A Grammar of Turkish Sign Language (TİD)

5.1.2. Modifications of manual signs and non-manual modifiers

In TİD, there are several ways of modifying a sign to intensify its meaning. The modification can occur by changing the internal structure of the sign such as changing the movement pattern, increasing the tension of the face and hand, and adding non-manuals such as eyebrow lowering, tilting the head back or puffed cheeks.

Changing the movement pattern into a slower movement generally denotes intensification. For instance, the sign rich has a downward movement [Phonology - 1.3.] of V-Handshape [Phonology - 1.1.1.] on the cheek [Phonology - 1.2.] but when this movement is produced at a slower rate, the sign very_rich is derived.  

 

 

 

rich

 

 

 

very_rich

                                                                        (r.f. from Dikyuva et. al. 2015: 200)

 

Changing muscle tension on the face and the hand also denotes intensification. For example, the sign fast is produced with 7-Handshape [Phonology - 1.1.1.] and it has a repetitive movement but when the movement of the hands and non-manuals are exaggerated, the sign very_fast is derived.

 

 

 

fast

 

 

 

 

 

very_fast

 

                                                               (r.f. Dikyuva et. al. 2015: 200)

 

Lastly, adding some non-manuals to the signs can denote intensification as well. For example, the sign cold is produced with both hands with Fist-Handshape and it has an inward movement from the wrist. However, when the movement becomes slower and puffing is added to the sign, it means very_cold.

 

 

 

 

cold

 

 

 

 

very_cold

                                                             (r.f. Dikyuva et. al. 2015: 201)

List of editors

Meltem Kelepir

Copyright info

© 2020 Kadir Gökgöz, Aslı Göksel, Demet Kayabaşı, Meltem Kelepir, Onur Keleş, Okan Kubus, Aslı Özkul, A. Sumru Özsoy, Burcu Saral, Hande Sevgi, Süleyman S. Taşçı

Bibliographical reference for citation

The entire grammar:
Kelepir, Meltem (ed.). 2020. A Grammar of Turkish Sign Language (TİD). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series). (https://thesignhub.eu/grammar/tid) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Chapter:
LastName, FirstName. 2020. Syntax: 3. Coordination and Subordination. In Kelepir, Meltem (ed.). 2020. A Grammar of Turkish Sign Language (TİD). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (https://thesignhub.eu/grammar/tid) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Section:
LastName, FirstName. 2020. Phonology: 1.1.1.2. Finger configuration. In Kelepir, Meltem (ed.). 2020. A Grammar of Turkish Sign Language (TİD). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (https://thesignhub.eu/grammar/tid) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

LastName, FirstName. 2020. Syntax: 3.1.2.1.3. Manual markers in disjunctive coordination. In Kelepir, Meltem (ed.). 2020. A Grammar of Turkish Sign Language (TİD). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (https://thesignhub.eu/grammar/tid) (Accessed 31-10-2021)