Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University
Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University
Adverbial Morphemes in Tactile ASL - Gallaudet University
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PDE – Steven D. Coll<strong>in</strong>s<br />
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations<br />
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Adverbs of manner or degree<br />
Adverbs of time<br />
Adverbs of frequency<br />
Adverbs of duration<br />
Adverbs of location or position<br />
Adverbs of purpose, place, or direction<br />
The transcripts of an extended conversation between two subjects were analyzed <strong>in</strong> detail<br />
and each adverb phrase <strong>in</strong> one of the above categories was compared to the way a visual <strong>ASL</strong><br />
signer would sign the sequence and the way the subjects of the study altered the language to<br />
compensate for the lack of non-manual signals. In order to collect the data, a carefully controlled<br />
setup of five video cameras was used to capture each and every handshape, motion and nuance<br />
of the sign<strong>in</strong>g technique. This extensive detail was then captured <strong>in</strong> the transcripts of the<br />
conversation. Analysis depended both on the written transcripts and the actual videotape footage<br />
of the conversation.<br />
The f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs from the analysis were significant <strong>in</strong> that they demonstrated that <strong>in</strong> almost<br />
all cases, the <strong>Tactile</strong> <strong>ASL</strong> signers had a specific and consistent system of compensations for each<br />
of the categories of adverbs observed. This is clear evidence of sociol<strong>in</strong>guistic variation. For<br />
example, <strong>in</strong> the case of adverbs of manner or degree, there is a specific pattern of extra<br />
movement of the sign<strong>in</strong>g hand with a marked tenseness of the hand and f<strong>in</strong>ger muscles. This<br />
motion and tenseness does not occur <strong>in</strong> the same sign produced by a visual <strong>ASL</strong> signer. In<br />
adverbs of time and frequency as used <strong>in</strong> T<strong>ASL</strong> shows that there is a pattern of mak<strong>in</strong>g a sign<br />
clear by the <strong>in</strong>sertion of an additional word or repeat<strong>in</strong>g a word as a compensation for the nonmanual<br />
signal.<br />
As a result of many years of experience with work<strong>in</strong>g with Deaf-Bl<strong>in</strong>d persons, this<br />
researcher has set out to formulate and demonstrate the validity of a theory of a system of nonmanual<br />
signals transposed <strong>in</strong>to <strong>Tactile</strong> <strong>ASL</strong> communication. The purpose of this research is to<br />
contribute to the effectiveness of communication for people who want to work with persons <strong>in</strong><br />
the Deaf-Bl<strong>in</strong>d community, especially with those who have Usher’s Syndrome Type I. It is my<br />
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