Don't be afraid to just spell shadow.
In low-context you can just spell "shadow." Many Deaf just spell "shadow."
It has been my experience that the concept of shadow (if we are talking about a
darkened area of blocked light) the sign DARK is used quite a bit.
DARK + context and possibly a mouth movement (optional).
Note that there are two versions of the main sign for DARK (one version uses flat hands the other uses 5-hands that change to somewhat flattened-CLAW hands.
DARK + size and shape specifier (classifier) depiction
DARK + AREA (using an open-5 hand)
DARK + SHAPE (using "A" hands)
BLACK + AREA Make sure you have plenty of context before using BLACK + AREA as shadow. I can't recall the last time I ever signed BLACK+AREA to mean shadow. It feels awkward to me.
And (interestingly)
DARK + "ray cast / beam" (one-handed spread sign)
I think that DARK + "ray cast" is a fascinating version of shadow because it uses the "BEAM" portion of a sign like SUN+BEAM and instead signs DARK+BEAM to mean "shadow" and show how and where the shadow is being "cast. The DARK + CAST sign is used rather often by highly skilled signers when discussing shadows.
Also, please keep in mind that "shadow" is a multi-meaning word or sign.
In the Deaf community we often use the term "shadow" in the sense of:
"shadow interpret" which we sign using MENTOR INTERPRET or
FOLLOW INTERPRET (using Index fingers instead of open-A hands).
"eye-shadow" = do a quick mime-like depiction of putting on eye shadow -- or sign EYE and spell "shadow."
Notes:
If you are going to sign BLACK + AREA you might want to review and compare:
BLACK vs SUMMER
index-old.htm
matrix-for-sign-pages (_matrix.htm)
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