2.1.2.4. Classifier handshape
The relevance of classifier handshape for clause structure in LIS is twofold. First, it can encode agreement with the direct object of a transitive and ditransitive predicate or with the subject of an intransitive predicate by representing some visually salient property of the argument (SYNTAX 2.1.2.3.1). Second, it is able to determine the argument structure of a predicate according to the following specification (SYNTAX 2.1.1.5): i) classifiers with a handling hand configuration select for transitive predicates, ii) classifiers with an entity hand configuration select for intransitive unaccusative predicates, and iii) classifiers with a bodypart hand configuration select for intransive unergative predicates. In this respect, by morphologically marking the thematic role of arguments, LIS seems to behave as ergative languages.
