Current Issues in ASL Phonology

Contributors

Introduction


1. Overview


2. A Few Notes About ASL: The Language and Its Users


3. "Phonology" and Signed Languages


4. The Present Volume

References

Secondary Licensing and the Nondominant Hand in ASL Phonology


1. Introduction


2. Autosegmental Licensing


3. Levels


4. The Syllable in ASL


5. The Nondominant Hand as a Secondary Licenser


6. Word and Discourse Structure Considerations


7. Conclusion


8. Appendix: Example Signs

References

The Nature of Constraints on the Nondominant Hand in ASL


1. Introductory Remarks


2. Theories of Autosegmental Licensing


3. Models of ASL Syllable Structure


4. The Nondominant Hand in ASL Phonology


5. Summary


6. Appendix: ASL Signs

References

To Branch or Not to Branch: Underspecification in ASL Handshape Contours


1. Introduction


2. Handshape Sequences in ASL


3. Spoken Language Contour Segments


4. Featural Representation of ASL Handshapes


5. Nonbranching Representation of an ASL Contour Handshape


6. Asymmetries in Timing of ASL Contours


7. Conclusion


8. Appendix: Comparisons to Other Approaches

References

Reflections on the Nature of ASL and the Development of ASL Linguistics: Comments on Corina's Article


1. Introduction


2. ASL as a Language


3. ASL in Linguistic Theory

References

Linearization of Phonological Tiers in ASL


1. Introduction


2. The Model in Brief


3. Some Morphological Templates in Two Sign Languages


4. Temporal Interpretation of the Representation


5. Linearization


6. Consequences


7. Summary and Conclusion

References

Response to Sandler's "Linearization of Phonological Tiers in ASL"


1. Introduction


2. Applications of the Two Analyses

References

Syllables and Segments: Hold the Movement and Move the Holds!


1. Introduction


2. Segmental Models


3. Interpretations of "Segment"


4. The Lack of Phonological Utility of M and H


5. The Predictability/Redundancy of H Segments


6. Feature versus Segment Behavior


7. A Model without Segments


8. Timing and Syllable Structure


9. Theoretical Implications


10. Conclusion

References

A Psycholinguistic Perspective on Phonological Segmentation in Sign and Speech


1. Introduction


2. Why is the Debate about Segments Important?


3. Sequential Structure in ASL


4. Conclusion

References

Holds and Positions: Comparing Two Models of Segmentation in ASL


1. Introduction


2. Moras and Syllable Structure


3. The MH Account of Holds


4. The Distribution of Holds


5. Different Predictions of the Two Models


6. Summary

References

Against Movement: Comments on Liddell's Article


1. Introduction


2. Liddell's Arguments Against Perlmutter's Theory


3. Against Movement


4. Conclusion

References

Sonority and Syllable Structure in American Sign Language


1. Goals


2. Secondary Movements


3. An Explanation: Syllable Structure and the Sonority Hierarchy


4. Handshape Changes


5. The Prosodie Domain of Handshape Features: Some Contrasts Explained


6. On the Distribution of P-Syllables in Lexemes


7. What Constitutes a Well-Formed Syllable in ASL?


8. The Modality-Specific, the Language-Particular, and the Universal

References

Phrase-Level Prosody in ASL: Final Lengthening and Phrasal Contours


1. Introduction


2. Final Lengthening


3. Hand Height Contour


4. Summary and Conclusions

References

Linguistic Expression and Its Relation to Modality


1. Introduction


2. Signed Languages Are Natural Languages


3. Apparent Similarities Between Signed and Spoken Languages


4. Differences Between Signed and Spoken Languages


5. Conclusions

References

Index