1.2. Location
In LSC, the main locations for the articulation of signs are i) head, ii) torso, iii) arm, iv) non-dominant hand, and v) neutral space. These five major locations can be further divided into smaller more specific locations:
i) Head: whole face, top of the head, forehead, ear, cheeks, eyes, nose, lips, chin, neck.
ii) Torso: shoulders, chest, belly.
iii) Arm: upper arm, lower arm, elbows.
iv) Non-dominant hand: wrist, palm, back of the hand, fingers, radial, ulnar.
v) Neutral space: high neutral space, low neutral space.
Some of these specific locations are distinctive in LSC as we may find minimal pairs that differ only in this parameter. In the example below, the sign remember is articulated in the forehead whereas the sign difficult is articulated near the lips of the signer. While the sign worry is articulated in front of the forehead, the sign speak is articulated in front of the lips.
a) remember vs. difficult
b) worry vs. speak
Similarly, the signs just_in_case and sound form a minimal pair that differ only in the location of the signs. The former, is articulated in the forehead whereas the latter is articulated in the ear.
just_in_case vs. sound
The whole face and the chest are also contrastive locations as shown in the examples below. The sign tanned is articulated in the face whether the sign comfortable is articulated in the chest. Both signs have the same handshape, orientation, and movement, differing only in the location/place of articulation.
tanned vs. comfortable
The neck and the belly may also create minimal pairs. The sign snore is articulated in the front part of the neck, whereas the sign belly_noise is articulated in the belly. Again, both signs share all parameters except the location.
snore vs. belly_noise
Finally, the higher part of space may create some minimal pairs when contrasting with the lower part of space. In the example below, the sign bra is articulated in the upper part of the chest whereas the sign underwear is articulated in the lower part of the torso.
bra vs. underwear
Some specific locations are directly motivated by iconicity. For instance, all pointing signs that contact a specific location in the body are iconically used to refer to that part of the body.
a) nose
b) mouth
Moreover, signs articulated in the eyes commonly refer to eye-related signs, such as glasses, cry, blind, among others.
a) glasses
b) cry
c) blind
Similarly, signs articulated in the nose are frequently (not always) related to the sense of smell or other functions of the nose (smell, breathe, etc.).
a) smell
b) breathe
Other locations have iconic motivations through metaphors. For example, signs related with brain activity are articulated in the forehead, as shown below.
a) think
b) reflect_on
c) worry
d) remember
Also, signs related with emotions are located in the chest, as illustrated below.
a) feel
b) anxiety
Within the group of emotional states, there are some that are not only located in the chest area, but directly in the area of the heart, since these states/emotions are metaphorically connected to this organ. All examples below are located in the area of the heart.
a) love
b) pity
c) fall_in_love