A Segmental Framework for Representing Signs Phonetically

The arguments for dividing the signing stream in signed languages into sequences of phonetic segments are compelling. The visual records of instances of actually occurring signs provide evidence of two basic types of segments: postural segments and trans-forming segments. Postural segments specify a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sign language studies 2011-04, Vol.11 (3), p.408-463
Main Authors: JOHNSON, ROBERT E., LIDDELL, SCOTT K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
American Sign Language
Ballistics
Change
Distinctive Features (Language)
Fingers
Gestures
Hands
Human Posture
Linguistics
Motor Reactions
Phonetic analysis
Phonetic notation
Phonetics
Phonology
Sign language
Sign languages
Space
Symbolism
Theory
Travel
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Description
Summary:The arguments for dividing the signing stream in signed languages into sequences of phonetic segments are compelling. The visual records of instances of actually occurring signs provide evidence of two basic types of segments: postural segments and trans-forming segments. Postural segments specify an alignment of articulatory features, both manual and nonmanual. In contrast, during trans-forming segments at least some of the articulatory features are changing. Both types of segment are divisible into subcategories based on descriptive details of duration and nature of muscular activity. Features that describe the finer details of the manner in which a trans-forming change is accomplished argue for the specification of trans-forming segments as a part of the phonetic record. We conclude that an adequate phonetic representation of signs must account for both postural and transforming segments.
ISSN:0302-1475
1533-6263
1533-6263
DOI:10.1353/sls.2011.0002