Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University

PDE – Steven D. Collins
Findings and Interpretations
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4.1.3. Duration
Adverbials of duration answer the question: For how long? The following shows several
examples of this usage as taken from the transcription of the subjects’ videotaped conversation:
4.1.3.1. Example One (Duration)
Gloss from Transcription:
CL: LL “signaler” #IF PUSH-BUTTON MAKE STILL LIVE VIBRATING-
ALARM+++ THAT
English Translation:
You push the button to make sure the [battery] still has a good charge [and will
vibrate the pager].
Visual ASL:
The signer uses a non-tactile production of the sign with a facial expression in
which the head tilts downwards slightly and there is a raising of the eyebrows.
STILL does not have to be explicitly signed.
Tactile ASL:
In the production of the sign STILL must be explicitly signed because a Deaf-
Blind individual cannot observe the non-manual signal. STILL is signed with
a movement of the hand followed by a hold segment and a tensing of the hand.
Analysis of Variation:
In the visual ASL production of the sign STILL, the use of a non-tactile facial
expression is sufficient to communicate the adverb. There is no need for the
signer to sign STILL. In Tactile ASL, it is necessary for STILL to be signed.
Additionally, the lengthening of the final hold segment with a tensing of the
hand is used. Pragmatically speaking, visual ASL typically uses non-manuals
to signal conditionals along the lines of “If…then…” statements in English.
The addition of signs like IF and in this case, STILL, would be redundant in
visual ASL.
Comments:
In this example STILL is an adverb of duration.
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