Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University

PDE – Steven D. Collins
Findings and Interpretations
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4.1.2. Time
Adverbials of time answer one question: When? Following are four examples of this
usage as taken from the transcription of the subjects’ video-taped conversation:
4.1.2.1. Example One (Time)
Gloss from Transcription:
English Translation:
Two years ago …
Visual ASL:
TWO^YEAR PAST / TWO
The signer uses a non-manual production of the sign with a facial expression of
the head moving from up to down accompanied by a downward eye gaze. The
signer would not add the additional TWO at the end of the sign.
Tactile ASL:
In the production of the sign, the Deaf-Blind individual adds an additional
TWO at the end of the sentence
Analysis of Variation:
In the visual ASL production of the sign, the use of a non-tactile facial
expression is sufficient to communicate the adverb. There is no need for the
signer to repeat the additional TWO at the end of the sentence. In the Tactile
ASL production of the sign, a Deaf-Blind individual is not able to observe the
non-tactile portion of the sign and substitutes a second occurrence of TWO at
the end of the sentence to clarify the fact that this is an adverb specifying time.
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