Recombinant features for the movements of American Sign Language

Kathryn Lynn Hansen, Purdue University

Abstract

Recombinant distinctive features are economical to phonological systems, yet the movement portion of American Sign Language (ASL) has not yet been analyzed with such features. Such an analysis would require movements to be considered as contrastive segments or units along the syntagmatic axis, in contradistinction to non-movement segments or units. Few models of ASL phonology have conceptualized movements in this way. To broaden the perspective of sign language phonology, this study analyzes the movements of ASL with the procedures of the phonemic method, which allows identification of contrastive segments along the syntagmatic axis. Oppositions among these segments then show dimensions of contrast, which, in turn, reveal the distinctive features. This analysis shows the movement segments to contrast according to Type of Movement, which consists of the Arm and Bipartiteness dimensions; Direction of Movement, resulting from the Compactness and Extension dimensions; Shape; Contact; and Handedness, which refers to one versus two hands moving. Features along these dimensions recombine to form the various contrastive movements. Phonemic statements have been written for the movement types, listing allophonic variations with their conditioning environments. This feature system clarifies certain movement behaviors that have, until now, been unaccounted for and is a step toward uniting signed and spoken language phonologies.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Anderson, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Linguistics

COinS