5.1.3. Handle classifiers

Handle (or handling) classifier handshapes combine with movement verb stems that show how an entity is held or manipulated. They represent only a part of the entity they refer to, and usually this is the smallest part of the entity. The mentioned study identified eight handshapes that can function as a handle classifier. In Table X, these handshapes are shown together with a verbal description of the form of the manipulated entities, and examples of these entities: 

Table X. Handshapes that are used in handling classifier predicates, with a description of the form of the manipulated entities and examples.

Again, I would like to point out a few (morpho)syntactic characteristics. As with entity classifiers, the order of the expression of the entity and the classifier predicate is not fixed, and the entity/noun might not even be mentioned overtly. As for the relationship between classifier type and argument structure, handling classifiers combine only with transitive verbs in which they always classify the object. Note, however, that the kind of agent may influence the classifier handshape that is selected by the signer, as different types of manipulator may ask for different handling classifiers (e.g. during roleshift). In Video/Figure X, the verb ‘give’ is shown, with two different direct objects: in X.a, a glass of drinks is given, in X.b, a balloon is given: