Chapter 10
Phonetics

Assignment 1

Try to find five, but at least three, different pronunciations of the same (frequent) sign in a specific sign language on DVDs, CD-ROMs, or the Internet. Use, for instance, the fables told by signers from three different sign languages, which can be downloaded from http://​sign​-lang​.ruhosting​.nl​/echo. Describe the articulation of these signs in terms of the joints involved.

Three examples from SASL can be considered. What can vary without changing meaning?

a.

SASL ‘man’ (Source: NID, SA)

SASL: man: Variation in: Length of movement, precise location on chin, size of hand-internal movement.

JOINTS: Elbow joint of arm; knuckle joint of index finger.

b.

SASL ‘woman’ (Source: NID, SA)

SASL: woman: Variation in: Start and end position on chest, spreading of two fingers, contact thumb.

JOINTS: Elbow joint of arm; wrist joint of arm.

c.

SASL ‘afternoon’ (Source: NID, SA)

SASL: afternoon: Variation in: Size of movement, position in neutral space.

JOINTS: Shoulder joint; elbow joint of arm.