Clip 4: Phonological Variation

Summary

This transcript explores variation in American Sign Language (ASL), highlighting phonological and lexical differences that reflect regional, social, and linguistic factors. It covers how signs for the same word, such as 'deaf,' can differ by location, handshape, movement, and orientation. It also addresses how variations in ASL occur across discourse types and among different communities. Factors like age, gender, and socioeconomic status influence how signs are used. The study of ASL variation provides insights into language evolution, offering a unique perspective on both signed and spoken language dynamics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Variation in ASL includes different ways of signing the same word or concept, reflecting sociolinguistic diversity in the Deaf community.
• 😀 In Boston, Deaf people typically produce the sign for 'deaf' by moving from the ear to the chin, while in Virginia, the movement is reversed.
• 😀 Phonological variation in ASL can involve changes in handshape, location, palm orientation, and movement.
• 😀 Movement changes are visible in variations of signs like 'cute' and 'help,' with some signs having multiple possible handshapes.
• 😀 ASL signs are made of movements and holds that may be added, deleted, or rearranged, affecting the meaning and structure of phrases.
• 😀 Signs like 'father' and 'study' change when used together in a phrase, with movement often added or adjusted.
• 😀 Some ASL signs, like 'snow' and 'lose one's temper,' often have deleted syllables in their variations.
• 😀 Lexical variation is seen at the sign level, with different forms of signs, such as multiple signs for 'pizza.'
• 😀 Sentence-level variation in ASL can omit pronouns, as seen in the sentence 'I think' versus 'scientists think.'
• 😀 The study of sign variation helps us understand the broader concept of language variation, including comparisons with spoken languages and insights into linguistic and social influences on language change.

Q & A

What are sociolinguistic variables in American Sign Language (ASL)?

Sociolinguistic variables in ASL refer to variations in how signs are produced within different communities, influenced by factors like region, age, gender, and social background.

How do deaf communities in Boston and Virginia differ in their signing of the word 'deaf'?

In Boston, the sign for 'deaf' is produced by moving the hand from the ear to the chin, while in Virginia, the sign is made by moving the hand from the chin to the ear.

What types of phonological variation can occur in ASL signs?

Phonological variation in ASL includes changes in handshape, location, palm orientation, and movement. For example, variations of the sign for 'cute' can show changes in handshape, and variations of 'no' show different locations.

How do movement changes affect the sign 'help' in ASL?

The sign for 'help' in ASL can show movement variation, where the motion of the hands or the way they are positioned may differ depending on the community or region.

What is an example of lexical variation in ASL?

An example of lexical variation is the different signs for 'pizza' used in various regions or communities. Lexical variation affects the entire sign rather than just parts of it.

How can sentence-level variations in ASL be observed?

Sentence-level variation in ASL can be seen in how signs are used to structure sentences. For instance, the sentence 'I think' can be signed differently from 'scientists think', omitting the pronoun.

What are the linguistic constraints that affect sign variation in ASL?

Linguistic constraints include factors like the signs that occur before or after the variable sign, the grammatical function of the sign, and the type of discourse (e.g., conversation, lecture, or story).

What social constraints influence variation in ASL?

Social constraints include factors like region, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and the language background of the signer, such as whether they are deaf, blind, or sighted.

Why is the study of sign variation important?

Studying sign variation is important because it helps us understand how languages change over time, contrasts variations between spoken and signed languages, and reveals the influence of both linguistic and social factors.

What is meant by 'phonological variation' in the context of ASL?

Phonological variation refers to changes in the basic components of a sign, such as the handshape, location, orientation, or movement, which may differ depending on region or community.