-
Chapter 4
- Gallaudet University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
81 Chapter 4 Phonological Variation 1: Variation in Handshape This chapter presents the quantitative analyses of the first of three target phonological variables: signs produced with a 1 handshape. We explain how the data were coded and present the results of the quantitative analyses of linguistic and social factors. Overall, the analyses presented here and in the following chapter show that phonological variation in ASL is largely systematic. Like variation in spoken languages, it is subject to both linguistic and social constraints. The results of quantitative analyses also suggest, however, that social factors particular to the Deaf community influence signers’ choices among variable linguistic forms. Of particular note is the fact that grammatical function strongly constrains variation in 1 handshape signs as well as in the two variables considered in the following chapter, deaf and the location of a class of signs represented by the verb know. A DISTINCTIVE-FEATURE MODEL OF ASL As discussed in chapter 1, earlier studies of variation in ASL were based on simultaneous rather than sequential models of sign language structure. Recently, however, sequential models have been developed. These models appear far more suitable for the study of variation than earlier simultaneous models. One challenge for our study, then, was to define the variable and the linguistic constraints within a sequential distinctive-feature model. This section summarizes the aspects of a distinctive -feature model of ASL sign structure and handshape articulation that are relevant to this study, that of Liddell and Johnson (Liddell and Johnson 1989). In Liddell and Johnson’s autosegmental model, signs consist of sequentially ordered units (Liddell 1984). Each unit is defined by whether 2714 GUP SVA Chapter 04 6/28/01 10:51 AM Page 81 82 : p h o n o l o g i c a l v a r i a t i o n 1 the hands are static (hold segments) or dynamic (movement segments). Each segment is an articulatory bundle that includes the features of handshape, location, palm orientation, and nonmanual signals (facial expressions ). States of the hands, location, palm orientation, and finger configuration (or handshape) are thus described as articulatory features attaching to hold or movement segments. We focus here on the features that describe handshapes. In ASL the thumb and fingers move independently of one another, so distinctive-feature models specify how the thumb and each finger are positioned in any handshape. For example, as table 4.1 shows, to describe the 1 handshape variable, we looked at three kinds of features that define the position of the fingers. The position of the thumb also varies in sign production. Table 4.2 shows three kinds of features that specify the position of the thumb during articulation of a sign. Table 4.1. Features of the Fingers that Describe ASL Handshapes Feature Type Description 1. Selected fingers These features specify which of the four fingers are selected, that is, which fingers are salient in the handshape: [!"# index selected], [!"# middle selected ], [!"# ring selected], [!"# pinky selected]. 2. Selected fingers up These features specify whether the selected fingers are up or down, that is, pointing away from the palm or curled into the palm. 3. Finger joint alignment These features specify whether the fingers are bent or straight at any particular joint. Table 4.2. Features of the Thumb that Describe ASL Handshapes Feature Type Description 1. Thumb opposed This feature specifies whether the thumb is aligned with the fingers or positioned so its pad faces the palm: [!"#opposed]. 2. Align with fingers These features specify whether the thumb is on the same plane as the palm or out of alignment with the palm. 3. Thumb joint These features specify which joints of the thumb alignment are bent or are straight. 2714 GUP SVA Chapter 04 6/28/01 10:51 AM Page 82 [3.238.62.124] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 13:56 GMT) Phonological Variation 1 : 83 To show how these features combine to form part of the definition of a segment, a picture of the sign one is shown in figure 4.1. one has the 1 handshape that is our focus; this handshape appears in many other signs unrelated to numbers, such as for, think, and discuss. We explain first the configuration of the segmental tier and then the distinctive features, which are important for understanding the 1 handshape variable. Figure 4.1 shows an ASL sign —one —that consists of a single phonetic segment. On the segmental tier, the segment is designated...