This paper seeks to find empirical evidence for categorical associations between classifier types and argument structure in Sign
Language of the Netherlands (Nederlandse Gebarentaal – NGT), based on an influential proposal by Benedicto & Brentari (2004). In the light of (sign) language typology and possible
modality effects, it is of interest to investigate whether the morpho-phonological similarities of sign language classifier
predicates are associated with the same syntactic-semantic properties cross-linguistically. This paper offers three additions to
the quest: data from another sign language, an empirical approach, and a more fine-grained distinction of verb types. In an
elicitation study, signers produced classifier descriptions of verbs with different argument structures. Their responses were
analyzed for phonological handshape and classifier type. Based on the results, I conclude that (i) NGT classifier constructions
show categorical associations between argument structure and classifier type, that (ii) specifically, NGT handling and whole
entity classifier predicates may take part in a transitive-intransitive alternation, and that (iii) with respect to NGT classifier
constructions, we need to distinguish manner verbs from causative verbs.
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