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Article published In:
Gesture
Vol. 16:3 (2017) ► pp.371–395

Depicting and describing meanings with iconic signs in Norwegian Sign Language

| Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim
| Oslo University Hospital

There is growing momentum towards a theory of languaging that acknowledges the diverse semiotic repertoires people use with each other. This paper contributes to this goal by providing further evidence from signed language discourse. In particular, we examine iconic signs from Norwegian Sign Language, which can be interpreted as both “regular” lexical signs and token depictions. This dual potential is manipulated by signers in context. We analyze these signs as descriptions and depictions, two different modes of representation. Then we compare these signs to some of the description and depiction that occurs in spoken language discourse. In this way we aim to present some of the advantages of using description and depiction in analyses of communication and interaction. By doing this, we also forge links between the languaging of speakers and the languaging of signers.

Keywords: Norwegian Sign Language, languaging, gesture, iconicity, semiotic
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Meaning construction through describing and depicting
  • Describing and depicting in spoken language discourse
    • Utterance visible action
    • Enactment
    • Ideophones
  • Describing and depicting in signed language discourse
    • Depicting signs
    • Enactment
    • Signs with two faces
    • Describing and depicting swimming in NTS
    • Depicting (and describing) sleeping in Norwegian Sign Language
    • Describing and depicting falling in Norwegian Sign Language
  • Accommodating depiction and description in a theory of languaging
    • The dual potential of iconic, depictive signed language signs
    • Similarities in describing and depicting in signed and spoken language discourse
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 1 February 2018
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/gest.00001.fer
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