Ex. 1a) Scattering on the right side of the body.
Ex. 1b) Scattering on the left side of the body.
Ex. 1c) Scattering on both sides of the body.
Ex. 1d) Scattering on either side of the body.
Ex. 1e) Gathering on the right side of the body.
Ex. 1f) Gathering on the left side of the body.
Ex. 1g) Gathering on both sides of the body
Ex. 1h) Gathering on either side of the body.

Following is a proposal that includes a more complete paradigm, including generic indications and signs for scattering (gathering) on "either or both" sides. For information on the pre-signs in 2e,f, k, l see the Body Portions thread, July 16, 2002.

Ex. 2a) Unspecified scattering
Ex. 2b) Scattering on the right side of the body.
Ex. 2c) Scattering on the left side of the body.
Ex. 2d) Scattering on both sides of the body.
Ex. 2e) Scattering on either side of the body.
Ex. 2f) Scattering on either or both sides of the body.
Ex. 2g) Unspecified gathering.
Ex. 2h) Gathering on the right side of the body.
Ex. 2i) Gathering on the left side of the body.
Ex. 2j) Gathering on both sides of the body.
Ex. 2k) Gathering on either side of the body.
Ex. 2l) Gathering on either or both sides of the body.

Here's another proposal.

Ex. 3a) Unspecified scattering.
Ex. 3b) Scattering on the right side of the body.
Ex. 3c) Scattering on the left side of the body.
Ex. 3d) Scattering on both sides of the body.
Ex. 3e) Scattering on either side of the body.
Ex. 3f) Scattering on either or both sides of the body.
Ex. 3g) Unspecified gathering.
Ex. 3h) Gathering on the right side of the body.
Ex. 3i) Gathering on the left side of the body.
Ex. 3j) Gathering on both sides of the body.
Ex. 3k) Gathering on either side of the body.
Ex. 3l) Gathering on either or both sides of the body.

Perhaps it would also be useful to have indications for "either scattering or gathering."

Here is one idea:

Ex. 4a) Unspecified scattering or gathering (a composite indication that contains scattering and gathering signs and an ad lib. sign).
Ex. 4b) Scattering or gathering on the right side of the body (the tick is needed so the sign will not be mistaken for a curved bow).
Ex. 4c) Scattering or gathering on the left side of the body.
Ex. 4d) Scattering or gathering on both sides of the body.
Ex. 4e) Scattering or gathering on either side of the body.
Ex. 4f) Scattering or gathering on either or both sides of the body.

Here is another idea:

Ex. 5a) Unspecified scattering or gathering (derived from overlapping composite scattering/gather signs).
Ex. 5b) Scattering or gathering on the left side of the body (comprised of the left side of example 5a).
Ex. 5c) Scattering or gathering on the right side of the body (comprised of the right side of example 5a).
Ex. 5d) Scattering or gathering on both sides of the body.
Ex. 5e) Scattering or gathering on either side of the body.
Ex. 5f) Scattering or gathering on either or both sides of the body.