A Grammar of Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT)

1.4.2. Asymmetrical signs

In asymmetrical (or unbalanced) signs, the non-dominant hand functions as the location for the dominant hand and does not articulate an independent movement. Which hand fulfills which role is, similarly to one-handed signs, not phonologically distinctive. The handshapes can be the same or different, but in the latter case, the non-dominant hand cannot take every handshape from the phonemic inventory (PHONOLOGY 1.1.1). Consider first the asymmetrical sign divide in Figure 2.30, in which both hands have the w –handshape, and in which the dominant hand moves while the non-dominant hand stays still, thus functioning as a location:

Figure 2.32. Handshapes that can appear on the non-dominant hand in asymmetrical signs (number 6, 7 and 11 © Dutch Sign Centre).

The signs tea and support (displayed in Figure 2.31) are of a different type, since in these signs, the two hands have different handshapes. According to the dominance condition of Battison, in signs in which the two hands take different handshapes, one of the hands must function as the location (i.e., be the non-dominant hand), and this non-dominant hand takes a handshape from a limited set. NGT adheres to this condition. In tea, the non-dominant hand has the <-handshape and functions as the location of the dominant hand. The dominant hand is the only hand with a movement component and has the #-handshape. In support, both hands move, but the non-dominant hand is not moving independently. Movement of the non-dominant hand is only possible in asymmetrical signs in which the two hands have constant contact.

The handshapes that the non-dominant hand can take in asymmetrical signs are depicted in Figure 2.32 the first three being the most frequent ones (indicated by a frame).