Gestures with modal functions in Catalan Sign Language- poster-English
In this paper we present the results of two studies on the expression of modality in
Catalan Sign Language (LSC). We focus on the gestures that accomplish modal
functions, that is, gestures that convey the signer's perspective on the certainty,
possibility, and truth of information in the discourse as well as non epistemic meanings.
Previous studies on LSC have identified modality grams and their gestural source, but
none of them has considered the contribution of gestures expressing modal stance.
This paper draws on data collected from two studies on modality in LSC, comprising
five semi-structured interviews. In the first study, a deaf signer interviews individually
three adults. The second study is based on two interviews with teenagers (two girls and
two boys).
We describe the form, use and distribution of four 'palm-up gestures' that accomplish
four functions: permission, uncertainty, possibility and certainty. We compare our
results with previous studies focusing on spoken languages (Kendon, 2004) as well as
signed languages (Conlin et al., 2003; Engberg-Pedersen, 2002; McKee & Wallingford,
2011).
Furthermore, the investigation leads us to consider three theoretical issues. Firstly, we
define the criteria to categorize the palm-up units as gestures versus discourse markers
or modality grams, in the grammaticalization process (Amunsden & Harvolser, 2011;
Kendon, 2004; McNeill, 2005). Secondly, considering them as gestures with modal
function challenges the grammaticalization theory that claims that manual gestures enter
in the sign language as lexical morphemes and later develop a grammatical meaning
(Wilcox et al. 2010). Finally, we characterize some use of these gestures that do not
refer to performative or descriptive use (Nuyts, 2001), but show the signer's attitude in a
fictive interaction (Pascual, 2006) or virtual speech act (Langacker, 1999).
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