In addition to non-manual markings, LSC has an interrogative particle to mark exclusively polar interrogatives: the yes_noq_prt. The yes_noq_prt is a one-handed sign which is articulated with index configuration in two consecutive movements. The first movement is downwards and the second one, from the left to the right; both movements are performed in the frontal plane and involve the wrist. The second part of the sign is accompanied with an [o] mouthing. See the following sequences.
y/n
yes-no
(© Sara Cañas Peña 2015. Reprinted with permission from Cañas-Peña, 2015: 36)
The yes_noq_prt always occurs within the same prosodic unit as the rest of the interrogative and it typically appears at the end of the clause. When it is not used, the polar interrogative remains with the same word order as the declarative sentence and it is marked with non-manual marking features, which are compulsory. The following examples illustrate the same sentence performed with and without the yes_noq_prt.
y/n
a) ix2 sleep yes_noq_prt
‘Have you slept?’
y/n
b) ix2 sleep
‘Have you slept?’
(© Sara Cañas Peña 2015. Examples a-b reprinted with permission from Cañas-Peña, 2015: 36)
When the yes_noq_prt occurs, it is always marked with the prototypical non-manual marking features for LSC polar interrogatives: body and head forward, eye contact with the addressee and eyebrow movement. It is not possible to find a polar interrogative in LSC without non-manual markings over the interrogative particle. When the yes_noq_prt is used, the sign itself co-occurs with the non-manual marking. Thus, adding the sign at the very end of a declarative turns the sentence into a polar interrogative.
y/n
ix2 coke drink yes_noq_prt
‘Do you drink coke?’
(© Sara Cañas Peña 2015. Reprinted with permission from Cañas-Peña, 2015: 38)
However, the non-manual marking can optionally be spread over the whole sentence.
( ) y/n
ix2 party go yes_noq_prt
‘Are you going to the party?’ [WAITING FOR THE VIDEO]
(© Sara Cañas Peña 2015. Reprinted with permission from Cañas-Peña, 2015: 38)
Adding this interrogative particle to the polar interrogative slightly changes the interpretation of the sentence: it demands an urgent, specific and faster response. Thus, the yes_noq_prt is pragmatically marked.
y/n top
ix2 eat night want yes_noq_prt ixa dish prepare already
‘Do you want to have dinner? Because it is already prepared.’
(recreated from Quer et al. 2005)