Grammar, Gesture, and Meaning in American Sign Language

by Scott K. Liddell

• ISBN13: 9780521016506
• ISBN10: 0521016509
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780511058837
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-24
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

In sign languages of the deaf some signs can meaningfully point toward things or can be meaningfully placed in the space ahead of the signer. This obligatory part of fluent grammatical signing has no parallel in vocally produced languages. This book focuses on American Sign Language to examine the grammatical and conceptual purposes served by these directional signs. It guides the reader through ASL grammar, the different categories of directional signs, the types of spatial representations signs are directed toward, how such spatial conceptions can be represented in mental space theory, and the conceptual purposes served by these signs. The book demonstrates a remarkable integration of grammar and gesture in the service of constructing meaning. These results also suggest that our concept of 'language' has been much too narrow and that a more comprehensive look at vocally produced languages will reveal the same integration of gestural, gradient, and symbolic elements.

Table of Contents

Preface	viii
Acknowledgments	xiii
American Sign Language as a language	1	(5)
A sketch of the grammar of ASL	6	(60)
Pronouns and real space	66	(31)
Indicating verbs and real space	97	(44)
Surrogates	141	(35)
Directing signs at locations and things	176	(14)
Tokens	190	(33)
Buoys	223	(38)
Depicting verbs	261	(56)
Five brothers	317	(38)
Grammar, gesture, and meaning	355	(8)
Appendixes	363	(5)
References	368	(9)
General index	377	(3)
Index of illustrated signs	380