EL

Section 11_12

Overview of ASL Linguistics

  • Section title: Ling200 AA/AD ASL Signed Language Linguistics

Instructor Experience

  • Instructor's background in ASL:

    • No formal studies or extensive research in ASL.

    • Completed a course in linguistics of sign languages during MA.

    • Encourages students interested in ASL to enroll in future courses.

Modality of Languages

  • Fill in the blank: Signed languages use a visual-gestural modality, whereas spoken languages use an auditory-vocal modality.

    • Highlights the primary difference in communication methods between signed and spoken languages.

  • Note: Signed languages share similarities with spoken languages in structure and use.

Characteristics of Signed Languages

  • Q: Signed languages are not purely __________; instead, they exhibit:

    • Hockett's design feature of arbitrariness - a random mapping from form to meaning.

  • Notably, signed languages utilize parameters, not purely iconic signs.

Deaf Children and Parents

  • Most children who are born deaf are born to hearing parents.

Parameters of Signed Languages

  • Fill in the blank: Signed languages exhibit 5 discrete units of signs, called parameters.

    • These parameters include:

      • Handshape: Physical shape of the hands during a sign (number of fingers, hand position).

      • Location: Where in the signing space a sign is produced (relative to the signer’s body).

      • Movement: Type of movement involved in a sign’s production (direction, rotation).

      • Palm orientation: Orientation of the palm(s) used when producing a sign.

      • Non-manual expressions: Additional features like facial expressions that complement signs.

Phonology of Sign Languages

  • Different types of phonological processes in signed languages:

    • Deletion: Removal of parameters in a sign.

    • Epenthesis: Insertion of parameters onto a sign.

    • Assimilation: Two sign parameters becoming similar.

    • Dissimilation: Parameters becoming less alike.

    • Metathesis: Changing order of parameters.

    • Centralization: Signs adjust to become more centralized with respect to the body.

    • Fusion, fluidity, compensatory lengthening: Additional processes that may occur in conjunction with others.

Phonotactic Constraints

  • Constraints in signed languages that restrict possible signs and parameters:

    • Disallowed handshapes.

    • Symmetry condition: Rules regarding hand movements and shapes in signs.

Morphology of Sign Languages

  • Both free and bound morphemes are present in signed languages, including:

    • Derivational processes:

      • Reduplication for verb-to-noun changes.

      • Reversal-of-orientation for negation.

      • Conversion from noun to verb.

      • Compounding: Combining independent signs.

      • Numerical incorporation: Integrating numbers into signs.

Syntax of Sign Languages

  • Key aspects of signed language syntax:

    • Use of physical space to indicate grammatical roles (subject, object, etc.).

    • Topic-comment structure: Flexible word order where the topic is discussed followed by a comment on it.

    • Wh-movement generally occurring at the end of a phrase.

Study Reminders

  • Quiz 6: Covers ASL linguistics: phonetic parameters, phonology, phonotactic constraints, morphology, syntax.

  • Homework 4: On ASL/linguistics and theories of language acquisition.

New Vocabulary

  • Old Hands: Reference to prior learning or knowledge in ASL.

  • Observations on the evolution of ASL signs among learners.