Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University

PDE – Steven D. Collins
Introduction
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To effectively interpret in a tactile signed language, an interpreter for the Deaf-Blind
must carefully observe the manner in which information is tactually presented. This includes
non-manual signals such as the grammatical use of space, as well as movement in time and
space. Deaf-Blind persons who use and depend on a tactile signed language as their primary
language cannot acquire or perceive grammatical information through visual means. The visual
acquisition of syntactic markers on the face and shoulder in ASL must occur through the tactile
expression of syntactic markers on the hands in TASL.
One of the major implications that I have found in my earlier studies is that further
research is necessary in all syntactic aspects. This doctoral program and PDE does that. Hence,
interpreters for the Deaf-Blind will be able to express syntactic markers in their tactile
production of TASL, rather than simply relying on the non-manual markers of ASL. As well,
my research proves that this transformation must occur during the ASL to TASL cognitive
interpreting process.
1.3. Scope.
In this PDE the focus is on a specific category of Deaf-Blind persons who have a
condition known as Usher's Syndrome Type I. This condition generally results from a
degeneration, over time, of the retina, resulting in most cases, in the person being nearly totally
deaf-blind by the age of 30 to 35. In addition to this pattern of becoming blind, Deaf-Blind
persons with Usher's Syndrome Type I are congenitally deaf from birth. In view of the fact that
the onset of their becoming blind occurs later in life after they have acquired fluent
communication in ASL, these individuals will make the transition from ASL, a visual language
that involves manual, facial, and other body movements, to TASL, a non-visual and tactile
language, as their vision diminishes. An important element of the research relates to aspects of
ASL that become apparent in this later tactile phase of deaf-blind communication. This study is
concerned with a specific group of individuals who identify themselves as culturally Deaf, who
are also blind.
This researcher found that there is a very small body of research on Tactile Sign
Language. This appears to be due primarily to a lack of knowledge and skills associated with
interpreter training programs, thus leading to the heart of the PDE. Research on TASL and
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