1.3.2. Simultaneous

In simultaneous compounds, handshape, location, or movement assimilations occur. The simultaneous compounds involving fingerspelling where handshape assimilation occurs are called initialization [Lexicon – 2.2.2.1]. In initialization, the handshape of the sign is usually the alphabetical handshape for the first letter of the corresponding word from the surrounding spoken language; this handshape replaces the handshape of a lexical item (e.g. the sign wear signed with a 3-Handshape for ‘jacket’). Other such examples are listed below.

 

           

          l^blue

        lacivert (Turkish)

‘navy blue’

 

          p∫head 

          psikoloji (Turkish)

‘psychology’

 

(r.f. Taşçı 2012: 56)

 

In another type of simultaneous compound involving fingerspelling, a fingerspelled letter and a classifier are articulated simultaneously. For instance, the form meaning ‘playstation’ consists of the letter P on the dominant hand and a classifier on the non-dominant hand (and optionally a second independent sign play). 

 

 

 

p^CL(x):'flat_object'^play

'playstation’