Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University

PDE – Steven D. Collins
Methods
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3.2. Coding and maintenance of the videotapes and
database
A previous study on Tactile Sign Language by Karen Petronio, Val Dively and their
assistants used a software program called Filemaker Pro and transcription software developed in
Germany for use in coding sign language data. This researcher decided not to follow this
method. For the analysis of the 50-minute conversation between two deaf-blind men, a database
was developed using a transcription format which indicates specific symbols for each utterance.
The entire conversation was analyzed and each occurrence of an adverb in the conversation was
entered into an Excel spreadsheet according to six categories as discussed in more detail in the
next section. During the transcriptions the code “C” and “D” were used for the two subjects.
From the pilot study, various past studies on the structure of ASL, and from recent
studies on ASL variation there are a variety of features that have been identified as target
features/variables for study. This paper focuses exclusively on adverbs. Information on these
features was entered into the database along with information on the linguistic environment in
which they appear, their grammatical category, their phonological form, and other information
that was determined to be relevant, or potentially relevant. This is in addition to considering
usual social constraints such as age, gender, educational background, audiological status of
parents and siblings, and the age at which ASL was acquired. The following information was
obtained from the Deaf-Blind informants:
The age at which they used Tactile ASL for the first time
The age at which they started using Tactile ASL as their primary receptive means of
communication.
The age at which they first became aware of the process of Tactile ASL.
Their degree of involvement in the Deaf-Blind community.
How often do they interact with other Tactile ASL users?
This information was included in the database for later study and research concerning variability.
The purpose for analyzing the data was to account for and describe variation that occurs
between Tactile ASL and standard ASL. The analysis involved a quantitative and qualitative
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