3.3.1.3. Conative
Conative aspect in LSC is expressed through the interruption in the articulation of the sign. Nevertheless, the interruption may be different depending on the phonological characteristics of the verb. If the verb has a trajectory movement, it will display only a short fragment of the trajectory. If the verb has a repeated movement, it will display only one repetition at most. Finally, verbs without any movement display only the initial handshape. Facial expressions accompanying this type of aspect are raised eyebrows, eyes wide open and tense lips.
explaincon 3ask1.
‘I was about to explain it to him when he asked me.’
(based on Ribera, 2015: 314)
In the example above, the sign explain is interrupted by the sign ask. This interruption causes a non-finished articulation. The sign is executed with one repetition (instead of two) and a shorter fragment of the trajectory movement.