Also see: ASL Parameters
A researcher writes :
Dear Dr. Bill,
Since ASL uses five parameters: 1. Handshape, 2. NMM'S, 3. Location,
4. Sign Orientation and 5.Movement, I was wondering which of these
would be considered the least impactful. i.e. could one of these
parameters be eliminated and the meaning be maintained?
- Chad
Chad,
Actually ASL uses a lot more parameters than just five. The five you
list just happen to be the some of the easiest for people to lump
stuff into and wrap their minds around.
Why does "movement" get to be a parameter but "non-movement" (a
hold) doesn't? Why not acceleration or deceleration? Why not "path?"
Or "proximity?" How about rate of transition? How about muscle
tension within the sign? The acronym NMM's (non-manual markers) is
plural thus indicating "more than one."
Why lump eyebrow movements
in with shoulder raises, head tilts, or mouth morphemes?
Heh. Some
"linguist" somewhere wrote down a list of five general dividing
lines and called 'em parameters and ta da -- that is how many people
think there are. However, sure, the five you list are the main ones
recognized.
To answer your question, if any "one" of those "five" parameters
could be considered the least important I'd say (for a great many
signs) it is "movement." Many signs have no movement other than a
transitional movement "into position." For example, take four
pictures of someone signing: MY MOM LOVE ME. (My mom loves me.") Any
skilled signer could look at those pictures (which are devoid of
movement) and tell you exactly what is being signed -- and what is
meant.
However, for other signs movement "is" important and the least
important aspect is the handshape. For example someone could sign: I
WORK NOW-DAY ("I work today.") and it would be fairly obvious what
is meant even if the only handshape allowed was an "S" shape.
- Dr. V
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