A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS)

LIS displays modals meaning ability (be_able), permission (can), obligation/necessity (must), and intention/volition (want) expressing the speaker’s attitude towards the necessity or possibility of an act or event (LEXICON 3.3.3.1 and MORPHOLOGY 3.4.1). The natural position of modal signs in LIS is after the verb, as shown in the example (a) for can, (b) for must, (c) for want, and (d) for be_able.

 

 

 

         a.            daniele university attend can

         ‘Daniele can attend university.’

 

 

 

         b.            tomorrow ix₁ police go must

         ‘Tomorrow I must go to the police.’

 

 

 

         c.            evening ix₁ pizza eat want

         ‘Tonight I want to eat a pizza.’

 

 

 

         d.            child ski be_able

         ‘The child is able to ski.’

 

We should point out that, while the post-verbal position of the modals can and be_able is more rigid, the modals must and want can alternatively be produced before the verb, as shown in the examples below.

 

 

 

         a.            evening history ix₁ must study

         ‘I must study history tonight.’

 

 

 

         b.            young_b woman dress white ix_a want _abuy_b

         ‘The girl wants to buy a white dress.’