A Grammar of Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT)

1.5.3. Other non-manuals

Other non-manual signals, articulated by the head, shoulders and torso, may be part of the lexical sign, or fulfill an affective function. An example of the former is the sign just_now, shown in Figure 2.37, where the ipsilateral shoulder is slightly raised:

just_now

 

Figure 2.37. The sign just_now, which is generally accompanied by a raised shoulder.

 

 

As for affective non-manuals, the signs for sad (Figure 2.38a) and irritated (Figure 2.38b) are often accompanied by an emotional expression on the face:

 

                                                                                                                           

a. sad

b. irritated

 

Figure 2.38. The signs sad (a) and irritated (b), which are generally accompanied by an affective non-manual expression.

 

It is known that affectual signals may interact with other prosodic signals, but whether these non-manual elements are obligatory, i.e., whether these signs are ungrammatical without the non-manuals, is yet to be studied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of editors

Ulrika Klomp & Roland Pfau
(note: this grammar is still under construction)

Copyright info

ยฉ 2021 Ulrika Klomp & Roland Pfau

Bibliographical reference for citation

The entire grammar:
Klomp, Ulrika and Roland Pfau (eds.). 2020. A Grammar of Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series). (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Chapter:
Smith, Mary. 2020. Syntax: 3. Coordination and Subordination. In Branchini, Chiara and Lara Mantovan (eds.), A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. ((http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Section:
Smith, Mary. 2020. Phonology: 1.1.1.2. Finger configuration. In Mary, Smith, Ben Smith and Carlo Smith (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

Smith, Mary. 2020. Syntax: 3.1.2.1.3. Manual markers in disjunctive coordination. In Mary, Smith, Ben Smith and Carlo Smith (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st edn. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)