Modality differences in sign language phonology and morphophonemics

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511486777.003

2 - Modality differences in sign language phonology and morphophonemics

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 September 2009

Edited by

Kearsy Cormier and

Diane Brentari: Affiliation:
Professor and Director of the American Sign Language Program Purdue University
Richard P. Meier: Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
Kearsy Cormier: Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
David Quinto-Pozos: Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin

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Summary

Introduction

In this chapter it is taken as given that phonology is the level of grammatical analysis where primitive structural units without meaning are combined to create an infinite number of meaningful utterances. It is the level of grammar that has a direct link with the articulatory and perceptual phonetic systems, either visual–gestural or auditory–vocal. There has been work on sign language phonology for about 40 years now, and at the beginning of just about every piece on the topic there is some statement like the following:

The goal is, then, to propose a model of ASL [American Sign Language] grammar at a level that is clearly constrained by both the physiology and by the grammatical rules. To the extent that this enterprise is successful, it will enable us to closely compare the structures of spoken and signed languages and begin to address the broader questions of language universals …

(Sandler 1989: vi)

The goal of this chapter is to articulate some of the differences between the phonology of signed and spoken languages that have been brought to light in the last 40 years and to illuminate the role that the physiological bases have in defining abstract units, such as the segment, syllable, and word. There are some who hold a view that sign languages are just like spoken languages except for the substance of the features (Perlmutter 1992).

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Type: Chapter
Information: Modality and Structure in Signed and Spoken Languages , pp. 35 - 64

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511486777.003 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2002

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