A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC)

1.1. Core lexicon

The core lexicon of a language is the established lexicon that forms the basic vocabulary, which dictionaries try to store and describe to different extents. In LSC signs belonging to the core lexicon may show different degrees of iconicity depending on their visual motivation and how it is reflected in the sublexical structure [PHONOLOGY 1].

Different classifications can be made for core lexicon signs. For instance, they can be classified regarding their manual articulators. Signs in LSC thus can be divided between one handed or two-handed. Moreover, two-handed signs may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, as shown below (see [PHONOLOGY 1.4.2] for further details).

a)   exam (symmetrical)

b)   experiment (symmetrical with alternating movement)

c)   instructions (asymmetrical)

In symmetrical signs a symmetry condition must be respected, which states that if both hands move independently, then both hands have the same handshape, the same location, the same (or symmetrical) orientation, and the same (or alternating) movement.

In asymmetrical signs, though, it is a dominance constraint the one which applies. This constraint states that if the hands have different handshapes, then one hand articulates the movement while the other is passive and has a handshape that belongs to a restricted set (see [PHONOLOGY 1.4.2] for further details).  

Another way of classifying core lexicon signs is by looking at whether they are simple or compound. Compounds are signs composed by two or more base signs (see [MORPHOLOGY 1] for further details). Below the sign mother is an example of a simple sign that is further found in the compound father^mother to express the meaning ‘parents’.

a)   mother

b)   father^mother (‘parents’)

A last classification that can be taken into account is the level of phonological specification of the core lexical sign. Most of the signs are fully specified, that is display a specific value for all the features in the phonological matrix (handshape, movement, and location). If there is a change in any of these features it is very likely that there is a change of meaning in the sign giving rise to minimal pairs. For instance, the examples below show a minimal pair that differs in their handshape [PHONOLOGY 1.1.1].

different vs. peace

Some signs are incompletely specified. That means that one or more sublexical features do not have a specific value. In LSC, as well as in many other sign languages, agreement verbs do not specify location and orientation, which are specified when the verb agrees with its arguments. In signs that are incompletely specified the citation form includes a default specification, which is the location in neutral signing space associated with a first person, as shown below [LEXICON 3.2].

 inform

The specifications of the different phonological features of core lexical signs are in general arbitrary. Therefore, if a sign is decomposed, each of the parts will be meaningless. However, there are some exceptions that show a higher degree of iconicity that is reflected in one or more of the phonological parameters. For instance, signs articulated in the forehead are related to cognitive activities like shown below [PHONOLOGY 1.2].

a)   think

b)   reflect_on

Signs articulated in the chest are related to emotions, as illustrated below (see [PHONOLOGY 1.2] for further details).

a)   feel

b)   fall_in_love

LSC shows variation at different levels. Some variation is found in signers of different ages. Older signers may use different varieties of signs than younger signers. In the example below, two signs for ‘Italy’ are shown, the first one is the most widespread alternative nowadays, while the second one is only used by some older signers [LEXICON 3.1]. 

a)   italy-1

b)    italy -2

Moreover, some variants are determined by the gender of the signer. The signs shown below differ in their handshape, being the second one mostly used by women [PHONOLOGY 1.1.1].

a)   afternoon-b

 

b)   afternoon-middle

Lastly, variation can also be due to geographical reasons. The sign for ‘strawberry’ may vary in different parts of the Catalan territory (and some close areas). In the examples below different signs for ‘strawberry’ are used depending on the provenance of the signer: Barcelona, Lleida or Fraga. 

a)   strawberry1 (Barcelona)

b)   strawberry2 (Lleida)

c)   strawberry3 (Fraga)

List of editors

Josep Quer and Gemma Barberà

Copyright info

© 2020 Gemma Barberà, Sara Cañas-Peña, Berta Moya-Avilés, Alexandra Navarrete-González, Josep Quer, Raquel Veiga Busto, Aida Villaécija, Giorgia Zorzi

Bibliographical reference for citation

The entire grammar:
Quer, Josep and Gemma Barberà (eds.). 2020. A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series). (www.thesignhub.eu/grammar/lsc) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Chapter:
Surname, Name. 2020. Syntax: 3. Coordination and Subordination. In Josep Quer and Gemma Barberà (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series). (www.thesignhub.eu/grammar/lsc) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Section:
Surname, Name. 2020. Phonology: 1.1.1.2. Finger configuration. In Josep Quer and Gemma Barberà (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series). (www.thesignhub.eu/grammar/lsc) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

Surname, Name. 2020. Syntax: 3.1.2.1.3. Manual markers in disjunctive coordination. In Josep Quer and Gemma Barberà (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series). (www.thesignhub.eu/grammar/lsc) (Accessed 31-10-2021)