Entity classifiers refer to animate and inanimate entities as a whole. They occur in combination with verbs that express the localization or movement of entities. The signers select different classifier handshapes depending on the entity the classifier refers to. In DGS, static humans and animals differ in their selected handshape. The handshape representing static humans is a spread and stretched index and middle finger (Y), whereas the handshape representing static animals is a bent thumb, index and middle finger (@). For inanimate entities, the signer can choose different classifier handshapes depending on the physical and geometrical form of the referred object. Big and square objects in DGS, like a book, are represented by a ] -handshape. On the other hand, small and flat objects, for example a coin, are represented by an # -handshape, where index finger and thumb touch each other and all other fingers are stretched.
The following table lists handshapes used with entity classifiers in DGS.
|
Classifier handshape |
Example
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coin, button
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pipe, bottle, cup
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cube, square bar
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|
|
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book, box, folder, tray, sheet of paper
|
|
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humans (static)
|
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animals (static)
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animate being (moving), stick, pen
|
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ball
|
List of entity classifier handshapes
(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 159)
Entity classifiers combine with verbs of motion and location. Those verbs are intransitive and select a single internal argument that receives the thematic role patient/theme [see Syntax 2.1.1]. Thus, the verbs are unaccusative. The following examples show entity classifiers combining with verbs of motion in DGS.
a. forest car cl(,):‘drive_through’
ʻThe car drives through the forest.ʼ
(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 156)
b. pencil cl(G):‘roll’
ʻThe pencil rolls.ʼ
(based on Glück & Pfau, 1998)
c. restaurant man cl(G):‘go_in’
ʻThe man goes into the restaurant.ʼ
(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 157)
The following examples demonstrate how entity classifiers can be used with verbs of location.
a. blackboard teacher in_front cl(Y):‘stand’
ʻThe teacher stands in front of the blackboard.ʼ
b. table bowl cl()):‘be_located_on’
ʻThe bowl is located on the table.ʼ
c. shelf books cl(]):‘be_located_in’
The books are located on the shelf.
(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2005: 91)