1.3.5. Attention callers

Since imperatives are means for eliciting a specific behaviour from the addressee, imperative clauses are frequently preceded or accompanied by the attention getters, as the one below.

 

                           

         Figure: An attention-caller sign

 

The use of this sign is not limited to imperative constructions. Indeed, it is used anytime a signer needs to call for attention (e.g. before making an important announcement to a group of signers).