Grammaticalization of Head Shakes in American Sign Language
Description
This presentation seeks to explain the process through which the non-manual head shake sign was grammaticalized in American Sign Language. The head shake began as a co-speech gesture and ended as a non-manual sign that can indicate negation by itself. Evidence is presented to show that the grammaticalization process follows the Jespersen’s Cycle and uses metaphorical extension and generalization as processes.
Document Type
Event
Department
Linguistics
Genre/Form
student projects; streaming video
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Sign language--Grammaticalization; Sign language--Syntax; Gesture
Type
MovingImage
Keywords
grammaticalization, American Sign Language, ASL, head shake, negation, Jespersen’s Cycle, metaphorical extension, generalization
Rights
Copying of this presentation in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this presentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
video/mp4
Grammaticalization of Head Shakes in American Sign Language
This presentation seeks to explain the process through which the non-manual head shake sign was grammaticalized in American Sign Language. The head shake began as a co-speech gesture and ended as a non-manual sign that can indicate negation by itself. Evidence is presented to show that the grammaticalization process follows the Jespersen’s Cycle and uses metaphorical extension and generalization as processes.
Comments
This presentation was part of the Linguistics Program at the Scholars Week 2017 Symposium, held on Wednesday, May 17 at 4:00 p.m. in Bond Hall 217 at Western Washington University.