The Phonology of Signed Languages
Sign languages are visual-gestural languages that use a combination of handshapes, facial expressions, and body postures to convey meaning. They are fully-fledged, natural languages that develop in communities of Deaf and hard of hearing people all around the world. Sign languages have their own grammar, syntax, and phonology, which differ from the spoken languages of the regions where they are used.
In this article, we will explore the phonology of signed languages, focusing on the basic features that allow signers to distinguish between different signs and convey a wide range of meanings.
Handshape
One of the most fundamental aspects of sign language phonology is handshape. Every sign is produced with a specific hand configuration or shape, which serves to differentiate it from other signs. For example, the sign for "teacher" might be produced with the "T" handshape, while the sign for "student" might be produced with the "S" handshape. Handshapes can be simple or complex, and they can involve one or both hands.
In addition to the basic handshapes, sign languages often use a variety of modifications or variations to create additional handshapes. For example, a modified "C" handshape might be used for the sign "church," while a modified "L" handshape might be used for the sign "language."
Orientation
Another key feature of sign language phonology is orientation, which refers to the direction in which the palm is facing when signing a particular word or phrase. Orientation can be forward-facing, backward-facing, or sideways-facing, and it can also involve rotation of the wrist.
Orientation is particularly important in distinguishing signs that use similar handshapes. For example, the signs for "father" and "mother" may look very similar in terms of their handshape, but they differ in orientation - the sign for "father" involves a forward-facing hand, while the sign for "mother" involves a sideways-facing hand.
Location
In addition to handshape and orientation, sign languages also use location as a key component of their phonology. Location refers to where the sign is produced in relation to the signer’s body or surrounding space. Signs can be produced near the head, face, chest, or elsewhere in the signing space.
Location can also be used to create spatial relationships between signs. For example, a sign might be produced at one location to represent a person, object, or concept, and then moved to another location to show relationships between those elements.
Movement
Finally, movement is a crucial aspect of sign language phonology. Movement refers to the motion of the hands and body when producing signs, and it can vary in speed, direction, and duration.
Movement can be used to differentiate signs that use similar handshapes, orientations, and locations. For example, the signs for "eat" and "drink" may use the same handshape and orientation, but they differ in movement - "eat" involves a repeated motion toward the mouth, while "drink" involves a single motion toward the mouth.
Conclusion
The phonology of signed languages is a complex and fascinating area of study, and we have only scratched the surface in this article. By understanding the key features of sign language phonology - handshape, orientation, location, and movement - we can gain a deeper appreciation for the linguistic richness and diversity of the Deaf community.