Phonological processes in complex word formation in Shanghai Sign Language
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Shengyun Gu
Abstract
This study investigated phonological processes in complex word formation through the lens of Shanghai Sign Language (SHSL), the southern variety of Chinese Sign Language. Concatenative and nonconcatenative morphology were used for the search of complex word formations in this language. In the concatenative morphology, I analyzed compounding and affixation, both undergoing phonological restructurings by means of assimilation and deletion, exhibiting a strong tendency towards a monosyllabic unit. In the nonconcatenative morphology, I examined initialization and numeral incorporation, both of which are realized by handshape substitution. Despite the regularity of phonological processes in complex word formation, some exceptional instances were identified on number signs, iconic signs, and character signs. The former one is not uncommon among languages, and the latter two are more prevalent in sign languages. Some number signs exhibit idiosyncratic variations that are not predictable by the phonological restructuring rules in word formation. Signs that contain a highly iconic handshape resist numeral incorporation and therefore block handshape substitution. Finally, some character signs were found to resist numeral incorporation. The non-conformity to phonological rules in a character sign offers a unique dimension to examine the relationships between orthography, iconicity, and phonology in sign language.
Abstract
This study investigated phonological processes in complex word formation through the lens of Shanghai Sign Language (SHSL), the southern variety of Chinese Sign Language. Concatenative and nonconcatenative morphology were used for the search of complex word formations in this language. In the concatenative morphology, I analyzed compounding and affixation, both undergoing phonological restructurings by means of assimilation and deletion, exhibiting a strong tendency towards a monosyllabic unit. In the nonconcatenative morphology, I examined initialization and numeral incorporation, both of which are realized by handshape substitution. Despite the regularity of phonological processes in complex word formation, some exceptional instances were identified on number signs, iconic signs, and character signs. The former one is not uncommon among languages, and the latter two are more prevalent in sign languages. Some number signs exhibit idiosyncratic variations that are not predictable by the phonological restructuring rules in word formation. Signs that contain a highly iconic handshape resist numeral incorporation and therefore block handshape substitution. Finally, some character signs were found to resist numeral incorporation. The non-conformity to phonological rules in a character sign offers a unique dimension to examine the relationships between orthography, iconicity, and phonology in sign language.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction 1
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Part 1: Manuals: Numerals, classifiers, modal verbs
- Historical relationships between numeral signs in Japanese Sign Language, South Korean Sign Language and Taiwan Sign Language 5
- Phonological processes in complex word formation in Shanghai Sign Language 37
- Classifiers and gender in Korean Sign Language 71
- Causative alternation in Tianjin Sign Language 101
- Epistemic modal verbs and negation in Japanese Sign Language 137
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Part 2: Non-manuals and space
- The Korean Sign Language (KSL) corpus and its first application on a study about mouth actions 169
- Negative polar questions in Hong Kong Sign Language 203
- Analyzing head nod expressions by L2 learners of Japanese Sign Language: A comparison with native Japanese Sign Language signers 241
- Composite utterances in Taiwan Sign Language 263
- Time and timelines in Tibetan Sign Language (TSL) interactions in Lhasa 311
- Index 347
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction 1
-
Part 1: Manuals: Numerals, classifiers, modal verbs
- Historical relationships between numeral signs in Japanese Sign Language, South Korean Sign Language and Taiwan Sign Language 5
- Phonological processes in complex word formation in Shanghai Sign Language 37
- Classifiers and gender in Korean Sign Language 71
- Causative alternation in Tianjin Sign Language 101
- Epistemic modal verbs and negation in Japanese Sign Language 137
-
Part 2: Non-manuals and space
- The Korean Sign Language (KSL) corpus and its first application on a study about mouth actions 169
- Negative polar questions in Hong Kong Sign Language 203
- Analyzing head nod expressions by L2 learners of Japanese Sign Language: A comparison with native Japanese Sign Language signers 241
- Composite utterances in Taiwan Sign Language 263
- Time and timelines in Tibetan Sign Language (TSL) interactions in Lhasa 311
- Index 347
