A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS)

The argument structure of a predicate can also be modified through reflexivity (LEXICON 3.7.4). When a predicate expresses reflexivity, the two arguments of the same predicate are coreferent.

         LIS expresses reflexivity through the realisation of the verb on the body of the signer, regardless of the person feature (third person in (a), first person in (b) and (c)) and of the verb class, plain verbs (a) and agreeing verbs (b), (c).

 

 

 

         a.            pietro_a ix_a wash

         ‘Pietro washes himself.’

 

 

 

         b.            pietro_a akill₁

         ‘Pietro killed himself.’

 

 

 

         c.            university course++ many. ix₁ ask++₁ ix₁ fit which

         ‘There are many courses at university. I keep asking myself which is more fitting (for me).’

 

Another way to express reflexivity is through the use of reflexive pronouns (LEXICON 3.7.4). Two types of reflexive pronouns are available: i) the pronoun ix_person directed toward the locus in space associated with the referent involved in the reflexive predicate (a) and ii) a reflexive pronoun articulated on the signer’s chest (b).

 

 

 

         a.            woman ix_a paint ix_3a_person

         ‘The woman is painting herself.’

 

 

 

         b.            ix_a woman paint self

         ‘The woman is painting herself.’