Nonmanual Negation & Assertion in Argentine Sign Language

The present work presents the first evidence drawn from linguistic research on nonmanual features in Argentine Sign Language (LSA). These are part of the language and not merely “background” behaviors. The data consists of videotaped, elicited short texts and free conversations in which changes in signer appearance are linked temporally to negative and assertive propositions. Each type of sentence was analyzed separately, and its nonmanual features described in detail. Different nonmanual behaviors occur with negative and assertive clauses. Although the whole constellation of features for each type differed, some of the features appeared systematically—head movement having a predominant role. Negative statements generally include a negative manual sign; nevertheless, a nonmanual adverb was required in some constructions. The sign DECIR-NO (SAY-NO) functions in LSA as an agreement negative verb. There is also exists an affirmative agreement verb DECIR-SI (SAY-YES), and a nonmanual affirmative adverb.