Deontic modals are always expressed through a lexical sign. Each of the lexical signs used in the different types of deontic modality are accompanied by some specific non-manual markers. Some of the non-manual markers found in these elements in LSC are furrowed eyebrows, forward body lean, and head thrust or intense repeated head nod along with the manual sign. However, these non-manuals can vary depending on the type of modal. In what follows a description of the non-manuals accompanying some modal expressions is offered. Moreover, this section will show how non-manuals accompanying modal markers can spread sometimes over other parts of the sentence.
In LSC deontic modal markers of obligation are expressed primarily through the signs must-0, must-5and should-0 [LEXICON 3.3.3]. must-0 is expressed along with furrowed eyebrows and a repeated head nod to the sides. These non-manuals may spread over the whole clause, like in the example below.
fe, hn
study more must-0.
‘You must study more.’
must-5 instead, is coarticulated with furrowed eyebrows, protruded tongue and an optional head nod. In the example below, the non-manual markers spread only over the modal sign.
fe, pt, hn
woman child vegetables eat must-5.
‘The girl must eat vegetables.’
should-0 is realized by the same manual sign as must-0, but it is articulated with a laxer movement and different non-manuals [LEXICON 3.3.3.1]. This modal marker is accompanied by raised eyebrows and a head nod to the sides that may spread over the whole sentence, as shown below.
re, hn
study more should-0.
‘You should study more.’
In LSC ability is mainly expressed through the signs can and be_able. The modal can expressing ability is articulated along with furrowed eyebrows and a repeated head nod to the sides. The head nod found here is quicker than the one shown before for must-0 and additionally there is a specific mouth gesture: lips curved down.
fe, hn, lcd
ix1 sea dive one minute can.
‘I can hold a minute under water.
The modal be_able is expressed together with round lips and the mouth gesture [po] consisting in round lips that end up opened, like shown in the video example below.
fe, hn, [po]
ix1 sea dive one minute be_able.
‘I am able to hold a minute under water.’
Permission in LSC is expressed mainly with the sign allow. The modal allow is articulated sometimes with the mouth gesture [ppr], as exemplified below.
[pprr]
out playground sign allow.
‘It is allowed to sign in the playground.’
Lastly, intention or volition in LSC is expressed with the sign want. This sign is articulated usually with a mouth gesture that consists in biting the bottom lip.
bbl
want ice-cream.
‘(I) want ice-cream.’