3.7.2.2. Number
There are three types of number: singular, plural, and a numerically indicated group of persons from dual up to five persons.
The expression of dual (two of us/you/them), involves either V-handshape (or V-handshape with base joint of the middle finger flexed) with straight movement between the loci of the antecedents of the pronouns in the signing space.
The expression of persons between three and five is done by 3-handshape (three of us/you/them), Open-4-handshape (four of us/you/them), and 5-handshape (five of us/you/them) respectively, and all three have a circular movement. These are cases of numeral incorporation [Syntax – 4.3.4.]. These numeric pronouns are homonyms of (have the same shape as) one set of reciprocal pronouns [Lexicon – 3.7.4.]
The person paradigm with different numbers is shown in the following table:
Person paradigm of pronouns
|
|
Singular |
Plural |
Numerically indicated group of persons (two to five) (examples below are given from dual) |
|
First |
1-handshape, Bent-Flat-handshape) |
1-handshape with circular movement |
V-handshape with straight movement (expresses ‘two of us’) |
|
Second |
1-handshape and Flat-handshape |
1-handshape with arc movement |
V-handshape with straight movement (expresses ‘two of you’) |
|
Third |
1-handshape and Flat-handshape |
1-handshape with circular movement |
+ V-handshape with straight movement (expresses ‘two of them’) |
The variations of personal pronouns are shown below:
ıx(B)2 ıx (x)2
ıx(B)3 ıx (x)3
ıx1pl
ıx2pl
ıx3pl
two_of_us
two_of_you
two_of_them