Chapter 4. Constructing sentences
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Virginia Volterra
Abstract
In this chapter, the modifications of meaning units are described. Patterns characterizing the various signs modifications along a continuum ranging from the semantic to the pragmatic dimension are illustrated. Signers modify and create linguistic relations among signs by using their hands as well as their entire bodies to point at, to describe or to depict the referent. Consequently, the construction of discourse and conversation in LIS are described, taking into consideration their articulatory, cognitive, and semantic-pragmatic constraints of a sociolinguistic nature.
Abstract
In this chapter, the modifications of meaning units are described. Patterns characterizing the various signs modifications along a continuum ranging from the semantic to the pragmatic dimension are illustrated. Signers modify and create linguistic relations among signs by using their hands as well as their entire bodies to point at, to describe or to depict the referent. Consequently, the construction of discourse and conversation in LIS are described, taking into consideration their articulatory, cognitive, and semantic-pragmatic constraints of a sociolinguistic nature.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- From spoken to signed languages back and forth, between cognition and semiotics 1
- Chapter 1. Historical steps towards a new description of sign languages 7
- Chapter 2. The community 35
- Chapter 3. The basic units of LIS 63
- Chapter 4. Constructing sentences 101
- Chapter 5. Variation and change in LIS 133
- Chapter 6. Sign languages and spoken languages 165
- References 191
- Index 217
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- From spoken to signed languages back and forth, between cognition and semiotics 1
- Chapter 1. Historical steps towards a new description of sign languages 7
- Chapter 2. The community 35
- Chapter 3. The basic units of LIS 63
- Chapter 4. Constructing sentences 101
- Chapter 5. Variation and change in LIS 133
- Chapter 6. Sign languages and spoken languages 165
- References 191
- Index 217
