3.7.1. Locative and demonstrative pronouns

Locative pronouns are pointing signs [Syntax – 4.1.1] that refer to locations. The signer may point to an actual location present in the conversational setting. Generally, when the location of the locative sign is close to the signer’s body, it means ‘here’ and when it is away from the signer’s body it means ‘there’.

The signer may also establish a locus in the signing space that refers to a location that is not present in the conversational setting. The subscripts in the examples below represent different locations (or loci of the locations) in the signing space.
 

house ixa school ixb awalkb

'I walked school from home.'

 

Demonstrative pronouns are also pointing signs and they substitute noun phrases [Syntax – 4.1.2.].

 

ixa new.

'That (pencil) is new.'

 

Singular demonstrative pronouns (‘this/that’) are articulated with a B-handshape whereas plural demonstrative pronouns (‘these/those’) are articulated with >-handshape.

 

                  
this                                                               those