Most introductory CS classes devote some time to the topic of "wh-" words. Students learn that words like "when" may begin with handshape 4 or handshape 6.
Phonemes are all about contrast. These building blocks often have a partner that is produced similarly with one distinguishing feature. For example, /sssssssss/ and /zzzzzzzzz/ are spoken nearly identicually. However, /sssssssss/ is produced without vocal fold vibration (or voicing) and /zzzzzzzzz/ is produced with vibration. This distinction is important for making different words. The distinction between /sssssssss/ and /zzzzzzzzz/ allows us to recognize the difference between the words sip and zip or niece and knees.
For some cuers of English, this distinction is also important in the case of /wwwwwwwww/ and /ʍhwhwʍhwhwʍhwhw/. For them, these two phonemes serve as a point of contrast that build uniquely recognizable words like wine and whine. For them, this distinction is as important as the differences between /sssssssss/ and /zzzzzzzzz/ or /kkkkkkkkk/ and /ggggggggg/.
To decide if you should cue this distinction, consider the following paires of words. Are these pairs (e.g., wack and whack) pronounced the same or differently?
| Handshape 6: /wwwwwwwww/ | Handshape 4: /ʍhwhwʍhwhwʍhwhw/ |
| wack | whack |
| wail | whale |
| Wales | whales |
| ware/ wear | where |
| wares/ wears | where's |
| weather | whether |
| way/ weigh | whey |
| we'll | wheel |
| wet | whet |
| wield | wheeled |
| wig | whig |
| wile | while |
| wine | whine |
| wire | why're |
| wise | why's |
| witch | which |
| wither | whither |
| woe | whoa |
| word | whirred |
| world | whirled |
If so, they should be cued differently. However, these consonants may have lost their distinction as they have for most speakers and cuers of English. In that case, they are homophones and are pronounced the same. For these cuers, the pairs are cued identically. Mostly, both with handshape 6.