31.12.2013 Views

Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University

Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University

Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Abstract<br />

This PDE discusses an aspect of l<strong>in</strong>guistic use of adverbial morphemes as applied to a<br />

s<strong>in</strong>gle case study of <strong>Tactile</strong> American Sign Language (T<strong>ASL</strong>) as used by some American Deaf-<br />

Bl<strong>in</strong>d signers. T<strong>ASL</strong>, a variation of the visual language recognized as American Sign Language<br />

(<strong>ASL</strong>), is not visually based. Significantly, the term T<strong>ASL</strong>, while descriptive of the language<br />

used by deaf-bl<strong>in</strong>d persons, is not officially recognized among the members of this community.<br />

For the purposes of this study, the use of the term T<strong>ASL</strong> describes not only an approach towards<br />

build<strong>in</strong>g a bridge of understand<strong>in</strong>g of the cultural norms and language habits of deaf-bl<strong>in</strong>d<br />

persons, but as well, this study affords a locus for the improvement of the <strong>in</strong>terpret<strong>in</strong>g process for<br />

the American deaf-bl<strong>in</strong>d community.<br />

In <strong>ASL</strong> adverbial morphemes occur on the face and are non-manual signals that the Deaf-<br />

Bl<strong>in</strong>d signer does not see. This requires the <strong>ASL</strong> signer to make a slight modification, from these<br />

“<strong>in</strong>visible” non-manual morphemes to a tactile morpheme.<br />

The researcher presents a structural analysis of a conversation between two Deaf-Bl<strong>in</strong>d<br />

subjects with Usher’s Syndrome Type I who have used T<strong>ASL</strong> for at least ten years. The study is<br />

based on a 50-m<strong>in</strong>ute videotaped conversation utiliz<strong>in</strong>g multiple video views of key angles for a<br />

detailed analysis of tactile components, non-manual signals and sign<strong>in</strong>g space.<br />

Accrued data concentrates on six fundamental features of adverbial morphemes <strong>in</strong>tr<strong>in</strong>sic<br />

to T<strong>ASL</strong>: manner/degree, time, duration, purpose, frequency, and place/position/direction. A<br />

total of 284 sign sequences were observed and analyzed compar<strong>in</strong>g the tactile sign<strong>in</strong>g with the<br />

same message signed <strong>in</strong> visual American Sign Language.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!