Pinky Extension and Eye Gaze: Language Use in Deaf Communities

Eye Gaze and Pronominal Reference in American Sign Language

Eye Gaze and Pronominal Reference in American Sign Language Melanie Metzger For many years linguists have focused on the role of the hands in the phonology and syntax of signed languages. More recently, researchers have focused on other aspects of signed languages, including meaningful forms conveyed by body movements, head tilts, and eyebrow, cheek, and mouth movements. These aspects of signed languages, appropriately labeled nonmanual signals, appear to function at times as grammatical markers such as negatives (Baker 1976a; Baker and Cokely 1980; Bellugi and Fischer 1972; Dively 1996; Liddell 1980; Stokoe 1960); topicalizers (Baker and Cokely 1980; Fischer 1975; Friedman 1976; Liddell 1978, 1980); and adverbs (Bahan 1996; Baker 1976a, 1976b; Coulter 1978; Liddell 1980). They even carry a variety of discourse functions both intralingually (Engberg-Pedersen 1995; Metzger 1995; Pizzuto, Giuranna, and Gambino 1990; Roy 1989; Wallin 1987; Winston 1993) and as a result of contact between a signed and a spoken language (Boyes Braem 1984; Davis 1989; Lucas and Valli 1989, 1992; Schermer 1990; Vogt-Svendson 1984; Winston 1989). Because signed languages have numerous potential articulators serving a variety of functions, perhaps simultaneously, many areas are ripe for investigation . For example, some researchers have concentrated on pronominal reference in signed languages such as American Sign Language (ASL), while others have examined nonmanual signals, such as eye gaze. One area still open to research is the study of pronouns as they coincide with or are replaceable by eye gaze. The quantitative analysis of eye-gaze direction and its relationship to pronominal reference in ASL narrative discourse is the focus of this paper. LITERATURE REVIEW Previous research has established that eye gaze functions in a variety of ways in ASL. Overall, there is some basic agreement in the literature regarding functions of eye gaze, which has been found to regulate turn taking , mark constituent boundaries in conversational ASL discourse (Baker 1976a, 1976b, 1977; Baker and Padden 1978), and indicate constituent boundaries in ASL narrative discourse (Bahan and Supalla 1995). In addition , Bellugi and Fischer (1972), Friedman (1975), Baker (1976a), Bendixen (1976), Lillo-Martin and Klima (1990), and Meier (1990) all discuss the role of eye gaze in role playing and direct quotation in ASL. Bellugi and Fischer (1972) and Bendixen (1976) distinguish between the noncontact eye gaze of a nonnarrator "character" and the eye contact maintained during the narration of a story. In addition, Meier (1990) suggests that a narrator may sustain eye gaze at a location associated with a character in the narrative without gazing at the addressee, even though no direct quotation occurs. Fischer (1975) discusses the gaze used by nonnarrator characters within a narrative or quoted conversation. Baker (1976a) points out that, although eye gaze in direct quotes is from the referent (the person making the quote), in pronominal reference eye gaze is toward the referent. Further, Lillo-Martin and Klima (1990) support this notion by suggesting that eye gaze is one signifier of changes in frame-of-reference. In another discussion of eye gaze shifting in its reference, Bahan (1996) proposes that eye gaze marks object agreement syntactically, except when articulatory obstacles occur. An articulatory obstacle might be firstperson reference, since the eyes cannot gaze inward toward the signer. Baker (1976a, 1976b), Baker and Cokely (1980), Bellugi and Fischer (1972), Bendixen (1976), Liddell (1980), Lillo-Martin and Klima (1990), Meier (1990), and Padden (1990) also discuss the role of eye gaze in pronominal reference. Baker (1976a, 1976b), Bendixen (1976), and Baker and Cokely (1980) examine the occurrence of eye gaze as pronominal reference with or without the manual sign. Bendixen (1976) suggests that a combination of eye gaze and lexical reference is used only for emphasis . In contrast, Baker (1976a) and Baker and Cokely (1980) discuss the secretive or discreet quality of pronominal reference without a manual component. Bahan refers to the use of eye gaze without a manual index as a "whisper" register (1996, 270). Although the interpretations of Eye Gaze and Pronominal Reference in ASL I7I gaze-only reference differ somewhat, researchers seem to agree that eye gaze alone can serve a referential function. Some researchers discuss the manual index and eye gaze as providing complementary information. For example, Bellugi and Fischer (1972) and Baker and Cokely (1980) indicate that eye gaze serves to distinguish person reference in ASL. Lillo-Martin and Klima (1990), Meier (1990), and Padden (1990) appear not to support that notion, at least not grammatically , since Padden...