Metaphor in American Sign Language

Typographical Treatments

Typographical Treatments The conventions used by other linguists for identifying metaphors and similes have been modified in this text to accommodate the inclusion of American Sign Language glosses, metaphors, and similes . The following treatments have been applied: ASL glosses: small capital letters (GIVE) English metaphors: bold lowercase letters (the mind is a container) English similes: bold, italic lowercase letters (she runs like a gazelle) ASL metaphors bold small capital letters (IDEAS IN EXISTENCE ARE STRAIGHT) ASL similes italic small capital letters (INDEX LIKE TRAIN) xv What mysteries are embedded in a sign? The simplest words in ASL have passed through the hands of thousands of deaf people. The motions have been repeated millions of times. What happens to the shape and to the meaning of common signs in ASL when they have been breathed on and embodied daily by deaf people? What metaphors have mapped onto the knuckles, fingers, skin, and bones of a sign? ...