The degree or intensity of the adjective can be encoded through the simultaneous modification of the sign for the adjective. This can be done by modifying its manual articulation and/or by adding specific non-manual markers simultaneously occurring with it. In LIS, intensive and approximative modifications can be observed. In what follows, we present the manual and non-manual strategies conveying these meanings.
The intensive modification is used to express a high degree on the semantic scale of the adjective. The form of the adjectival sign is usually modified in the movement component: i) it can be slower, and slightly hold at the beginning of the articulation, and ii) it can be larger or restricted. If the adjective is a one-handed sign in its citation form, the non-dominant hand may become active to copy the dominant hand. Such phonological addition is another strategy to reflect intensive meaning. The non-manuals that are usually adopted to convey intensification are furrowed eyebrows (fe) and wide-open eyes (we). To illustrate these manual and non-manual strategies, compare the citation form of the adjective strong (a) with its intensified version (b).
a. strong
we
fe
b. strong
‘Very strong’
To express a high degree of intensification, the beginning of the sign might be characterized by a long tense hold and closed eyes (ce), as shown below.
ce we
good
‘Very good’
A special case that needs to be mentioned is the sign beautiful. Apparently, this is the only adjective in LIS whose form can be modified by a manual bound morpheme to convey intensive meaning. For more details, see MORPHOLOGY 2.1.1.
On the other hand, the approximative modification is used to express a low degree on the semantic scale of the adjective. It usually affects the movement component of the sign, making it look restricted and more relaxed. If the adjective is a two-handed sign in its citation form, the non-dominant hand may undergo weak hand drop (PHONOLOGY 3.1.4). Such phonological reduction is another strategy to reflect approximative meaning. The non-manuals that are usually adopted to convey approximation are squint eyes (sq) and sometimes raised eyebrows (re). To illustrate these manual and non-manual strategies, compare the citation form of the adjective mischievous (a) with its approximative version (b).
a. mischievous
sq
re
b. mischievous
‘Sort of mischievous’